Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a worldwide health burden with high fatality and permanent disability rates. The overall prognosis depends on the volume of the initial bleed, rebleeding, and degree of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Cardiac manifestations and neurogenic pulmonary edema indicate the severity of SAH. ⋯ DCI is an important cause of morbidity and mortality following SAH, and the pathophysiology is likely multifactorial and not yet understood. At present, oral nimodipine has an established role in the management of DCI, along with maintenance of euvolemia and induced hypertension. Following SAH, hypernatremia, although less common than hyponatremia, is a predictor of poor neurological outcome.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialDexmedetomidine as an Anesthetic Adjuvant in Patients Undergoing Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Tumor.
Transnasal transsphenoidal (TNTS) resection of pituitary tumors involves wide fluctuation in hemodynamic parameter and causes hypertension and tachycardia due to intense noxious stimuli during various stages of surgery. None of routinely used anesthetic agents effectively blunts the undesirable hemodynamic responses, and therefore usually there is a need to use increased doses of anesthetic agents. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) an α-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, because its sympatholytic and antinociceptive properties may ensure optimal intraoperative hemodynamic stability during critical moments of surgical manipulation. In addition, DEX reduced the anesthetic requirement with rapid recovery at the end of surgery. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of DEX on perioperative hemodynamics, anesthetic requirements, and recovery characteristics in patients undergoing TNTS resection of pituitary tumors. ⋯ DEX as an anesthetic adjuvant improved hemodynamic stability and decreased anesthetic requirements in patients undergoing TNTS resection of pituitary tumor. In addition, DEX provided better surgical field exposure conditions and early recovery from anesthesia.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2015
Rapid Anticoagulation Reversal With Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Before Emergency Brain Tumor Surgery.
Brain tumors may become symptomatic due to intracranial hypertension and patients may present to emergency departments in life-threatening conditions. Hence, emergency brain tumor surgery has to be considered, but sufficient hemostasis has to be present when initiating surgical procedures. Impaired hemostasis because of oral anticoagulation for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is encountered in a growing number of patients. Here we present the first case series of anticoagulated patients receiving prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) to rapidly restore hemostasis and facilitate emergency brain tumor surgery. ⋯ In anticoagulated patients with brain tumors requiring immediate surgery due to life-threatening conditions, administration of PCC rapidly and safely restored hemostasis. PCC administration seems to be an effective option for anticoagulant reversal in this patient cohort. Further observational safety studies (eg, thromboembolic events) are warranted.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2015
The Monitoring and Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the United Kingdom: Is there a Consensus?: A National Survey.
To survey the current practice of monitoring and management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the critical care units across the United Kingdom. ⋯ We identified that there was no clear consensus and considerable variation in practice in the management of TBI patients in UK neurocritical care units. A protocol-based management has been shown to improve outcome in sepsis patients. Given the magnitude of the problem, we conclude that there is an urgent need for international consensus guidelines for management of TBI patients in critical care units.