Neurocritical Care最新文献

Background: Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) occurs with high prevalence among critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is associated with worse outcomes. The PSH-Assessment Measure (PSH-AM) consists of a Clinical Features Scale and a diagnosis likelihood tool (DLT) intended to quantify the severity of sympathetically mediated symptoms and the likelihood that they are due to PSH, respectively, on a daily basis. Here, we aim to identify and explore the value of dynamic trends in the evolution of sympathetic hyperactivity following acute TBI using elements of the PSH-AM.

Methods: We performed an observational cohort study of 221 acute critically ill patients with TBI for whom PSH-AM scores were calculated over the first 14 days of hospitalization. A principled group-based trajectory modeling approach using unsupervised K-means clustering was used to identify distinct patterns of Clinical Features Scale evolution within the cohort. We also evaluated the relationships between trajectory group membership and PSH diagnosis, as well as PSH DLT score, hospital discharge Glasgow Coma Scale, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Baseline clinical and demographic features predictive of trajectory group membership were analyzed using univariate screening and multivariate multinomial logistic regression.

Results: We identified four distinct trajectory groups. Trajectory group membership was significantly associated with clinical outcomes including PSH diagnosis and DLT score, intensive care unit length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Baseline features independently predictive of trajectory group membership included age and postresuscitation motor Glasgow Coma Scale.

Conclusions: This study adds to the sparse research characterizing the heterogeneous temporal trends of sympathetic nervous system activation during the acute phase following TBI. This may open avenues for early identification of at-risk patients to receive tailored interventions to limit secondary brain injury associated with autonomic dysfunction and thereby improve outcomes in patients with TBI.

Intrathecal nicardipine (ITN) is an investigational therapy for cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The objective of this scoping review was to characterize the current state of the literature and map the current available evidence, examine research methodology, clarify key concepts and definitions in the literature, report procedural characteristics, identify and analyze knowledge gaps, and serve as a precursor for future systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials. An electronic search for studies on ITN for the treatment of CVS and DCI in patients with aSAH was conducted in accordance with published standards. A total of 390 studies were identified by the search. After inclusion criteria were applied, 20 studies were identified for analysis. The identified studies included a total of 976 patients with aSAH who received ITN for the treatment of CVS and DCI. One randomized controlled trial, two prospective observational studies, nine retrospective observational studies, seven retrospective case series, and one case report met inclusion criteria. Study designs, drug administration, dosing regimens, drug concentrations, pharmacokinetics, patient selection, duration of therapy, outcome measures, adverse event monitoring, and definitions of CVS and DCI used are synthesized and discussed. Despite advances in the care of patients with aSAH, CVS and DCI remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and ITN represents a potential therapy to help prevent and treat this disease process. With one published randomized controlled trial on one method of administration, one trial underway on a second method of administration, and numerous heterogeneous and primarily retrospective studies published to date, future study with an emphasis on homogenizing study design and outcomes measured is needed to better understand this potential therapy.

Background: There is practice heterogeneity in the use, type, and duration of prophylactic antiseizure medications (ASM) in patients hospitalized with acute nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing ASM primary prophylaxis in adults hospitalized with acute nontraumatic ICH. The following population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) questions were assessed: (1) Should ASM versus no ASM be used in patients with acute ICH with no history of clinical or electrographic seizures? (2) If an ASM is used, should levetiracetam (LEV) or phenytoin/fosphenytoin (PHT/fPHT) be preferentially used? and (3) If an ASM is used, should a long (> 7 days) versus short (≤ 7 days) duration of prophylaxis be used? The main outcomes assessed were early seizure (≤ 14 days), late seizures (> 14 days), adverse events, mortality, and functional and cognitive outcomes. We used Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology to generate recommendations.

Results: The initial literature search yielded 1,988 articles, and 15 formed the basis of the recommendations. PICO 1: although there was no significant impact of ASM on the outcomes of early or late seizure or mortality, meta-analyses demonstrated increased adverse events and higher relative risk of poor functional outcomes at 90 days with prophylactic ASM use. PICO 2: we did not detect any significant positive or negative effect of PHT/fPHT compared to LEV for early seizures or adverse events, although point estimates tended to favor LEV. PICO 3: based on one decision analysis, quality-adjusted life-years were increased with a shorter duration of ASM prophylaxis.

Conclusions: We suggest avoidance of prophylactic ASM in hospitalized adult patients with acute nontraumatic ICH (weak recommendation, very low quality of evidence). If used, we suggest LEV over PHT/fPHT (weak recommendation, very low quality of evidence) for a short duration (≤ 7 days; weak recommendation, very low quality of evidence).

Nimodipine, a dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel antagonist, constitutes one of the mainstays of care to prevent delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) because it has been associated with a reduction in infarction rates and improvement in functional outcomes despite not significantly preventing angiographic vasospasm. Although it is a widely accepted treatment, controversies surrounding the current regimen of nimodipine in patients with aSAH exist. Still, there is a wide space open for randomized controlled trials or alternative study designs comparing different routes of administration, dosing, and timing of nimodipine treatment regimen in patients with aSAH.

