[EEG-changes during haemodialysis in chronic renal insufficiancy (author's transl)]

Abstract

Longitudinal EEG studies were performed under three different clinical conditions during 15 haemodialysis in chronic renal insufficiency. The relationship of EEG changes to clinical and biochemical parameters and to the subjective state of wellbeing was examined. The relevance of EEG monitoring as a method of assaying the adequacy of haemodialysis was investigated. By means of pre- and post-dialysis examinations it was found in 13 out of 15 measurements that a decrease in Creatinin serum concentration was accompanied by an increase in alpha index and that in 14 out of 15 measurements shift in the power spectrum toward the faster frequencies occurred. In those cases where a reduction in alpha index respectively an increase in theta index was found, the possibility of subacute dialysis encephalopathy must be taken in account. No significant relationship between subjective state of well-being and dialysis was found, with the exception of one patient, who had recently been admitted to the dialysis program. The results demonstrate the diagnostic relevance of EEG monitoring during haemodialysis in chronic renal insufficiency. However, the prognostic relevance remains to be proven with a larger number of patients.