The value of EEG attenuation in the prediction of outcome in COVID-19 patients

• DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06354-8
• Publication Date: 2022-08-27T07:02:38Z
• Authors: Lucio Marinelli; Irene Pappalardo; Chiara Robba; Laura Saitta; Corrado Cabona; Denise Battaglini; Monia Casaleggio; Anna Bellini; Alessandra Ferrari; Iole Brunetti; Flavio Villani
• Keywords: Neuroradiology

During the COVID-19 pandemic, electroencephalography (EEG) proved to be a useful tool demonstrate brain involvement. Many studies reported non-reactive generalized slowing as most frequent pattern and epileptiform activity in minority of patients.To investigate prevalence diffuse unreactive background attenuation or suppression its correlation with outcome cohort patients.The EEGs recorded during first year pandemic were retrospectively evaluated identify main focus on occurrence low-voltage background, either attenuated (10-20 μV) suppressed (< 10 μV). We sought between in-hospital mortality EEG. In subsample patients, biomarkers inflammation, hypoxemia organ failure collected. Brain imaging was also evaluated.Among 98 EEG performed 50 consecutive prevalent (54%), followed by (26%), being latter significantly correlated an unfavourable (p = 0.0004). Survivors showed lower interleukine-6 values compared non-survivors. Patients non-survivors PaO2/FiO2 values. Neuroradiological findings very heterogeneous lesions suggestive microangiopathic substrate.EEG may more than previously associated poor outcome. SARS-CoV-2 infection result encephalopathy reduced voltage through mechanisms that are still unknown but deserve attention given negative impact prognosis.