Neurocritical care
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We investigated whether model-based indices of cerebral autoregulation (CA) are associated with outcomes after pediatric traumatic brain injury. ⋯ Increased dose of intracranial hypertension, PRx, wPRx, PAx, and RAC values and increased percentage time less than LLA based on PRx, wPRx, PAx, and RAC are associated with higher GOSE-Peds scores, suggestive of unfavorable outcome. Reducing intracranial hypertension and maintaining CPP more than LLA based on wPRx may improve outcomes and warrants prospective investigation.
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Sodium chloride (NaCl) 23.4% solution has been shown to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) and reverse transtentorial herniation. A limitation of 23.4% NaCl is its high osmolarity (8008 mOsm/l) and the concern for tissue injury or necrosis following extravasation when administered via peripheral venous access. The use of this agent is therefore often limited to central venous or intraosseous routes of administration. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of administration of 23.4% NaCl via peripheral venous access compared with administration via central venous access. ⋯ Peripheral venous administration of 23.4% NaCl is safe and achieves a reduction in ICP equivalent to that achieved by administration via central venous access.
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Sodium lactate (SL) has been described as an efficient therapy in treating raised intracranial pressure (ICP). However, the precise mechanism by which SL reduces intracranial hypertension is not well defined. An antiedematous effect has been proposed but never demonstrated. In this context, the involvement of chloride channels, aquaporins, or K-Cl cotransporters has also been suggested, but these mechanisms have never been assessed when using SL. ⋯ SL is an effective therapy for treating brain edema after TBI. This study suggests, for the first time, the potential role of chloride channels in the antiedematous effect induced by exogenous SL.
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Up to one fifth of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) require mechanical ventilation (MV). The Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) is a clinical predictive model developed in Europe to predict MV requirements among patients with GBS. However, there are significant differences between the Latin American and European population, especially in the distribution of GBS subtypes. Therefore, determining if the EGRIS is able to predict MV in a Latin American population is of clinical significance. ⋯ Although the EGRIS was higher in patients who required early MV than in those who did not, it only showed a moderate discrimination capacity (AUC = 0.63). Facial weakness, an item of the EGRIS, was not found to be a predictive factor in our population. We suggest assessing whether these findings are due to subtype predominance and whether a modified version of the EGRIS could improve performance.
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Editorial Comment
Making Waves: Will It Help Children with Traumatic Brain Injury?