Neurocritical care
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Meta Analysis
Imaging for Neuroprognostication After Cardiac Arrest: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Predicting neurological outcome in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest relies on clinical findings, radiological and neurophysiological test results. To evaluate the predictive accuracy of brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for prognostication of neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. ⋯ Decreased grey to white matter ratio on CT and DWI or DWI and FLAIR on MRI are useful adjuncts for predicting poor early neurological outcome after cardiac arrest.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Sequential Pneumatic Compression in the Arm in Neurocritical Patients with a Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter: A Randomized Trial.
Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are increasingly used for parenteral access in critically ill hospitalized patients, but they increase the incidence of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UE DVT). Sequential compression devices (SCDs) applied to the legs effectively reduce lower extremity DVT, but have not been tested in the arms. Our objective was to determine whether SCDs applied to the arm may reduce the risk of PICC-associated UE DVT. ⋯ Although UE DVT is commonly associated with PICC use, the results of this trial do not support the use of SCD on the arm for DVT prevention. Further research on this strategy may nonetheless be justified.
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The International Conference on Spreading Depolarizations (iCSD) held in Boca Raton, Florida, in the September of 2018 devoted a section to address the question, "What should a clinician do when spreading depolarizations are observed in a patient?" Discussants represented a wide range of expertise, including neurologists, neurointensivists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, and pre-clinical neuroscientists, to provide both clinical and basic pathophysiology perspectives. A draft summary of viewpoints offered was then written by a multidisciplinary writing group of iCSD members, based on a transcript of the session. Feedback of all discussants was formally collated, reviewed, and incorporated into the final document which was subsequently approved by all authors.
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Review
Treatment of Movement Disorder Emergencies in Autoimmune Encephalitis in the Neurosciences ICU.
Immune response against neuronal and glial cell surface and cytosolic antigens is an important cause of encephalitis. It may be triggered by activation of the immune system in response to an infection (para-infectious), cancer (paraneoplastic), or due to a patient's tendency toward autoimmunity. Antibodies directed toward neuronal cell surface antigens are directly pathogenic, whereas antibodies with intracellular targets may become pathogenic if the antigen is transiently exposed to the cell surface or via activation of cytotoxic T cells. ⋯ Treatment options include immunotherapy and symptomatic agents affecting dopamine or acetylcholine neurotransmission. There has been no prior published guidance for management of these movement disorders for the intensivist. Herein, we discuss the immune-mediated encephalitis most likely to cause critical illness, clinical features and mechanisms of movement disorders and propose a management algorithm.
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The proportion of hospitals with specialist palliative care services in the USA has increased substantially over the past decade. Severe acute brain injury presents with unique challenges, especially regarding quality of life. The growth and increased recognition of neurocritical care as a subspecialty has not been paralleled by studies regarding how best to integrate palliative care for this unique patient population. Thus, we surveyed members of the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) to explore current practice patterns, perceptions, and preferences regarding integration of palliative care in the neurological intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU). ⋯ Our study provides insights into the current perceptions, practice patterns, and preferences of neurointensivists as it relates to palliative care consultation in the Neuro-ICU.