Current opinion in critical care
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This review will report on the new aspects of management of 'malignant' middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions. ⋯ The era of decompressive hemicraniectomy has changed the prospects of patients with large infarctions in the MCA or internal carotid artery territory who are at risk of development of 'malignant' cerebral edema. Timing of surgery and appropriate patient selection based on age and other criteria need to be refined.
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Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) has a high morbidity and mortality. There are currently no definitive data to guide both the optimal choice of therapy and treatment goals. This review focuses on RSE diagnosis and outcome and discusses both commonly used and anecdotal therapies for RSE. ⋯ A number of different therapeutic options are available for the treatment of RSE but none have been shown to be superior to others at this point.
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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.
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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.