Neurocritical care
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Endovascular therapy (EVT) for severe cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is controversial in terms of indication and clinical benefit. The impact of delay of EVT on functional recovery is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of early versus late initiation of EVT in severe CVST. ⋯ We observed a higher rate of functional independence in patients with early EVT. These preliminary findings must be confirmed in subsequent randomized controlled trials evaluating a "time-is-brain" paradigm for EVT in CVST.
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In intensive care, delirium is frequent, prolongs the stay, increases health care costs, and worsens patient outcome. Several substances and medications as well as stress can impact the risk of delirium; however, assessment of previous exposure to psychotropic agents and stress by self-reports or third-party information is not always reliable. Hair analysis can be used to objectively assess medication and substance use (including chronic alcohol consumption), and allows for the determination of stress-related long-term changes in steroid hormones and endocannabinoids. ⋯ Hair analysis provides crucial and otherwise unattainable information regarding chronic stress and the use of psychotropic substances and medications. Undisclosed antidepressant/antipsychotic use or intense chronic alcohol consumption is susceptible to treatment (continuation of medication or provision of low-dose benzodiazepines in case of alcohol). Chronic stress can be evaluated using stress markers and endocannabinoids in hair, potentially allowing for personalized delirium risk stratification and preventive measures.
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The study investigated the effectiveness of low-frequency sampling in detecting alterations in cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) associated with changes in intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) across different age groups. The primary objective was to investigate an ICP threshold that indicates a decrease in CVR as evidenced by a significant increase in the ultra-low-frequency pressure reactivity index (UL-PRx). Additionally, the study aimed to develop an age-based categorization method for patients with TBI to investigate the differences between these ICP thresholds in different age groups. ⋯ The AT-ICP thresholds offer a novel approach for estimating CVR impairment and the developed method represents an alternative solution to address the age stratification issue in patients with TBI.
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Hyperosmolar therapy has long been a cornerstone in managing increased intracranial pressure and improving outcomes in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This therapy hinges on elevating serum osmolality, creating an osmotic gradient that draws excess water from the brain's cellular and interstitial compartments and effectively reducing cerebral edema. Given this information, we hypothesized that the serum hyperosmolality prior to any treatment could significantly impact the clinical outcomes of patients with severe TBI, potentially mitigating secondary cerebral edema after trauma. ⋯ The present study has uncovered a significant correlation between the pretreatment serum osmolality and the clinical outcomes of patients with severe TBI. These findings offer a novel perspective, indicating that a serum hyperosmolality prior to any treatment might potentially have a neuroprotective effect in patients with severe TBI.