Neurocritical care
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Acute liver failure (ALF) is uncommon in the United States, but presents acutely and catastrophically, often with deadly consequences. Hepatic encephalopathy, cerebral edema, elevated intracranial pressure, and intracranial hemorrhage due to coagulopathy are common occurrences in patients with ALF. Appropriate management of multi-system organ failure and neurological complications are essential in bridging patients to transplant and ensuring satisfactory outcomes.
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Hyponatremia and hypovolemia occur often after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and are associated with poor outcome. The authors investigated whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is related to hypovolemia and hyponatremia after SAH and whether it can differentiate between hypovolemic and non-hypovolemic hyponatremia. ⋯ High BNP concentrations are related to the occurrence of severe hypovolemia and possibly hyponatremia. These data do not support a role for BNP measurements to differentiate between hypovolemic and non-hypovolemic hyponatremia in SAH patients.
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Clinical applications of dexmedetomidine (DEX) for neurosurgical procedures have not been adequately investigated. This study aimed to test the use of DEX infusion, alone or as an adjunct to propofol infusion, as compared to propofol infusion in patients with an unruptured cerebral aneurysm after uneventful intracranial procedures. ⋯ DEX could be used safely for both intubated and extubated patients following uneventful intracranial procedures for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm, though it significantly reduced HR. Our findings also indicate that it is preferable to add low-dose propofol to DEX for management of intubated patients.
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Clinical Trial
Using continuous electroencephalography in the management of delayed cerebral ischemia following subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Using clinical parameters to identify and monitor treatment response in patients with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) following subarachnoid hemorrhage is challenging. We sought to determine whether continuous electroencephalography (CEEG) aids the prediction of the clinical course and response to treatment of DCI. ⋯ CEEG is a useful non-invasive tool to supplement routine clinical parameters in the prediction of DCI. It can dynamically monitor the response to treatment and might aid pre-clinical management decisions.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a humoral component of the innate immune system which has been studied as a marker of inflammatory, infections or cardiovascular pathologies. To investigate the association between serum levels of PTX3 and the hospital mortality of patients with severe TBI. ⋯ Serum PTX3 levels after severe TBI are independently associated with higher hospital mortality and may be a useful marker of TBI and its prognosis.