Nonlinear Changes in Brain Dynamics during Emergence from Sevoflurane Anesthesia

Abstract

Background New software was used during a pilot study of nonlinear changes in the electroencephalogram during emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia. Methods Digitized electroencephalographic signals were recorded from bipolar forehead electrodes between 1.2 and 40 k s/sec. Trajectories derived from underlying attractors were displayed continuously, and attractor dimensions were estimated. Observations are reported from 13 patients emerging from sevoflurane anesthesia. Results Qualitative observations and quantitative analysis of the data demonstrated four dynamical stages during emergence from deep anesthesia to consciousness. Conclusions The dynamical stages of emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia into consciousness demonstrate a classic route toward chaos, but the presence of chaos in the conscious state remains unproven. These stages are apparent both pictorially and analytically. Pre-emergent attractor patterns are usually distinctive; their real-time display could be a useful adjunct to depth of anesthesia monitors because they may provide warning of an imminent return to consciousness.