Repetitive synchronized cyclical oscillations of multisystem parameters subsequent to high-dose thiopental therapy for status epilepticus secondary to herpes encephalitis

We report a case of status epilepticus secondary to herpes encephalitis, tr eated with thiopental infusion and mechanical ventilation. The computerized storage and analysis of physiological data led to the detection of repetit ive synchronized cyclical oscillations of arterial pressure, heart rate, EE G parameters, peripheral temperature and core temperature. Arterial pressur e oscillations have been described in patients who are severely systemicall y unwell; cardiovascular and brain electrical activity may also oscillate i n the presence of raised intracranial pressure. In contrast, this patient h ad no features of severe systemic illness or of raised intracranial pressur e. Our hypothesis is that high-dose thiopental may have been a cause of our findings by producing autonomic dysfunction.