Neurocritical care
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Neuroprotection through targeted temperature management is currently investigated in patients with severe brain injury in multiple trials. Feedback devices have been shown to precisely reach and maintain target temperature by constantly adjusting cooling activity. We analyzed the association between cooling activity expressed as cool bath temperatures and functional neurological outcome. ⋯ High cooling activity of an endovascular feedback device is associated with favorable outcome in patients with severe cerebrovascular disease.
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To determine the prevalence, type, and significance of brain damage in critically ill patients with a primary non-neurological diagnosis developing acute brain dysfunction. ⋯ In critically ill patients without known neurological disease who have acute brain dysfunction, MRI reveals an unexpectedly high burden of underlying brain damage, which is associated with unfavorable outcome. The results indicate that brain damage could be an important and under-recognized factor contributing to critical illness brain dysfunction.
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Patients developing stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have increased risk of vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia and death. We evaluated whether high-sensitive troponin T (hsTnT) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) are useful biomarkers for early detection of SIC after SAH. ⋯ The cardiac biomarkers, hsTnT and NTproBNP, are increased early after SAH and levels are considerably higher in patients with SIC. These biomarkers are useful for screening of SIC, which could make earlier diagnosis and treatment of SIC in SAH patients possible.
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The risk of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with large cerebral artery vasospasm, but vasospasm is not a strong predictor for DCI. Assessment of cerebral autoregulation with transcranial Doppler (TCD) may improve the prediction of DCI. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the value of TCD-derived variables to be used alone or in combination for prediction of DCI. ⋯ Early deterioration of cerebral autoregulation was strongly predictive of DCI in patients with large artery vasospasm after low-grade SAH. Our results suggest that consideration to both cerebral blood flow velocities and cerebral autoregulation may improve the prediction of DCI.
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Although attention to neurologic injuries and illnesses in pediatric critical care is not new, a sub-specialized field of pediatric neurocritical care has only recently been recognized. Pediatric neurocritical care is an emerging area of clinical and investigative focus. Little is known about the prevalence of specialized pediatric neurocritical care services nor about perceptions regarding how it is impacting medical practice. This survey sought to capture perceptions about an emerging area of specialized pediatric neurocritical care among practitioners in intersecting disciplines, including pediatric intensivists, pediatric neurologits and pediatric neurosurgeons. ⋯ PNCC programs are not uncommon; however, there is not clear agreement on the optimal role or benefit of this area of practice sub-specialization. A broader dialog should be undertaken regarding the emerging practice of pediatric neurocritical care, the potential benefits and drawbacks of this partitioning of neurology and critical care medicine practice, economic and other practical factors, the organization of clinical support services, and the formalization of training and certification pathways for sub-specialization.