Neurocritical care
-
Altered brain perfusion may play an important role in the development of sepsis-associated encephalopathy. However, whether or not cerebral autoregulation (CA) is preserved in such condition has been debated. CA is dependent on cerebral vascular tone, the main determinant of which is the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of PaCO2 on the cerebral autoregulatory capacity in patients with septic shock. ⋯ According to these data, CA is impaired in the majority of patients with septic shock, especially in the presence of hypercapnia.
-
To address the gap between organs available for transplant and the number of patients on the transplant waiting list, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Institute of Medicine, United Network for Organ Sharing and the federal government have recommended the increased used of donation after cardiac death (DCD) (JCAHOnline http://www.jointcommission.org/Library/JCAHOnline/jo_06.06.htm ; UNOS, Highlights of the June Board Meeting, 2006). DCD is defined as organ donation once death is declared after irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, as opposed to brain death (donation after neurological death). ⋯ Early transplantation from DCD donors met with limited success and most transplant surgeons turned to brain-dead donors. Consequently, DCD fell out of vogue and, until recently, has not been the focus of transplant initiatives.
-
We analyzed the impact of shivering on brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO(2)) during induced normothermia in patients with severe brain injury. ⋯ In patients with severe brain injury treated with induced normothermia, shivering was associated with a significant decrease of PbtO(2), which correlated with the intensity of cooling. Monitoring of therapeutic cooling with computerized thermoregulatory systems may help prevent shivering and optimize the management of induced normothermia. The clinical significance of shivering-induced decrease in brain tissue oxygenation remains to be determined.
-
Although electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are well known in ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage, these changes have only rarely been investigated systematically in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and type of ECG abnormalities in a consecutive series of ICH patients, and their possible association with pre-defined neurological and radiological parameters. ⋯ In ICH patients ECG abnormalities are common. QTc prolongation seems associated with insular cortex involvement, with the presence of intraventricular blood, and with hydrocephalus. A larger cohort of continuously monitored ICH patients is necessary to investigate whether these ECG abnormalities are associated with poor outcome or death.
-
The need for organ donation has become a growing concern over that last decade as the gap between organ donors and those awaiting transplant widens. According to UNOS, as of 8/2009, there were 102,962 patients on the transplant waiting list and only 6,004 donors in 2009 (UNOS.org. Accessed 4/8/2009). ⋯ In order to preserve the choice of organ donation for the family, intensive management of the potential organ donor is necessary. Since each potential donor could save seven lives or more, nihilism in the care of such patients can have far reaching ramifications. This article describes intensive care management practices that can optimize organ donation.