Neurocritical care
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Recent studies indicated that functional outcome after intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) related to direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC-ICH) is similar, if not better, than vitamin K antagonist (VKA)-related ICH (VKA-ICH) due to a smaller initial hematoma volume (HV). However, the association with hematoma expansion (HE) and location is not well understood. ⋯ DOAC use did not relate to worse HE, HV, and functional outcome after ICH, adding to the notion that DOAC is a safe alternative to VKA even in the absence of access to targeted reversal strategies (which are still not universally available).
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Lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is known to have better clinical outcomes and preliminary evidence of less hematoma expansion compared to deep ICH. No functional coagulation differences between lobar and deep ICH have been identified using traditional plasma-based coagulation tests. We investigated for coagulation differences between lobar and deep ICH using whole-blood coagulation testing (Rotational Thromboelastometry: [ROTEM]). ⋯ Our pilot data may suggest that there are functional coagulation differences between lobar and deep ICH identified using ROTEM. Whole-blood coagulation testing may be useful in assessing coagulopathy in ICH patients and in determining reversal treatment paradigms, though further work is needed.
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Observational Study
Daptomycin Plasma and CSF Levels in Patients with Healthcare-Associated Meningitis.
There are currently few data concerning the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration of daptomycin in patients with healthcare-associated meningitis. This study aims (1) to better characterize the pharmacokinetics of daptomycin in humans during a 7-day intravenous (IV) therapy course, and (2) to study the penetration of daptomycin in the CSF after IV infusion at the dose of 10 mg/kg. ⋯ Our POP/PK model was able to describe the pharmacokinetics of daptomycin in both plasma and CSF, showing that daptomycin (up to 7 days at 10 mg/kg) has minimal penetration into central nervous system. Furthermore, the observed variability of AUC, tmax and predicted concentration in CSF was lower than what previously reported in the literature. Based on the present findings, it is unlikely that daptomycin could reach CSF concentrations high enough to have clinical efficacy; this should be tested in future studies.
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Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening condition with a high long-term mortality. The correct prediction of the individual patient's outcome is crucial for stratifying treatment. Status epilepticus severity score (STESS) and the epidemiology-based mortality score (EMSE) are well established for predicting in-hospital mortality; however, scores indicating long-term mortality are lacking. We here studied the association of both scores with mortality after discharge and long-term mortality. ⋯ In our cohort, EMSE-EACE was significantly associated with long-term survival after discharge.
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Outcome predictions in patients with acute severe neurologic disorders are difficult and influenced by multiple factors. Since the decision for and the extent of life-sustaining therapies are based on the estimated prognosis, it is vital to understand which factors influence such estimates. This study examined whether previous professional experience with rehabilitation medicine influences physician decision-making. ⋯ Our results indicate that there are subjective factors influencing decisions to limit life-sustaining treatments that are based on previous professional experience. This finding emphasizes the variability and cognitive bias of such decision processes and should be integrated into future guidelines for specialist training on end-of-life decision-making.