Current neurology and neuroscience reports
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Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep · Nov 2002
ReviewContinuous electroencephalographic monitoring in neurocritical care.
This article reviews current and future applications of continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) to monitor brain function and physiology in the neurologic intensive care unit. In comatose patients, cEEG may provide otherwise unobtainable information and influence therapeutic management, and also help determine the prognosis of patients with acute brain injury. ⋯ Other potential applications include prognostication in coma and titration of continuous infusion sedative therapy. New technologic developments include continuous digital video EEG, automated seizure-detection software, and user-friendly online quantitative EEG analysis.
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Neuromuscular weakness commonly develops in the setting of critical illness. This weakness delays recovery and often causes prolonged ventilator dependence. An axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy, critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), is seen in up to one third of critically ill patients with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (usually due to sepsis). ⋯ These patients are often difficult to evaluate due to the limitations imposed by the critical care setting and may be further complicated by the presence of both CIP and CIM in varying degrees. This paper reviews the clinical and electrophysiologic features of these disorders, as well as the putative pathophysiology. In the case of CIM, an animal model has provided evidence that weakness in this disorder is caused by muscle membrane inexcitability due to altered membrane sodium currents and loss of myosin thick filaments.
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Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep · Nov 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialValacyclovir and famciclovir therapy in herpes zoster.
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Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep · Nov 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialHypothermia for neuroprotection after cardiac arrest.