Neurocritical care
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of health loss and disabilities globally, burdening health care systems. Mild TBI is a common cause of emergency department visits. Computed tomography (CT) scans are the mainstay for acute TBI imaging. ⋯ These findings indicate that S100B analysis could minimize the need for unnecessary CT scans in individuals with mild TBI. The test's diagnostic accuracy improves when the S100B analysis is done within 3 h of the injury. However, further research is warranted to validate its superiority to other biomarkers before considering it the standard routine for managing mild TBI.
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Socioeconomic status affects outcomes in cerebrovascular disease, although its role in the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments (WLST) remains uncertain. We aim to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors on outcomes including WLST in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). ⋯ Higher EIS and residing in areas with higher neighborhood incomes were associated with higher odds of WLST in aSAH. Further multicenter studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these associations.
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Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a psychiatric-neurologic emergency that may require intensive care management. There is a paucity of information about NMS as a critical illness. We reviewed the Mayo Clinic experience. ⋯ Neuroleptic malignant syndrome can become a critical illness, but there is often rapid recovery. Mortality proximate to NMS was uncommon, but late mortality remained substantial. The overwhelming majority of cases coded as NMS did not meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Stricter criteria should be applied when diagnosing NMS in critical care and emergency medicine settings.
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Our objective was to characterize the impact of common initial sedation practices on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) duration and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) and to elucidate variations in practices between high-income and middle-income countries. ⋯ In an international registry of patients with ABI requiring IMV, IMV duration did not differ significantly relative to initial sedation strategy. However, patients started on midazolam had longer ICU stay.