Neurocritical care
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intraventricular Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial.
The quantity of subarachnoid (SAH) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurring in the setting of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm is strongly associated with subsequent complications and poor outcomes. ⋯ Intraventricular TPA accelerates clearance of SAH and IVH, especially when administered early. A larger-scale clinical trial of intraventricular TPA is feasible, will need to be conducted at multiple centers, and is required to determine whether this practice reduces complications and improves outcomes.
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Delayed cerebral ischemia following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a cause of considerable morbidity and mortality. Magnesium sulfate has been proposed as a prophylactic intervention for angiographic vasospasm and to improve clinical outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to determine the evidence for the prophylactic use of magnesium sulfate in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. ⋯ Delayed ischemic neurological deficit has a RR of 0.93 [95 % CI 0.62-1.39]. Transcranial doppler vasospasm has a RR of 0.72 [95 % CI 0.51-1.03]. Current evidence does not support the prophylactic use of magnesium sulfate in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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Our goal was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the use of tromethamine (THAM) and its effects on intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with neurological illness. All articles from MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Global Health, HealthStar, Scopus, Cochrane Library, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (inception to February 2014), reference lists of relevant articles, and gray literature were searched. Two reviewers independently identified all manuscripts pertaining to the administration of THAM in human patients that recorded effects on ICP. ⋯ There currently exists Oxford level 2b, GRADE B evidence to support that THAM reduces ICP in the TBI and malignant ischemic infarct population, with minimal side effects. The literature suggests THAM may be useful for ICP reduction in certain cases, though the safety of the compound in these circumstances is still unclear. Further prospective study is warranted.
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Comparative Study
Levetiracetam Versus Phenytoin: A Comparison of Efficacy of Seizure Prophylaxis and Adverse Event Risk Following Acute or Subacute Subdural Hematoma Diagnosis.
Although both levetiracetam and phenytoin are used for seizure prophylaxis in subdural hematomas (SDHs), there is little data on their comparative efficacies. We compared the efficacy and risk of using levetiracetam versus phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis following acute or subacute SDH diagnosis. ⋯ Levetiracetam generally appears to have a similar efficacy to phenytoin in preventing clinical and/or electrographic seizures following acute/subacute SDH diagnosis, though patients with midline shift >0 mm may have associated with a higher risk of electrographic seizures on levetiracetam compared with patients on phenytoin. Levetiracetam is associated with a lower risk of adverse drug effects. A prospective, randomized study would more definitively determine any difference in efficacy and risk between phenytoin and levetiracetam.
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Prevention and detection of secondary brain insults via multimodality neuromonitoring is a major goal in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Several literature limitations were identified including small number of subjects, lack of clinical outcome correlations, inconsistent probe location, and overall moderate quality among the included studies. These limitations preclude any firm conclusions; nevertheless we suggest that the status of cerebrovascular reactivity is not only important for cerebral perfusion pressure optimization but should also inform interpretation and interventions targeted on PbtO(2) and LPR. Assessment of reactivity can be the first step in approaching the relations among cerebral blood flow, oxygen delivery, demand, and cellular metabolism.