The effects of decreased temperature on brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) have been previously described in mild to moderate hypothermia. This report describes BAEP monitoring during profound hypothermia (11°C) and circulatory arrest for repair of an aortic arch aneurysm. Recordings of BAEP were interpretable during cooling to 14°C, and demonstrated increasing interpeak (I-V) latency compatible with prolongation of brain stem conduction time. The changes rapidly returned to normal during rewarming from profound hypothermia, in a fashion similar to that seen after mild hypothermia, and therefore appear to be completely reversible.
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