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If you wish to respond to a paper or other item already published in the BJA, please go to the abstract/full text version of that item and click on the link "E-Letters: Submit a response to the article".

Electronic Letters to:

Clinical Investigation:
R. E. Anderson, U. Sartipy, and J. G. Jakobsson
Use of conventional ECG electrodes for depth of anaesthesia monitoring using the cerebral state index: a clinical study in day surgery
Br. J. Anaesth. 2007; 0: aem061v1-4 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
*E-letters: Submit a response to this article

Electronic letters published:

[Read E-letter] The use of electrodes for EEG monitoring during anaesthesia
Jan Jakobsson   (6 June 2007)
[Read E-letter] Medical Devices Directive and alternative electrodes
Chris J Pomfrett   (1 June 2007)

The use of electrodes for EEG monitoring during anaesthesia 6 June 2007
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Jan Jakobsson,
Associate Professor
Karolinska Institutet

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Re: The use of electrodes for EEG monitoring during anaesthesia

Dear Editor

The letter by Doctor Pomfrett brought up an interesting point which we had not considered previously for this battery-driven device. The attending anaesthetist uses of course his own discretion when choosing equipment for use in each individual patient. For monitoring of ECG and or EEG, suitable electrodes should of course be used. If the cost associated with the proprietary electrodes causes concern I could see the option, of course taken by the attending physician, to use an alternative solution, keeping in mind that it is not in accordance with the Instructions for Use Manual.

Thank you for taking up this interesting issue.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared
Medical Devices Directive and alternative electrodes 1 June 2007
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Chris J Pomfrett,
Non-clinical lecturer (Clinical Scientist)
The University of Manchester

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Re: Medical Devices Directive and alternative electrodes

Editor - I read with great interest the paper by Anderson, Sartipy, and Jakobsson. The authors clearly advocate the use of relatively cheap ECG electrodes instead of proprietary EEG electrodes whilst using the CSI monitor. Whilst of academic interest, surely such use is in breach of the CE approval for the device under the European Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC)? Care should be taken by readers of the BJA not to be in breach of regional legislation by the use of non-approved combinations of consumables and medical equipment.

Conflict of Interest:

I have received expenses from several monitoring companies for unedited educational lectures on monitoring technologies