Education Research: Variation in priorities for neurocritical care education expressed across role groups.

Objective: To define expectations for neurocritical care (NCC) core competencies vs competencies considered within the domain of other subspecialists.

Methods: An electronic survey was disseminated nationally to NCC nurses, physicians, fellows, and neurology residents through Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education neurology residency program directors, United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties neurocritical care fellowship program directors, and members of the Neurocritical Care Society.

Results: A total of 268 neurocritical care providers and neurology residents from 30 institutions responded.

Timing of INR reversal using fresh-frozen plasma in warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage.

Rapid reversal of coagulopathy is recommended in warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (WAICH). However, rapid correction of the INR has not yet been proven to improve clinical outcomes, and the rate of correction with fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) can be variable. We sought to determine whether faster INR reversal with FFP is associated with decreased hematoma expansion and improved outcome.

Profiles of Urine Drug Test in Clinical Pain Patients vs Pain Research Study Subjects.

Objective: To examine similarities and differences in urine drug test (UDT) results in clinical pain patients and pain subjects participating in pain research studies.

Design: An observational study with retrospective chart review and data analysis.

Methods: We analyzed 1,874 UDT results obtained from 1) clinical pain patients (Clinical Group; n = 1,529) and 2) pain subjects consented to participate in pain research studies (Research Group; n = 345).

Reversal strategies for vitamin K antagonists in acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective: There is little evidence to guide treatment strategies for intracerebral hemorrhage on vitamin K antagonists (VKA-ICH). Treatments utilized in clinical practice include fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Our aim was to compare case fatality with different reversal strategies.

Increased pain sensitivity in chronic pain subjects on opioid therapy: a cross-sectional study using quantitative sensory testing.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity to experimental pain of chronic pain patients on opioid therapy vs chronic pain patients on non-opioid therapy and healthy subjects by quantitative sensory testing (QST).

Setting: There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that chronic use of opioid drugs may alter pain sensitivity. Identifying the characteristic changes in thermal pain sensitivity in chronic opioid users will be helpful in diagnosing pain sensitivity alterations associated with chronic opioid use.