Neurocritical care
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effect of a liberal versus restrictive transfusion strategy on mortality in patients with moderate to severe head injury.
To compare a restrictive versus a liberal transfusion strategy in patients with moderate to severe closed head injury following multiple trauma in 13 Canadian intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ We were unable to detect significant improvements in mortality with a liberal as compared to restrictive transfusion strategy in critically ill trauma victims with moderate to severe head injury.
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The development of animal models of acute stroke has allowed the evaluation of mild and moderate hypothermia as a therapeutic modality in this clinical setting. Studies have demonstrated that animals subjected to hypothermia up to 3 hours after the primary central nervous system insult have reduced mortality and neuronal injury, and improved neurological outcome. These results warranted the evaluation of hypothermia in clinical trials. ⋯ Thus, therapeutic hypothermia for ischemic stroke remains a promising but fiercely debated therapeutic modality. This review summarizes the animal model studies that have led to clinical trials in acute ischemic stroke. The existing techniques for inducing brain cooling, the mechanisms of neuroprotection, the complications of therapeutic hypothermia, and the future perspective of the field are also discussed.
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The characteristics of patients with anticoagulant-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (AAICH) have not been well characterized in a population-based setting. ⋯ AAICH preferentially affects the cerebellum. Despite its association with amyloid angiopathy, lobar ICH was no more likely to be anticoagulant-associated than deep cerebral ICH. The excess mortality among AAICH patients accrues within one day of hemorrhage. Patients with AAICH have a high burden of vascular risk factors. New treatments for AAICH with prothrombotic potential should be evaluated in randomized controlled trials before routine use.
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Our objective was to investigate the feasibility of lumbar drainage (LD) as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of communicating hydrocephalus in patients with supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ventricular extension (IVH) who initially required an external ventricular drain (EVD). ⋯ Our preliminary data suggest that LD is a simple and reasonable alternative for treating communicating hydrocephalus after ICH and IVH. The combination of IVF to enhance clot resolution and to clear the third and fourth ventricle followed by LD may represent a new and promising approach in the therapy of hydrocephalus following severe ventricular hemorrhage.
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Accurate prediction of successful extubation in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an important clinical problem. We hypothesized that reversal of clinical indices used to intubate a patient (i.e., declining vital capacity [VC]) predict extubation. ⋯ In mechanically-ventilated patients with respiratory failure secondary to GBS, NIF less than -50 cm H(2)O, and VC improvement preextubation to preintubation by 4 mL/kg were significantly associated with successful extubation. Failed extubation or need for tracheostomy correlated with autonomic dysfunction, pulmonary comorbidities, and prolonged LOS in the ICU. Such parameters may be helpful in identifying patients with GBS likely to succeed extubation versus early referral for tracheostomy.