British journal of anaesthesia
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In the past decade, the neuroradiological diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases has undergone significant advances. With the introduction of varying diagnostic and interventional neuroradiological techniques and advances in the materials used for endovascular treatment, increasingly complex diagnostic and therapeutic neuroradiological procedures are being performed on extremely sick patients. ⋯ This produces challenges for the neuroanaesthetist, and understanding the anaesthetic implications of the current developments in neuroradiology is important in the management of these patients. This review provides an overview of diagnostic and therapeutic neuroradiological procedures, with special reference interventional neuroradiology, and the anaesthetic management of patients undergoing these procedures.
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Neuroanaesthesia continues to develop and expand. It is a speciality where the knowledge and expertise of the anaesthetist can directly influence patient outcome. Evolution of neurosurgical practice is accompanied by new challenges for the anaesthetist. ⋯ With the increasing popularity of awake craniotomies, there is even more emphasis on this skill. However, despite high-quality anaesthetic research and advances in drugs and monitoring modalities, many controversies remain regarding best clinical practice. This review will discuss some of the current controversies in elective neurosurgical practice, future perspectives, and the place of awake craniotomies in the armamentarium of the neuroanaesthetist.
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The anaesthetist may be involved at various stages in the management of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Thus, familiarity with epidemiological, pathophysiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic issues is as important as detailed knowledge of the optimal intraoperative anaesthetic management. As the prognosis of SAH remains poor, prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential, because early treatment may improve outcome. ⋯ Occlusion of the aneurysm after SAH is usually attempted surgically ('clipping') or endovascularly by detachable coils ('coiling'). The need for an adequate CPP (for the prevention of cerebral ischaemia and cerebral vasospasm) must be balanced against the need for a low transmural pressure gradient of the aneurysm (for the prevention of rupture of the aneurysm). Effective measures to prevent or attenuate increases in intracranial pressure, brain swelling, and cerebral vasospasm throughout all phases of anaesthesia are prerequisite for optimal outcome.
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This review examines the evidence base for the early management of head-injured patients. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, carries a high morbidity and mortality, and has no specific treatment. The pathology of head injury is increasingly well understood. ⋯ Most of these are fixed at the time of injury such as age, gender, mechanism of injury, and presenting signs (Glasgow Coma Scale and pupillary signs), but some such as hypotension and hypoxia are potential areas for medical intervention. There is very little evidence positively in favour of any treatments or packages of early care; however, prompt, specialist neurocritical care is associated with improved outcome. Various drugs that target specific pathways in the pathophysiology of brain injury have been the subject of animal and human research, but, to date, none has been proved to be successful in improving outcome.
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Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is performed to prevent embolic stroke in patients with atheromatous disease at the carotid bifurcation. There is now substantial evidence to support early operation in symptomatic patients, ideally within 2 weeks of the last neurological symptoms. Thus, the anaesthetist may be faced with a high risk patient in whom there has been limited time for preoperative preparation. ⋯ In particular, postoperative hypotension may compromise both myocardial and cerebral perfusion, and severe hypertension can cause cerebral hyperperfusion. There is as yet limited evidence to guide the management of these problems. In summary, CEA can yield significant benefit, but those with the most to gain from the operation also present the greatest challenge to the anaesthetist.