CSA 6 – Answer

Isoelectric EEG – the raw EEG trace is flat with no activity. This could be either related to sedation (unlikely with morphine and midazolam at standard doses) or brain injury following the cardiac arrest (more likely). Which of the two will become clear when sedation is withdrawn following the period of neuroprotection. It should also be remembered that the CSA only looks at two channels and therefore only provides information on a small area of the brain. In view of this a formal EEG was performed which demonstrated global absence of brain wave activity.