Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2020
ReviewPerioperative Management of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Intracranial Surgery.
The use of direct oral anticoagulants is increasing rapidly, because of perceived benefits over older agents, such as predictable pharmacokinetics and a reduced risk of bleeding. Elderly patients, who are more likely to be prescribed these drugs, are also presenting for neurosurgical procedures more often. ⋯ This review provides a summary of the current evidence pertaining to the perioperative management of these drugs, in the context of elective and emergency intracranial surgery. It highlights emerging therapies, including specific antidotes, as well as areas where the evidence base is likely to improve in the future.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2020
Continuous Near-infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) may provide a noninvasive way to monitor cerebral oxygenation in patients with traumatic brain injury, therein allowing for timely intervention aimed at reversing regional brain tissue hypoxia. We conducted a systematic review of NIRS-based oximetry measurements and their association with (A) patient functional outcome (B) other neurophysiological parameters. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, BIOSIS, GlobalHealth and Cochrane Databases from inception to December 2018 and relevant conference proceedings published over the last 5 years. ⋯ Notwithstanding significant gaps in the currently available literature, our analysis suggests a link between NIRS-detected cerebral hypoxia during the acute phase of traumatic brain injury and poor functional outcome. NIRS measurements appear to reflect changes in intracranial pressure, invasively monitored brain tissue oxygen tension and various cerebrovascular reactivity indices although low quality contradicting data exist. More importantly, our review highlights the need for more prospective work before routine integration of NIRS-based techniques into multimodality monitoring regimen.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Apr 2020
ReviewDefining a Taxonomy of Intracranial Hypertension: Is ICP More Than Just a Number?
Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and control is a cornerstone of neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care. However, because elevated ICP can be due to multiple pathophysiological processes, its interpretation is not straightforward. We propose a formal taxonomy of intracranial hypertension, which defines ICP elevations into 3 major pathophysiological subsets: increased cerebral blood volume, masses and edema, and hydrocephalus. (1) Increased cerebral blood volume increases ICP and arises secondary to arterial or venous hypervolemia. ⋯ Brain edema is either vasogenic or cytotoxic, each with disparate causes and often linked to cerebral blood flow or blood volume abnormalities. Masses may arise from hematoma or neoplasia. (3) Hydrocephalus can also increase ICP, and is either communicating or noncommunicating. Further research is warranted to ascertain whether ICP therapy should be tailored to these physiological subsets of intracranial hypertension.
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This review is intended to provide a summary of the literature pertaining to the perioperative care of neurosurgical patients and patients with neurological diseases. General topics addressed in this review include general neurosurgical considerations, stroke, neurological monitoring, and perioperative disorders of cognitive function.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 2020
ReviewAnesthesia and Cognitive Outcome in Elderly Patients: A Narrative Viewpoint.
Better ways to manage preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care of surgical patients is the bailiwick of anesthesiologists. Although we care for patients of all ages, protecting the cognitive capacity of elderly patients more frequently requires procedures and practices that go beyond routine care for nonelderly adults. This narrative review will consider current understanding of the reasons that elderly patients need enhanced care, and recommendations for that care based on established and recent empirical research. In that latter regard, unless and until we are able to classify anesthetic neurotoxicity as a rare complication, the first-do-no-harm approach should: (1) add anesthesia to surgical intervention on the physiological cost side of the cost/benefit ratio when making decisions about whether and when to proceed with surgery; (2) minimize anesthetic depth and periods of electroencephalographic suppression; (3) limit the duration of continuous anesthesia whenever possible; (4) consider the possibility that regional anesthesia with deep sedation may be as neurotoxic as general anesthesia; and (5) when feasible, use regional anesthesia with light or no sedation.