Neurocritical care
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Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) frequently triggers systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). SIRS has been associated with inferior outcomes and, specifically, delayed cerebral infarction after aneurysmal SAH. Here, we assess the impact of intracranial blood clearance through stereotactic catheter ventriculocisternostomy on SIRS in patients with aneurysmal SAH. ⋯ Intracranial blood clearance and cisternal lavage after aneurysmal SAH is associated with a decline in SIRS prevalence and severity.
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Management of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is challenged by limited therapeutic options and a complex relationship between blood pressure (BP) dynamics, especially BP variability (BPV) and ICH outcome. ⋯ This study shows the prognostic value of BPV in the acute phase of ICH. Lower systolic BPV (SD) and higher diastolic BPV (SD, SV) were associated with better functional outcomes, challenging traditional BP management strategies. These findings might help to tailor a personalized BP management in ICH.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is widely recognized as a major cause of death and disability. Optimizing recovery from coma is a priority for improving patient prognosis. Recently, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that median nerve electrical stimulation (MNES) may be a potential approach for comatose patients awakening with TBI, although the results of these studies are not consistent. ⋯ Furthermore, no significant differences in complications between the two groups of patients were observed, including pneumonitis (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.72-1.03; P = 0.107), seizures (RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.49-3.10; P = 0.651), or gastric hemorrhage (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.60-1.93; P = 0.795). The results of the present study indicate that patients with TBI in the MNES group recovered from coma more rapidly after treatment and at 6 months after injury. These results suggest that MNES is an effective approach for coma awakening after TBI.
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Patients with severe stroke are at high risk of secondary neurologic decline (ND) from the development of malignant cerebral edema (MCE). However, early infarcts are hard to diagnose on conventional head computed tomography (CT). We hypothesize that high-energy (190 keV) virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) from dual-energy CT (DECT) imaging enables earlier detection of ND from MCE. ⋯ The VMI ASPECTS and VMI infarct volume from DECT are superior to the conventional CT ASPECTS and are novel predictors for secondary ND due to MCE after severe stroke. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04189471.
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Prognostication of patients with acute disorders of consciousness is imprecise but more accurate technology-supported predictions, such as cognitive motor dissociation (CMD), are emerging. CMD refers to the detection of willful brain activation following motor commands using functional magnetic resonance imaging or machine learning-supported analysis of the electroencephalogram in clinically unresponsive patients. CMD is associated with long-term recovery, but acceptance by surrogates and health care professionals is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine receptiveness for CMD to inform goals of care (GoC) decisions and research participation among health care professionals and surrogates of behaviorally unresponsive patients. ⋯ Technology-supported prognostication and enthusiasm for clinical trial participation was supported across a diverse spectrum of health care professionals and surrogate decision-makers. Education for surrogates and health care professionals should accompany integration of technology-supported prognostication.