Bradycardic Arrest During Somatosensory-Evoked Potential Monitoring: A Case Report

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring involves electrical stimulation of nerve pathways and is used to assess the integrity of both motor and sensory pathways. Whereas motor pathway monitoring involves transcranial stimulation and peripheral nerve monitoring, somatosensory monitoring involves peripheral nerve stimulation and cranial monitoring. Arrhythmias are a known complication of motor-evoked potential monitoring but have not been reported with somatosensory monitoring. We describe a case of bradycardic arrest with somatosensory-evoked potential monitoring using median nerve electrodes in a patient with no previous rhythm abnormality. Clinicians caring for patients receiving somatosensory monitoring should be aware of the potential for severe arrhythmias.