Neurocritical care
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Observational Study
Association of External Ventricular Drain Wean Strategy with Shunt Placement and Length of Stay in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Prospective Multicenter Study.
Survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) face a protracted intensive care unit (ICU) course and are at risk for developing refractory hydrocephalus with the need for a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). Management of the external ventricular drain (EVD) used to provide temporary cerebrospinal fluid diversion may influence the need for a VPS, ICU length of stay (LOS), and drain complications, but the optimal EVD management approach is unknown. Therefore, we sought to determine the effect of EVD discontinuation strategy on VPS rate. ⋯ A rapid EVD wean was associated with decreased rates of VPS placement, decreased ICU LOS, and decreased drain complications in survivors of aneurysmal SAH. These findings suggest that a randomized multicentered controlled study comparing rapid vs. gradual EVD weaning protocols is justified.
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Multicenter Study
Clazosentan for Improvement of Time to Peak Perfusion in Patients with Angiographically Confirmed Severe Vasospasm.
Clazosentan, an endothelin-1 receptor antagonist, has been shown to prevent the development of large vessel angiographic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We hypothesized that clazosentan can improve cerebral perfusion for territories affected by angiographically confirmed vasospasm. ⋯ In our small pilot study, intravenous clazosentan administered for at least 24 h had an effect comparable with that of intraarterial vasodilator therapy in reversing angiographically confirmed severe vasospasm. Our results may indicate that clazosentan, in an appropriately selected patient cohort, could offer a noninvasive approach for alleviating vasospasm.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Seizures and Cognitive Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Post Hoc Analysis.
Seizures and abnormal periodic or rhythmic patterns are observed on continuous electroencephalography monitoring (cEEG) in up to half of patients hospitalized with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). We aimed to determine the impact of seizures and abnormal periodic or rhythmic patterns on cognitive outcome 3 months following moderate to severe TBI. ⋯ The burden of seizures and abnormal periodic or rhythmic patterns was independently associated with worse cognition at 3 months following TBI. Their impact on longer-term cognitive endpoints and the potential benefits of seizure detection and treatment in this population warrant prospective study.
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Multicenter Study
CN-105 in Participants with Acute Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage (CATCH) Trial.
Endogenous apolipoprotein (apo) E mediates neuroinflammatory responses and recovery after brain injury. Exogenously administered apoE-mimetic peptides effectively penetrate the central nervous system compartment and downregulate acute inflammation. CN-105 is a novel apoE-mimetic pentapeptide with excellent evidence of functional and histological improvement in preclinical models of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The CN-105 in participants with Acute supraTentorial intraCerebral Hemorrhage (CATCH) trial is a first-in-disease-state multicenter open-label trial evaluating safety and feasability of CN-105 administration in patients with acute primary supratentorial ICH. ⋯ CN-105 administration represents an excellent translational candidate for treatment of acute ICH because of its safety, dosing feasibility, favorable pharmacokinetics, and possible improvement in neurological recovery.
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Multicenter Study
Association of Vasopressor Choice with Clinical and Functional Outcomes Following Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study.
Early hypotension following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased mortality and poor long-term outcomes. Current guidelines suggest the use of intravenous vasopressors to support blood pressure following TBI; however, guidelines do not specify vasopressor type, resulting in variation in clinical practice. Minimal data are available to guide clinicians on optimal early vasopressor choice to support blood pressure following TBI. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter study to examine initial vasopressor choice for the support of blood pressure following TBI and its association with clinical and functional outcomes after injury. ⋯ The majority of patients with moderate to severe TBI received either phenylephrine or norepinephrine as first-line agents for blood pressure support following brain injury. Initial choice of norepinephrine, compared with phenylephrine, was not associated with improved clinical or functional outcomes.