Neurocritical care
-
Perampanel is a novel anti-epileptic drug (AED) which acts as a non-competitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist to reduce glutamate-mediated postsynaptic excitation. Previous animal studies and a few case reports/series have suggested that it may be effective to treat refractory status epilepticus (RSE). ⋯ Perampanel may be an effective add-on treatment for RSE even in patients who failed multiple AEDs. Our study suggests that perampanel may be more effective for focal motor SE and convulsive SE than non-convulsive SE. As most previous studies have focused on non-convulsive SE, further studies are warranted to clarify the effectiveness of perampanel for different subtypes of SE.
-
Oral nimodipine is used for prophylaxis and treatment of delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with aneurysmal or perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In cases of serious refractory cerebral vasospasm, a continuous intra-arterial (IA) infusion of nimodipine (CIAN) may be required to avoid cerebral ischemia. Nimodipine can cause arterial hypotension requiring either a dosage reduction or its discontinuation. Aim of the present study was to examine the effect of different nimodipine formulations on arterial blood pressure in aneurysmal or perimesencephalic SAH patients and to measure the plasma levels after both, peroral administration as tablet or solution and IA infusion. ⋯ Dosage reduction or discontinuation of oral nimodipine is often necessary in patients with higher-grade SAH. Oral nimodipine solutions cause drops in blood pressure more frequently than tablets. Intra-arterial infusion rates of less than 1 mg/h result in venous plasma concentrations of nimodipine similar to those observed after oral application of 60 mg every 4 h.
-
We now recognize that the main breathing generator resides principally in the medulla oblongata. Vivisectionists-specifically, Julien Legallois-discovered "the respiratory center." Cutting through the brainstem stops respiration but not if the medulla remains intact and the brain is sliced in successive portions. Pierre Flourens localized surgical ablation experiments further identified a 1-mm area in the medulla, which he called vital knot or node (noeud vital). Detailed characterization had to wait until the 1920s, when Lumsden carried out more specific transection experiments to improve morphological differentiation of the respiratory center into inspiratory and expiratory divisions.
-
Observational Study
Decompressive Hemicraniectomy in Elderly Patients With Space-Occupying Infarction (DECAP): A Prospective Observational Study.
Decompressive hemicraniectomy improves survival rates and functional outcome in patients with space-occupying middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. We sought to determine clinical outcomes in elderly patients with MCA infarction treated with hemicraniectomy and to identify factors associated with functional outcome. ⋯ In this single-center cohort of elderly patients with space-occupying MCA infarction and decompressive hemicraniectomy, the probability for survival without severe disability was low. Lethality at 6 and 12 months was comparable to previously reported data from a randomized trial.
-
Blood type has become an increasingly recognized risk factor for coagulopathy. We explored the association between blood type and hematoma expansion (HE) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ⋯ There may be differences in HE after ICH in patients with different blood types. Further work is required to replicate these findings and identify the pathophysiologic mechanisms behind coagulopathy between blood types after ICH.