Neurocritical care
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Drug interactions in the neurosciences intensive care unit (NICU) may involve antiepileptic drugs and warfarin. Most commonly used antiepileptic drugs are either potent hepatic enzyme inducers or inhibitors and they affect the metabolism of warfarin. Valproic acid also displaces warfarin from the protein binding sites resulting in significant INR changes but this type of drug interaction is less well known. ⋯ With both acidic drugs present, a loading dose of valproic acid may displace warfarin from the protein binding sites resulting in redistribution of warfarin in free active form and lead to a rapid increase in INR.
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Case Reports
Outcome in patients with H1N1 influenza and cerebrovascular injury treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Although intracranial hemorrhage and infarction have been reported in patients with H1N1 influenza infection treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the clinical outcomes of these patients are not well described. ⋯ Frequent and early surveillance imaging should be obtained in patients with H1N1 influenza infection undergoing ECMO, although the presence of diffuse cerebral injury, including intraparenchymal hemorrhage and multifocal punctate susceptibility effect, does not necessarily portend a poor prognosis.
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Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a common condition in children. Little is known in this condition regarding the frequency of seizures, the factors associated with increased risk of seizures, or the association of seizures with outcome. We sought to determine frequency and risks for in-hospital seizures after AHT. ⋯ Specific neuroradiologic findings identify children at greater risk for seizures, both clinical and subclinical, following AHT. Clinical and subclinical seizures are common in the initial hospitalization for AHT.
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Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is an uncommon coagulation disorder caused by the development of autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). While intracranial hemorrhage is a known complication of AHA, intracranial hemorrhage as the presenting manifestation of AHA has only been described in three previous case reports. ⋯ The presentation of intracranial hemorrhage with an isolated prolonged aPTT is concerning for an acquired hemophilia with FVIII deficiency. Other causes of isolated prolonged aPTT such as a lupus anticoagulant must also be considered. Preoperative identification and work-up of the coagulation abnormality is essential to guide initial treatment.
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Primary angioplasty has been introduced for the treatment of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The data regarding the therapeutic benefit of angioplasty in improving patient outcomes are limited, hence its utilization at hospitals remains controversial and currently is not reimbursed by Medicare or major insurance companies. ⋯ Our analysis suggests that the odds of a patient being discharged to home are better at hospitals performing angioplasty for cerebral vasospasm. Provision of angioplasty may be used as a surrogate marker of model of care in management of patients with SAH.