What can help decrease stimulus artifact during SSEPs?

Decreasing stimulus artifact during somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) is crucial for obtaining clear and interpretable results. Lowering the impedances of ground and stimulating electrodes is effective because high impedances can result in increased noise and decreased signal quality. When impedances are reduced, the signal integrity improves, allowing for a clearer detection of the SSEP waveforms amidst potential artifacts caused by surrounding electrical interference.

This improvement occurs because a lower impedance creates a more direct pathway for the evoked potential signal, ensuring that it is less likely to be masked by electrical noise from other instruments and sources in the operating room environment. In turn, this enhances the ability to distinguish the actual evoked responses from the noise, providing a better foundation for accurate monitoring during surgery.

Improving electrode contact and ensuring that the electrical path is optimized through lower impedances ultimately leads to more reliable monitoring outcomes in neurophysiologic settings.