The return or Poincaré plot is a non-linear analytical approach in a two-dimensional plane, where a timed signal is plotted against itself after a time delay. Its scatter pattern reflects the randomness and variability in the signals. Quantification of a Poincaré plot of the electroencephalogram has potential to determine anaesthesia depth. We quantified the degree of dispersion (i.e. standard deviation, SD) along the diagonal line of the electroencephalogram-Poincaré plot (named as SD1/SD2), and compared SD1/SD2 values with spectral edge frequency 95 (SEF95) and bispectral index values. The regression analysis showed a tight linear regression equation with a coefficient of determination (R(2) ) value of 0.904 (p < 0.0001) between the Poincaré index (SD1/SD2) and SEF95, and a moderate linear regression equation between SD1/SD2 and bispectral index (R(2) = 0.346, p < 0.0001). Quantification of the Poincaré plot tightly correlates with SEF95, reflecting anaesthesia-dependent changes in electroencephalogram oscillation.
© 2014 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.