Neurocritical care
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Neurocardiogenic injury results from increased sympathetic nervous system activation following acute brain injury. No diagnostic criteria for neurocardiogenic injury exist, and agreement has not been tested. We investigated the agreement by neurointensivists for the presence of neurocardiogenic injury on routine cardiac studies. ⋯ Overall, we demonstrated substantial agreement for the presence of neurocardiogenic injury on early cardiac studies following aSAH. However, inter-observer variability increased when evaluating patients without the objective finding of elevated cTI and among those with lower clinical and radiographic grades.
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Central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis (CPEPM) is a rare but potentially fatal complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for development of CPEPM after OLT and to assess patient outcome. ⋯ High MELD score patients undergoing OLT, receiving massive perfusions of Na-rich products, experiencing surgery-related hemorrhagic complication and important fluctuations of Na are at risk of developing CPEPM. Therefore careful monitoring of natremia in the perioperative period and use of water-free perfusion in case of massive blood-products transfusion are critical points of this patient management.
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Observational Study
Fluid Responsiveness and Brain Tissue Oxygen Augmentation After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardiac index (CI) response to a fluid challenge and changes in brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO(2)) in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ Bolus fluid resuscitation resulting in augmentation of CI can improve cerebral oxygenation after SAH.
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Patients suffering from severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) often develop secondary brain lesions that may worsen outcome. S100B, a biomarker of brain damage, has been shown to increase in response to secondary cerebral deterioration. The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of secondary increases in serum levels of S100B and their relation to potential subsequent radiological pathology present on CT/MRI-scans. ⋯ Secondary increases in serum levels of S100B, even as low as ≥0.05 μg/L, beyond 48 h after TBI are strongly correlated to the development of clinically significant secondary radiological findings.
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Case Reports
Apnea Testing for Brain Death in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Possible Solution.
A 42-year-old man with a subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by anoxic brain injury, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) presented a clinical conundrum for safe apnea testing in brain death determination due to profound hypoxemia. ⋯ A recruitment maneuver and CPAP valve may be used in severe ARDS for safe apnea testing in brain death determination.