Neurocritical care
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Brain recovery after cardiac arrest (CA) is sensitive to temperature. Yet the effect of temperature management on different EEG frequency bands has not been elucidated. A novel quantitative EEG algorithm, sub-band information quantity (SIQ), was applied to evaluate EEG recovery and outcomes after CA. ⋯ Recovery of gamma-band SIQ-qEEG was strongly associated with functional outcomes after CA. Induced hypothermia was associated with faster recovery of gamma-band SIQ and improved functional outcomes. Targeted temperature management primarily affected gamma frequency oscillations but not delta rhythm.
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Identification of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients at risk of substantial hematoma expansion (SHE) could facilitate the selection of candidates likely to benefit from therapies aiming to minimize ICH growth. We aimed to develop a grading tool that can be quickly used during the hyperacute phase to predict the risk of SHE. ⋯ We developed and internally validated a novel nomogram and an easy to use score which accurately predict the probability of SHE based on six easily obtainable parameters. This could be useful for treatment decision and stratification. External prospective validation of the HEP score is warranted before its application to other populations.
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A 26-year-old female with myasthenic crisis developed transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) after she was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. ⋯ IVIG may cause TRALI and due to subtle clinical findings can be mistaken for neuromuscular respiratory failure.
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IV Thrombolysis (rt-PA) for ischemic stroke treatment carries a substantial risk for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Our purpose was to develop a computationally simple and accurate sICH predictor METHODS : Our derivation dataset consisted of 210 ischemic stroke patients receiving IV rt-PA from January 2009 until July 2013 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Our validation dataset included 303 patients who received IV rt-PA during the NINDS rt-PA trial. Independent sICH predictors were identified by logistic regression and combined to form the TURN score. Predictive ability and goodness of fit were quantified by odds ratios (OR) and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). ⋯ We developed a new score for predicting sICH after IV thrombolysis. Our score is simple and with acceptable accuracy, making it ideal for use in the hyperacute stroke setting.
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Although attention to neurologic injuries and illnesses in pediatric critical care is not new, a sub-specialized field of pediatric neurocritical care has only recently been recognized. Pediatric neurocritical care is an emerging area of clinical and investigative focus. Little is known about the prevalence of specialized pediatric neurocritical care services nor about perceptions regarding how it is impacting medical practice. This survey sought to capture perceptions about an emerging area of specialized pediatric neurocritical care among practitioners in intersecting disciplines, including pediatric intensivists, pediatric neurologits and pediatric neurosurgeons. ⋯ PNCC programs are not uncommon; however, there is not clear agreement on the optimal role or benefit of this area of practice sub-specialization. A broader dialog should be undertaken regarding the emerging practice of pediatric neurocritical care, the potential benefits and drawbacks of this partitioning of neurology and critical care medicine practice, economic and other practical factors, the organization of clinical support services, and the formalization of training and certification pathways for sub-specialization.