Pulse amplitude and Lempel-Ziv complexity of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure signal.

BACKGROUND The complexity of the intracranial pressure (ICP) signal decreases with intracranial hypertension in children with acute brain injury as well as during infusion studies in adults with hydrocephalus. In this study we have analysed the pressure signal obtained in the lumbar subarachnoid space during infusion testing. The pulse amplitude rises when the ICP is increased by additional external volume. Our objective was to determine the relative influence of the pressure range and pulse amplitude on the loss of complexity observed during infusion-related intracranial hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Lempel-Ziv (LZ) complexity of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) signal was analysed in 52 infusion studies performed in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (median age 71 years, IQR: 60-78). Four sequences during the baseline, infusion, steady plateau and recovery periods of each infusion study were selected. The mean values of the CSFP (mCSFP), pulse amplitude and LZ complexity in every sequence were measured. Correlations between LZ complexity and CSFP parameters were explored. RESULTS Significant inverse correlations were found among LZ complexity, pulse amplitude and mCSFP during all periods of infusion testing, except at baseline. Partial correlation analysis controlling the effect of mCSFP emphasised the relationship between pulse amplitude and LZ complexity. When pulse amplitude is held constant the partial correlation between LZ complexity and mCSFP is not significant. CONCLUSIONS The pulse amplitude of the CSFP signal seems to be a major determinant of the waveform complexity.