World Neurosurg
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A prospective, multicenter, randomized study of the efficacy of eicosapentaenoic acid for cerebral vasospasm: the EVAS study.
The sphingosylphosphorylcholine-Rho-kinase pathway plays an important role in Ca(2+) sensitization of vascular smooth muscle contraction. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) inhibits sphingosylphosphorylcholine -Rho-kinase-activated Ca(2+)-sensitization in vitro and in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) models in vivo and has also been shown to inhibit the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm (CIV) after the onset of SAH in a prospective, nonrandomized study. The current prospective, multicenter, randomized study was performed to confirm the preventive effects of EPA on CIV in patients with SAH. ⋯ These results indicate that oral EPA reduces the frequency of SV and CIV after the onset of aneurysmal SAH.
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The quality of life and functional outcome may be significantly impaired in patients of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The purpose of the present study was to assess the status of patients undergoing surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysms in a long-term follow-up and to identify factors affecting outcome. ⋯ Most patients who survived and were discharged continued to improve in the postoperative period even though the immediate postoperative outcome was not favorable in many. However, a substantial subset had impaired cognitive function.
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We analyzed consecutive subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) cases in patients older than 70 years of age who underwent aneurysm surgery. We report the influence of early ambulation on outcome in advanced-age SAH. ⋯ Elderly SAH patients with good Hunt-Hess grades should have a clip ligation or endovascular coiling. Early ambulation produces favorable outcome and a nondemential state in elderly SAH patients.
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Since the mid-1950s, neurosurgery has benefited from the remarkable progress due to tremendous advances in neuroimaging techniques, neuroanesthesia, neurostimulation, and brain-computer interfaces, as well as breakthroughs in operating microscopes and surgical instruments. Yet, this specialty has to do with delicate human structures and is hence considered as highly risky by insurance companies. In France, although neurosurgery's casualty rate (6%) is lower than in other specialties, the number of legal prosecutions has increased since 2002 because of easier access to medicolegal procedures. In order to avoid patients' resorting to the law courts, it becomes necessary to clearly identify the risk factors. ⋯ Some causes are definitely avoidable at no cost to the hospital. Besides basic preventive safety procedures, we reiterate the mandatory steps for a good defense when being prosecuted. The evolution of patients' attitudes toward medical institutions observed in most countries has forced surgeons to adapt their practice. In this context, a common action certified by learned societies on sustainable health care quality, patient safety, and respect of good practices appears as the golden path to maintain a favorable legal, insurance, and financial environment.