Current opinion in critical care
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An important goal of neurocritical care is the management of secondary brain injury (SBI), that is pathological events occurring after primary insult that add further burden to outcome. Brain oedema, cerebral ischemia, energy dysfunction, seizures and systemic insults are the main components of SBI. We here review recent data showing the clinical utility of brain multimodality monitoring (BMM) for the management of SBI. ⋯ BMM offers an on-line comprehensive scrutiny of the injured brain and is increasingly used for the management of SBI. Integration of monitored data using new informatics tools may help optimize therapy of brain-injured patients and quality of care.
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Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remains a considerable challenge in neurocritical care medicine. This review aims to cover the recent novel aspects and results in CVS treatment. ⋯ Reviewing the recent literature, there have been some updates on recommendations and newer treatment modalities are under evaluation. However, a novel treatment with convincing evidence has not been reported so far.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Apr 2012
ReviewManifestations of the hyperadrenergic state after acute brain injury.
Hyperadrenergic activity leading to autonomic dysfunction after acute brain injury is an underrecognized, yet important source of complications following a variety of neurologic injuries. Autonomic dysfunction may prolong ICU stay and increase healthcare costs driven by extensive diagnostic workups and/or ensuing complications. In this review article, we intend to illustrate commonalities between various hyperadrenergic states in acquired brain injury. Specifically, this review will focus on autonomic dysfunction in two common conditions in the neurocritical care unit, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ The pathophysiology of autonomic dysfunction is incompletely understood and treatment options are few. However, recognizing hyperadrenergic commonality in disparate neurologic disease may facilitate novel inquiries into lesion localization and therapeutics. It is possible that adrenergic blockade may diminish or abrogate end-organ dysfunction in TBI and SAH.
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Delirium is frequently encountered in the ICU and is associated with significant adverse outcomes. The increasingly recognized consequences of ICU delirium should enhance efforts to improve recognition and management of this serious problem. We aim to review the recent literature on ICU delirium, including risk factors, detection, management and long-term impact of disease. ⋯ Delirium remains an underrecognized and underdiagnosed problem. Detection tools are readily available and easy to use. Further understanding of risk factors is needed to identify most susceptible individuals and plan management, which should include prevention and therapy based on available evidence.