Cerebrovascular diseases
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2012
Sonographic monitoring of midline shift predicts outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage.
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the evolution of subsequent perihemorrhagic edema lead to midline shift (MLS), which can be assessed by transcranial duplex sonography (TDS). In this observational study, we monitored MLS with TDS in patients with supratentorial ICH up to day 14 after the ictus, and then correlated MLS with the outcome 6 months after hospital discharge. ⋯ MLS seems to be a crucial factor for outcome after ICH. Apart from the hematoma volume itself, edema adds to the intracranial pressure. To monitor MLS in early patient management after ICH, TDS is a useful noninvasive bedside alternative, avoiding increased radiation exposure and repeated transportation of critically ill patients. Cut-off values may help to reliably predict functional outcome and treatment failure in patients undergoing maximal neurointensive therapy.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2012
Persistence of hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign on follow-up CT scan after intravenous thrombolysis is associated with poor outcome.
The rates and extent of recovery in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) remain highly variable. Hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) on pretreatment unenhanced computerized tomography (CT) of the brain represents the presence of thrombus, often associated with severe neurological deficits and poor clinical outcome at 3 months. However, HMCAS is reliable only in AIS patients managed conservatively. In patients treated with systemic thrombolysis, HMCAS may disappear (representing clot dissolution) or persist (persisting clot) on the follow-up CT scan of the brain. We aimed at evaluating whether disappearance or the persistence of HMCAS on follow-up CT scan of the brain can predict the final outcome at 3 months. ⋯ Persistence of HMCAS on the follow-up CT scan of the brain in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with IV-tPA can be used as an early predictor of poor functional outcome.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2012
Near-infrared spectroscopy can predict the onset of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid endarterectomy.
Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a potential life-threatening complication. Therefore, early identification and treatment of patients at risk is essential. CHS can be predicted by a doubling of postoperative transcranial Doppler (TCD)-derived mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity (V(mean)) compared to preoperative values. However, in approximately 15% of CEA patients, an adequate TCD signal cannot be obtained due to an insufficient temporal bone window. Moreover, the use of TCD requires specifically skilled personnel. An alternative and promising technique of noninvasive cerebral monitoring is relative frontal lobe oxygenation (rSO(2)) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which offers on-line information about cerebral oxygenation without the need for specialized personnel. In this study, we assess whether NIRS and perioperative TCD are related to the onset CHS following CEA. ⋯ Both TCD and NIRS measurements can be used to safely identify patients not at risk of developing CHS. It appears that NIRS is a good alternative when a TCD signal cannot be obtained.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2012
Cerebrospinal fluid catecholamine levels as predictors of outcome in subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with marked sympathetic activation at the time of ictus. The purpose of this study is to determine whether early central catecholamine levels measured from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relate to outcome in patients with SAH. ⋯ CSF catecholamine levels are elevated in SAH patients who experience early mortality or disability. EPI may potentially serve as useful index of outcome in this population of patients with SAH.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2012
Differences in vertebrobasilar artery morphology between spontaneous intradural vertebral artery dissections with and without subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Patients with spontaneous intradural vertebral artery dissection (siVAD) developing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have been observed to have poor outcomes. Factors predisposing siVAD patients to SAH are not well known. We aimed to investigate the clinical and vertebrobasilar artery morphological characteristics associated with SAH in patients with siVAD. ⋯ We suggest that the clinical and vertebrobasilar artery morphological characteristics demonstrated in the present study may be related to SAH induced by siVAD. Although all patients with siVAD should be closely monitored, those with siVAD who have these characteristics should perhaps be more closely followed than those who do not have such features.