Articles: brain-injuries.
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Revista de neurologia · Mar 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial[A controlled, double-blind, randomized pilot clinical trial of nicardipine as compared with a placebo in patients with moderate or severe head injury].
One of the factors involved in the occurrence of ischemic cerebral lesions following head injury is cerebral vasospasm. We analyze the effect of intravenous nicardipine on the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic cerebral vasospasm. ⋯ Nicardipine is effective in the reversal and prevention of increased Doppler flow velocity in patients with moderate or severe head injury.
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In the management of severe pediatric brain injury, attention has previously been paid to brain edema, ICP elevation and low cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). However, in the acute stage within 3-6 hours after trauma, brain hypoxia and hyperglycemia associated with diffuse brain injury are often observed. We have pointed out brain thermo-pooling (elevation of brain tissue temperature) and brain hypoxia caused by defective release of oxygen from hemoglobin (due to decrease in red blood cell enzyme (DPG)) as a new mechanism of brain injury. ⋯ Another problem is immune crisis associated with secondary pulmonary infections. To prevent them, early enteral nutrition and replacement of L-arginine were most useful, as well as preconditioning for rewarming as follows: serum albumin > 3.0 g/dl; lymphocyte > 1500/mm3; T-H (CD4) lymphocytes > 55%; serum glucose, 120-140 mg/dl; vitamin A > 50 mg/dl; Hb > 12 g/dl and 2,3 DPG, 10-15 mumol/gHb; O2 ER, 23-25% and AT-III, > 100%. The clinical benefit of this therapy is still controversial.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Mar 2000
Clinical TrialThe influence of airway pressure changes on intracranial pressure (ICP) and the blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (VMCA).
Due to the exponential shape of the intracranial volume-pressure relation, simple measurement of epidural, parenchymal or intraventricular intracranial pressure (ICP) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) often fails to early recognize patients with a fulminant development of intracranial hypertension even during recently available methods of tissue PO2 and microdialysis measurements. One approach to this problem could be repetitive intracranial volume provocations to evaluate a trend of the intracranial elastance. Several previously published methods use invasive volume challenge through access to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This pilot study describes changes in intracranial pressure due to variations of airway pressure with BIPAP ventilation maneuvers. ⋯ Elevation of the venous outflow resistance and a transient increase in cardiac output have to be considered as mechanisms for transduction of transthoracic pressure changes to intracranial pressure variations. We conclude, that trends of changes in elastance can be derived from intermittent airway pressure variations. This can be useful in easy and on line dynamic monitoring of ICP in traumatic brain injury.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Mar 2000
Comparative StudyEvaluating the usage of droperidol in acutely agitated persons with brain injury.
The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of intramuscular droperidol to other intramuscularly administered agents used in the management of acutely agitated patients. Twenty-seven inpatients with a history of brain injury were prospectively monitored over a period of 2 months. Data collected for each episode of agitation include: dose, number of doses, time to achieve an adequate response or calming effect, post-episodic functioning, treatment-emergent side effects, and other patient demographics. ⋯ Both groups were similar in regard to the incidence of treatment-emergent events. This data represents the first published experience supporting the effectiveness of droperidol in reducing acute agitation in persons with brain injury. Follow-up studies with prospective, double-blind, parallel treatment groups should be performed to validate these preliminary findings.
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The circumstances of failure for nonoperative management of blunt traumatic brain injury have been poorly defined. In this study, all trauma patients identified over a 12-year period with progression of neurologic injury requiring craniotomy were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ Of the variables investigated, only anatomic location of injury was found to be predictive of early failure of nonoperative management. Frontal intraparenchymal hematomas are particularly prone to early failure. Clinical examination and intracranial pressure monitoring are equally important in detecting failure and should be an integral part of nonoperative management.