How does HFF reduction affect SSEP latency?

High-frequency filter (HFF) reduction can significantly impact somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) by allowing more high-frequency components of the signal to pass through. When the HFF is decreased, it results in an increase in the latency of the SSEP waves. This occurs because the faster, higher frequency components, which may carry crucial timing information, are removed when the filter is set at a higher frequency. Consequently, the remaining low-frequency components can take longer to reach the recording electrodes, leading to prolonged latencies.

In clinical practice, an understanding of how different filter settings affect latency is crucial for the interpretation of SSEP findings during intraoperative monitoring. Adjusting the filters can have direct consequences for the accuracy and reliability of the data you receive, thereby affecting clinical decision-making.