Neurocritical care
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Multi-modal monitoring has become an integral part of neurointensive care. However, our approach is at this time neither standardized nor backed by data from randomized controlled trials. The goal of the second Neurocritical Care Research Conference was to discuss research priorities in multi-modal monitoring, what research tools are available, as well as the latest advances in clinical trial design. This section of the meeting was focused on how such a trial should be designed so as to maximize yield and avoid mistakes of the past.
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Effective methods of monitoring the status of patients with neurological injuries began with non-invasive observations and evolved during the past several decades to include more invasive monitoring tools and physiologic measures. The monitoring paradigm continues to evolve, this time back toward the use of less invasive tools. In parallel, the science of monitoring began with the global assessment of the patient's neurological condition, evolved to focus on regional monitoring techniques, and with the advent of enhanced computing capabilities is now moving back to focus on global monitoring. The purpose of this session of the Second Neurocritical Care Research Conference was to collaboratively develop a comprehensive understanding of the state of the science for global brain monitoring and to identify research priorities for intracranial pressure monitoring, neuroimaging, and neuro-electrophysiology monitoring.
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Continuous EEG (cEEG) may allow monitoring of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) for delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and seizures, including non-convulsive seizures (NCSz), and non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). We aimed to evaluate: (a) the diagnostic accuracy of cEEG as a confirmatory test, (b) the prognostic value of EEG patterns suggestive of seizures and DCI, and (c) the effectiveness of intensified neuromonitoring using cEEG in terms of improved clinical outcome following SAH. ⋯ cEEG monitoring following SAH detects an increased number of subclinical seizures and may predict DCI many hours in advance. NCSE is associated with high mortality and morbidity, whereas for DCI identified by cEEG this association is less clear. Prospective randomized controlled multicenter trials are needed to evaluate the benefits (or risks) of intensified treatment of seizures and DCI following SAH.
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Our goal was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the use of indomethacin and its effects on intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with neurological illness. All articles from MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Global Health, Scopus, Cochrane Library, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (inception to July 2014), reference lists of relevant articles, and gray literature were searched. Two reviewers independently identified all manuscripts utilizing the following inclusion and exclusion criteria. ⋯ non-English, retrospective studies, no documentation of ICP response to indomethacin, and animal studies. A two-tier filter of references was conducted. First, we screened manuscripts by title and abstract. Second, those references passing the first filter were pulled, and the full manuscript was checked to see if it matched the criteria for inclusion. Two reviewers independently extracted data including population characteristics and treatment characteristics. The strength of evidence was adjudicated using both the Oxford and GRADE methodology. Our search strategy produced a total of 208 citations. Twelve original articles, 10 manuscripts, and 2 meeting proceeding, were considered for the review with all utilizing indomethacin, while documenting ICP in neurological patients. All studies were prospective. Across all studies, there were a total of 177 patients studied, with 152 receiving indomethacin and 25 serving as controls in a variety of heterogeneous studies. All but one study documented a decrease in ICP with indomethacin administration, with both bolus and continuous infusions. No significant complications were described. There currently exists Oxford level 2b, GRADE C evidence to support that indomethacin reduces ICP in the severe TBI population. Similar conclusions in other populations cannot be made at this time. Comments on its impact, on patient outcome, and side effects cannot be made given the available data. At this time, indomethacin for ICP control remains experimental and further prospective study is warranted.
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There is a paucity of reliable and recent data regarding epidemiology of non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in population-based studies. ⋯ The incidence of non-aneurysmal SAH was higher than previously reported particularly among men.