Quantitative Electroencephalography Alpha:Delta Ratio and Suppression Ratio Monitoring During Infant Aortic Arch Reconstruction.

Background: During infant aortic arch reconstruction, traditional electroencephalography (EEG) provides only qualitative data limiting neuromonitoring efficacy. Interhemispheric differences in the alpha:delta ratio (ADR) and suppression ratio (SR) measured using quantitative EEG generate numerical trends that may suggest cerebral ischemia. We hypothesized that the ADR and SR during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) would correlate with hemodynamics, and that ADR and SR interhemispheric differences would precede neurological injury from infants requiring aortic arch reconstruction.

Changes in Neonatal Intraoperative Electroencephalogram Alpha: Delta Ratios Precede Neurologic Injury.

Unrecognized intraoperative cerebral ischemia during neonatal aortic arch reconstruction may precede neurologic injury. Electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha:delta ratio (A:D) changes predict cerebral ischemia; however, if A:D differences can identify ischemia during neonatal antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) and aortic arch reconstruction is unknown. We hypothesized that A:D changes would precede neurologic injury.

Evaluation of a stroke rehabilitation training programme for community-based primary healthcare.

Background: Family caregiver training is an integral part of stroke rehabilitation programmes and is associated with improved caregiver and stroke survivor outcomes. In the Cape Winelands District, a low-resourced rural community-based setting in South Africa, stroke survivors and family caregivers mostly rely on assistance from community health workers (CHWs), despite their lack of stroke-specific rehabilitation training.

Objectives: To evaluate the implementation and immediate effects of a bespoke, 16 session, 21 h stroke rehabilitation training programme for CHWs to better support family caregivers.

A stroke rehabilitation training program for community-based primary health care, South Africa.

Background: With an increasing burden of stroke and a lack of access to rehabilitation services in rural South African settings, stroke survivors rely on untrained family caregivers for support and care. Community health workers (CHWs) support these families but have no stroke-specific training.

Objectives: To describe the development of a contextually appropriate stroke training program for CHWs in the Cape Winelands District, South Africa.

Promoting regional coherence and cohesion amidst multiple assistive technology initiatives in Africa.

Background: Appropriate provision of assistive technology services (ATS) and products are a global health issue and essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Sixth African Network for Evidence-to-Action on Disability (AfriNEAD) conference included a workshop on collaboration, cohesion and coherence in ATS delivery in Africa.

Objective: This article aimed to summarise the workshop proceedings and to provide some recommendations on how coherence and cohesion can be facilitated in assistive technology services in Africa.