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)/critical care ultrasound (CCU) use in medical and surgical intensive care units has surged over the last few decades. It is unclear if this has similarly translated in neurocritical care (NCC) units. We designed a survey to describe the current state of POCUS/CCU use and training among NCC providers.

Methods: An online 13-question survey was distributed nationally through newsletters and social media after endorsement by the Neurocritical Care Society. Participation was voluntary, and responses were anonymous. The survey queried respondent demographics, training, clinical use, confidence in POCUS/CCU, and barriers to POCUS/CCU use.

Results: Overall, 119 NCC providers responded to the survey. Most respondents were attending neurointensivists (52.1%) and had completed neurology residency training (62.2%). Approximately 23% of respondents did not have training in POCUS/CCU, and 71% of respondents had not completed POCUS/CCU board-certified training. Fifty-five percent of respondents used POCUS/CCU in their practice frequently, and 37% used it rarely on a weekly basis. Thirty-six percent and 42% of respondents felt moderately skilled at acquiring and interpreting POCUS/CCU images, respectively. Ultrasound guidance for procedures was the most common technique used by respondents. Most respondents felt that using ultrasound for volume status, procedural guidance, and evaluation of shock influenced clinical decision-making. Lack of confidence in interpreting data/imaging and comfort in performing POCUS/CCU were the most common barriers to ultrasound use. Respondents agreed with incorporation of POCUS/CCU training in NCC fellowship milestones and creating resources for credentialing providers in POCUS/CCU to increase use of POCUS/CCU in NCC.

Conclusions: This national survey indicated that POCUS/CCU is moderately used among NCC providers. However, more formalized and robust training in POCUS/CCU is needed for trainees and practitioners in NCC to enhance comfortability with using ultrasound for clinical assessments.

Background: It has been suggested that intraspinal pressure (ISP) below the dura is elevated following traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). The dura can maintain the pressure, and hence a subdural compartment syndrome has been hypothesized to develop regardless of bony decompression. This study aimed to evaluate whether a such intradural compartment syndrome develops during the first 72 h in a porcine TSCI model.

Methods: First, in a randomized sham controlled-trial design, longitudinal ISP measurements were performed over a period of 72 h from onset of TSCI. TSCI was inflicted by a weight-drop contusion regime: 75-g rod, 75-mm free fall, and 5-min compression of the spinal cord. Second, in a sham-controlled dose-response design longitudinal ISP measurements were performed over a period of 16 h from the onset of TSCI, using two other contusion regimes: 75-g rod, 125-mm free fall, and 5-min compression; and 75-g rod, 75-mm free fall, and 240-min compression. Animals were kept sedated for the entire course of the study using propofol, fentanyl, and midazolam.

Results: Intraspinal pressure increased in TSCI and sham animals alike, but we found no significant increases in ISP following TSCI compared with the sham group, and we found no relationship between the ISP increase and larger impacts or increased time of compression.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the subdural swelling of the spinal cord following thoracic TSCI is not responsible for the ISP increase measured in our TSCI model, but that the ISP increase was caused by the surgical procedure or the reconstitution of normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

Background: Timely palliative care (PC) consultations offer demonstrable benefits for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), yet their implementation remains inconsistent. This study employs machine learning methods to identify distinct patient phenotypes and elucidate the primary drivers of PC consultation timing variability in TBI management, aiming to uncover disparities and inform more equitable care strategies.

Methods: Data on admission, hospital course, and outcomes were collected for a cohort of 232 patients with TBI who received both PC consultations and neurosurgical consultations during the same hospitalization. Patient phenotypes were uncovered using principal component analysis and K-means clustering; time-to-PC consultation for each phenotype was subsequently compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. An extreme gradient boosting model with Shapley Additive Explanations identified key factors influencing PC consultation timing.

Results: Three distinct patient clusters emerged: cluster A (n = 86), comprising older adult White women (median 87 years) with mild TBI, received the earliest PC consultations (median 2.5 days); cluster B (n = 108), older adult White men (median 81 years) with mild TBI, experienced delayed PC consultations (median 5.0 days); and cluster C (n = 38), middle-aged (median: 46.5 years), severely injured, non-White patients, had the latest PC consultations (median 9.0 days). The clusters did not differ by discharge disposition (p = 0.4) or inpatient mortality (p > 0.9); however, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant difference in time-to-PC consultation (p < 0.001), despite no differences in time-to-mortality (p = 0.18). Shapley Additive Explanations analysis of the extreme gradient boosting model identified age, sex, and race as the most influential drivers of PC consultation timing.

Conclusions: This study unveils crucial disparities in PC consultation timing for patients with TBI, primarily driven by demographic factors rather than clinical presentation or injury characteristics. The identification of distinct patient phenotypes and quantification of factors influencing PC consultation timing provide a foundation for developing for standardized protocols and decision support tools to ensure timely and equitable palliative care access for patients with TBI.