Neurocritical care
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Strict glycemic control (SGC) is reported to have a beneficial effect on critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy (CINM) and the duration of mechanical ventilation. The methodology used to diagnose CINM differs substantially in studies on this topic. This may influence the reported treatment effect. ⋯ SGC seems to have a beneficial effect on CINM, but the reported risk reduction is likely to be an overestimation of the treatment effect due to the diagnostic methods used. Duration of mechanical ventilation may not be a reliable surrogate marker for CINM and a beneficial effect of SGC on this parameter has not been proven. We propose to use the recently developed diagnostic criteria for ICU-acquired weakness and critical illness neuromyopathy in future studies.
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Brain tissue oxygen (PbtO(2)) monitoring is used in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. How brain reduced PbtO(2) should be treated and its response to treatment is not clearly defined. We examined which medical therapies restore normal PbtO(2) in TBI patients. ⋯ Reduced PbtO(2) may occur in TBI patients despite efforts to maintain CPP. Medical interventions other than those to treat ICP and CPP can improve PbtO(2). This may increase the number of therapies for severe TBI in the ICU.
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Poor clinical condition is the most important predictor of neurological outcome and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm was shown to be associated with acute ischemic brain injury in poor grade patients in autopsy studies and small magnetic resonance imaging series. ⋯ Admission DWI demonstrates multifocal areas of acute ischemic injury in poor grade SAH patients. These ischemic lesions may be related to transient intracranial circulatory arrest, acute vasoconstriction, microcirculatory disturbances, or decreased cerebral perfusion from neurogenic cardiac dysfunction. Ischemic brain injury in poor grade SAH may be a feasible target for acute resuscitation strategies.
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Review Meta Analysis
Locally-administered intrathecal thrombolytics following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The volume and clearance rate of blood in the basal cisterns and ventricles are important predictors of complications following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Thus, there is a strong rationale for interventions aimed at accelerating the clearance of blood. ⋯ Current data suggests that intrathecal thrombolytics improve outcomes following SAH. However, there are important limitations to existing RCTs, with considerable risk of bias. Further standardization of techniques and evaluation in larger, more rigorous RCTs is required.