Complications that arise during EP monitoring

Abstract

Risk of electrophysiological monitoring of the nervous system is minimal and may be compared to the risk of recording an ECG. Hazards of burn when patients are attached to multiple electrical device are minimized by observing the standard procedures of care when using electrical devices. Any leakage of current from the monitor to the patient should be less than 10 µA, and from the monitor to its case less than 100 µA. It is of importance to make sure that all electrical devices attached to the patient derive their power from a single insulation grounding. One has to keep in mind the possibility of pressure necrosis whenever electrodes are attached percutaneously to comatose or anesthetized patients over a longer period. Especially during VEP monitoring, care has to be taken to avoid pressure from the goggles used to emit flash stimuli.