Seminars in neurology
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Seminars in neurology · Feb 2017
ReviewNeurologic Prognostication: Neurologic Examination and Current Guidelines.
Clinical examination is paramount for prognostication in patients who are comatose after resuscitation from cardiac arrest. At 72 hours from recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), an absent or extensor motor response to pain (M ≤ 2) is a very sensitive, but not specific predictor of poor neurologic outcome. Bilaterally absent pupillary or corneal reflexes are less sensitive, but highly specific predictors. ⋯ In patients who have not been treated using targeted temperature management (TTM), the 2006 Practice Parameter of the American Academy of Neurology suggested a unimodal approach for prognostication within 72 hours from ROSC, based on status myoclonus (SM) within 24 hours, SSEP, or NSE at 24 to 72 hours and ocular reflexes or M ≤ 2 at 72 hours. The 2015 guidelines from the European Resuscitation Council and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine suggest a multimodal prognostication algorithm, to be used in both TTM-treated and non-TTM-treated patients with M ≤ 2 at ≥ 72 hours from ROSC. Ocular reflexes (pupillary and corneal) and SSEPs should be used first, followed by a combination of other predictors (SM, EEG, NSE, imaging) if results of the first predictors are normal.
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An increasing number of patients are successfully resuscitated from cardiac arrest (CA) and subsequently treated in an intensive care unit due to unconsciousness. Approximately half of these patients will die during the first weeks postarrest, typically after a determination of a poor neurologic prognosis and a decision to withdraw life-sustaining therapy (WLST). ⋯ Recent studies indicate that premature decisions to withdraw care may be common. This topical review will focus on the decision of WLST for patients remaining unconscious after CA, the guiding ethical principles, and the interaction with neurologic prognostication and outcome.
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In this review, the author summarizes the incidence, causes, and survival associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). The resuscitation guideline process is outlined, and the impact of resuscitation interventions is discussed. The incidence of OHCA treated by emergency medical services varies throughout the world, but is in the range of 30 to 50 per 100,000 of the population. ⋯ Cardiac disease accounts for the vast majority of OHCAs; however, although it is a common cause of IHCAs, many other diseases are also common causes of IHCA. Five yearly reviews of resuscitation science have been facilitated in recent years by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation; these have been followed by the publication of regional resuscitation guidelines. There is good evidence that increasing rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and earlier defibrillation are both contributing to improving the survival rate after an OHCA.
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Pediatric neurocritical care is a growing subspecialty of pediatric intensive care that focuses on the management of acute neurological diseases in children. A brief history of the field of pediatric neurocritical care is provided. Neuromonitoring strategies for children are reviewed. Management of major categories of acute childhood central neurologic diseases are reviewed, including treatment of diseases associated with intracranial hypertension, seizures and status epilepticus, stroke, central nervous system infection and inflammation, and hypoxic-ischemic injury.
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Seminars in neurology · Dec 2016
ReviewGetting Rid of Weakness in the ICU: An Updated Approach to the Acute Management of Myasthenia Gravis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
After prompt diagnosis, severe myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) usually require management in the intensive care unit. In the myasthenic patient, recognition of precipitating factors is paramount, and frequent monitoring of bulbar, upper airway, and/or respiratory muscle strength is needed to identify impending myasthenic crisis. Noninvasive ventilation can be attempted prior to intubation and mechanical ventilation in the setting of respiratory failure. ⋯ In GBS, hemodynamic and respiratory monitoring are essential; however, respiratory failure can develop rapidly and intubation with mechanical ventilation is often required and can be prolonged. Guillain-Barré syndrome can also be complicated by dysautonomia necessitating specific therapies. Prompt recognition and initiation of immunotherapy including intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis, together with supportive care including treatment of underlying infections and physical therapy, can improve outcomes in both myasthenic crisis and GBS.