Current opinion in critical care
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Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remains a considerable challenge in neurocritical care medicine. This review aims to cover the recent novel aspects and results in CVS treatment. ⋯ Reviewing the recent literature, there have been some updates on recommendations and newer treatment modalities are under evaluation. However, a novel treatment with convincing evidence has not been reported so far.
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Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) has a high morbidity and mortality. There are currently no definitive data to guide both the optimal choice of therapy and treatment goals. This review focuses on RSE diagnosis and outcome and discusses both commonly used and anecdotal therapies for RSE. ⋯ A number of different therapeutic options are available for the treatment of RSE but none have been shown to be superior to others at this point.
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Recovery and rehabilitation after critical illness is a vital part of intensive care management. The role of feeding and nutritional intervention is the subject of many recent studies. The gastric hormone ghrelin has effects on appetite and food intake and on immunomodulatory functions. Here we review the interactions between critical illness, appetite regulation, nutrition and ghrelin. ⋯ Enhancing recovery from critical illness will improve both short-term and long-term outcomes. Ghrelin may offer an important means of improving appetite, muscle mass and rehabilitation in the period after critical illness, although studies are needed to see whether this potential is realized.
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This review will report on the new aspects of management of 'malignant' middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions. ⋯ The era of decompressive hemicraniectomy has changed the prospects of patients with large infarctions in the MCA or internal carotid artery territory who are at risk of development of 'malignant' cerebral edema. Timing of surgery and appropriate patient selection based on age and other criteria need to be refined.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Apr 2012
ReviewManifestations of the hyperadrenergic state after acute brain injury.
Hyperadrenergic activity leading to autonomic dysfunction after acute brain injury is an underrecognized, yet important source of complications following a variety of neurologic injuries. Autonomic dysfunction may prolong ICU stay and increase healthcare costs driven by extensive diagnostic workups and/or ensuing complications. In this review article, we intend to illustrate commonalities between various hyperadrenergic states in acquired brain injury. Specifically, this review will focus on autonomic dysfunction in two common conditions in the neurocritical care unit, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ The pathophysiology of autonomic dysfunction is incompletely understood and treatment options are few. However, recognizing hyperadrenergic commonality in disparate neurologic disease may facilitate novel inquiries into lesion localization and therapeutics. It is possible that adrenergic blockade may diminish or abrogate end-organ dysfunction in TBI and SAH.