Neurocritical care
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Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) leaves most survivors dependent at follow-up. The importance of promoting M2-like microglial responses is increasingly recognized as a key element to ameliorate brain injury following ICH. The osmotherapeutic agents, mannitol and hypertonic saline (HTS), which are routinely used to reduce intracranial pressure, have been shown to reduce neuroinflammation in experimental ischemic and traumatic brain injury, but anti-inflammatory effects of osmotherapies have not been investigated in ICH. ⋯ Repeated dosing of osmotherapeutics at regular intervals may be a useful adjunct to reduce neuroinflammation following ICH.
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Observational Study
Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Severe Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis Patients.
Data concerning the characteristics and duration of the critical manifestations, treatment response, and long-term outcomes of severe anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis patients compared to those of non-severe patients are limited. This observational study was performed to explore the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of severe anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients. ⋯ Most severe anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients will eventually achieve good long-term prognoses after receiving early, positive and unremitting combined immunotherapy and life support.
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Observational Study
Semi-quantitative Cough Strength Score as a Predictor for Extubation Outcome in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Observational Study.
Between 25 and 40% of extubated patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the intensive care unit at our hospital (Assiut University Hospital-Assiut-Egypt) require reintubation. This reflects the importance of developing better criteria for predicting successful extubation in TBI. We evaluated the accuracy of semi-quantitative cough strength score (SCSS) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) in predicting extubation outcomes in TBI. ⋯ SCSS has shown promise in predicting successful extubation in TBI.
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Neurocritical care is a distinct subspecialty focusing on the optimal management of acutely ill patients with life-threatening neurologic and neurosurgical disease or with life-threatening neurologic manifestations of systemic disease. Care by expert healthcare providers to optimize neurologic recovery is necessary. Given the lack of an organizational framework and criteria for the development and maintenance of neurological critical care units (NCCUs), this document is put forth by the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS). ⋯ After an iterative process, a framework was proposed and approved by members of the writing group. A draft was then written, which was reviewed by the NCS Quality Committee and NCS Guidelines Committee, members at large, and posted for public comment. Feedback was formally collated, reviewed and incorporated into the final document which was subsequently approved by the NCS Board of Directors.