burst suppression
EEG pattern characterized by alternating periods of electrical activity and suppression, indicating severe brain dysfunction.
Full Definition
Burst suppression is a distinctive electroencephalographic pattern characterized by alternating periods of high-amplitude electrical activity ('bursts') and periods of electrical silence or very low amplitude activity ('suppression'). This pattern typically indicates severe cerebral dysfunction and can occur naturally in conditions such as severe anoxic brain injury, drug overdose, or hypothermia. It can also be therapeutically induced using anesthetic agents like propofol or barbiturates to reduce cerebral metabolic demand in patients with refractory status epilepticus or elevated intracranial pressure. The burst suppression ratio (percentage of time spent in suppression) is often monitored and used to titrate sedation depth. While sometimes therapeutic, burst suppression in the absence of sedating medications generally indicates poor neurological prognosis.
Usage
Usage note: Often hyphenated; important EEG finding requiring precise documentation.
In Context
- "EEG monitoring revealed burst suppression with a suppression ratio of 85%." — Neurophysiology report
- "Propofol was titrated to achieve burst suppression for refractory status epilepticus." — ICU medication record