Neurocritical care
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Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a complication of acquired brain injury manifesting with episodic tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, diaphoresis, hypertonia, and posturing. No universally accepted diagnostic criteria exist and diagnosis is often delayed until the rehabilitation phase. ⋯ Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity can be diagnosed early in the ICU. Strict diagnostic criteria supported the clinician's diagnosis in the majority of cases. Diagnosis should not be rejected because of any particular sign's absence, especially dystonia and posturing.
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To summarize trends in status epilepticus (SE) in the United States by age, race, sex, admission source, disposition, incidence rates, and mortality. ⋯ The incidence of SE increased nearly fourfold with relatively unchanged mortality. Gender and racial disparities exist in the incidence of SE, and age is an important predictor of mortality.
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Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with intraventricular extension (IVH) is a devastating disease with a particular high mortality. In some aspects, IVH may resemble subarachnoid hemorrhage. The incidence and role of cerebral vasospasm in ICH with IVH are poorly understood. Here, we aimed to analyze the incidence and relationship of cerebral vasospasm to clinical characteristics, in-hospital mortality, and functional outcome at 3 months in patients suffering ICH with IVH. ⋯ Cerebral vasospasm seems to be a frequent complication after ICH with IVH and might be associated with DCI. Larger studies are warranted to confirm this hypothesis.