When monitoring SSEP waveforms, which change can help improve signal quality?

Improving the quality of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) is essential for accurate intraoperative monitoring. One effective method to enhance signal quality is to change the filter settings. Filters play a critical role in isolating the desired signal from noise and artifacts. By adjusting the high-pass and low-pass filters, you can reduce the influence of low-frequency noise and high-frequency artifacts, respectively. This results in a clearer representation of the SSEP waveforms.

For instance, setting the high-pass filter to a frequency that eliminates baseline drift while preserving the slower components of the SSEP can greatly improve the signal. Similarly, adjusting the low-pass filter can help to minimize high-frequency noise, refining the overall quality of the recorded SSEP data.

In essence, optimizing filter settings directly contributes to better signal integrity and more reliable interpretation of SSEP results during surgical procedures. This technique is a standard practice in neurophysiologic monitoring to ensure accurate assessments of neural function.