PY inhibitors in neuroendovascular surgery: An opportunity for precision medicine.

Introduction: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), primarily the combination of aspirin with a P2Y12 inhibitor, in patients undergoing intravascular stent or flow diverter placement remains the primary strategy to reduce device-related thromboembolic complications. However, selection, timing, and dosing of DAPT is critical and can be challenging given the existing significant inter- and intraindividual response variations to P2Y12 inhibitors.

Methods: Assessment of indexed, peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2020 in interventional cardiology and neuroendovascular therapeutics with critical, peer-reviewed appraisal and extraction of evidence and strategies to utilize DAPT in cardio- and neurovascular patients with endoluminal devices.

Lower complication rates associated with transradial versus transfemoral flow diverting stent placement.

Background: Currently, there are no large-scale studies in the neurointerventional literature comparing safety between transradial (TRA) and transfemoral (TFA) approaches for flow diversion procedures. This study aims to assess complication rates in a large multicenter registry for TRA versus TFA flow diversion.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed flow diversion cases for cerebral aneurysms from 14 institutions from 2010 to 2019.

Correction to: Standards for Neurologic Critical Care Units: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from The Neurocritical Care Society.

The authors note that there is a discrepancy between the text of the paper and Table 2 regarding physician subspecialty certification requirements in neurocritical care for Level II centers.

Standards for Neurologic Critical Care Units: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from The Neurocritical Care Society.

Neurocritical care is a distinct subspecialty focusing on the optimal management of acutely ill patients with life-threatening neurologic and neurosurgical disease or with life-threatening neurologic manifestations of systemic disease. Care by expert healthcare providers to optimize neurologic recovery is necessary. Given the lack of an organizational framework and criteria for the development and maintenance of neurological critical care units (NCCUs), this document is put forth by the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS).

Angioinvasive Aspergillus-associated Stroke in an Immunocompetent Host Following Cardiac Surgery and ECMO.

Introduction: Invasive cerebral aspergillosis is an uncommon cause of stroke among immunocompetent patients and has not been reported in association with cardiac surgery or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We report the case of an immunocompetent host who developed aspergillus-associated stroke following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and ECMO.

Case Report: A 59-year-old woman developed cardiogenic shock after 3-vessel-CABG requiring intra-aortic balloon pump placement and subsequent veno-arterial ECMO.

Paradoxical cerebrovascular hemodynamic changes with nicardipine.

OBJECTIVE Intravenous nicardipine is commonly used for blood pressure reduction in patients with acute stroke. However, few studies have described its effects on cerebrovascular hemodynamics as measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) waveform analysis and pulsatility index (PI). In this study, the authors report examples of a consistent but paradoxical finding associated with nicardipine that suggests intracranial vasoconstriction, contrary to what is expected from a vasodilator.

Neurological Prognostication of Cardiac Arrest in an Era of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

A neuron-specific enolase level greater than 33 ng/mL at days 1 to 3 or status myoclonus within 1 day are traditional indicators of poor neurological prognosis in survivors of cardiac arrest. We report the case of a 70-year-old man who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following cardiac arrest. Despite having both an elevated neuron-specific enolase concentration of 68 ng/mL and status myoclonus, he made an excellent neurological recovery.

Systematic Quality Assessment of Published Antishivering Protocols.

Shivering is a common side effect of targeted temperature modulation and general anesthesia. Antishivering strategies often employ a stepwise approach involving both pharmacological and physical interventions. However, approaches to treat shivering are often empiric and vary widely across care environments.

Transcranial Doppler Changes in Patients Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) has significant implications for neurovascular assessment in patients being treated with venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). However, there have been no studies demonstrating the changes in pulsatility indices (PIs) seen in these patients. Nonpulsatile waveforms are seen during on-pump coronary artery bypass graft, but low or low-normal PIs have never been reported.

Optimizing Outcomes for Mechanically Ventilated Patients in an Era of Endovascular Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapy.

Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy is a new standard of care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The majority of these patients receive mechanical ventilation (MV), which has been associated with poor outcomes. The implication of this is significant, as most neurointerventionalists prefer general compared to local anesthesia during the procedure.

Pentobarbital-Induced Myocardial Stunning in Status Epilepticus Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction. Mild hypotension is a well-recognized complication of intravenous pentobarbital; however fulminant cardiopulmonary failure has not been previously reported. Case Report.

Hospital Readmission Rates Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Tracheostomy is frequently performed in patients with severe ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Little is known about readmission rates among stroke patients who undergo mechanical ventilation.

Methods: We used previously validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition-Clinical Modification codes and data on all discharges from nonfederal acute care hospitals in 3 states.

Efficacy of Nonpharmacological Antishivering Interventions: A Systematic Analysis.

Objective: We performed a systematic review of the published evidence regarding nonpharmacologic antishivering interventions in various clinical settings.

Data Sources: Studies through November 2014 were identified using predefined search terms in electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE: Excerpta Medica (Ovid), and Web of Science.

Study Selection: All identified articles were critically analyzed by applying prespecified criteria.

Effect of early mobilization on sedation practices in the neurosciences intensive care unit: a preimplementation and postimplementation evaluation.

Introduction: The use of sedation and analgesia protocols, daily interruption of sedation, and early mobilization (EM) have been shown to decrease duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted during a 6-month premobilization (pre-EM) and 6-month postmobilization (post-EM) period. Patients older than 18 years who were admitted to the neurosciences intensive care unit (ICU) and mechanically ventilated for at least 24 hours without documentation of withdrawal of life support or brain death were included.

Mechanical Ventilation for Acute Stroke: A Multi-state Population-Based Study.

Background: Mechanical ventilation is frequently performed in patients with ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In this study, we used statewide administrative claims data to examine the rates of use, associated conditions, and in-hospital mortality rates for mechanically ventilated stroke patients.

Methods: We used statewide administrative claims data from three states and ICD-9-CM codes to identify patients admitted with stroke and those who received mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy.

A 59-year-old man with acute onset of paralysis.

Botulism is a neuroparalytic illness resulting from the action of a potent toxin produced by the organism Clostridium botulinum. It can present with a classic triad of clear mentation, bulbar palsy and symmetric descending paralysis. Treatment is symptomatic and includes a botulinum antitoxin.

Mold infections of the central nervous system.

The recent outbreak of meningitis linked to epidural injections of methylprednisolone acetate has brought renewed attention to mold infections of the central nervous system (CNS). Although uncommon, these infections are often devastating and difficult to treat. This focused review of the epidemiologic aspects, clinical characteristics, and treatment of mold infections of the CNS covers a group of common pathogens: aspergillus, fusarium, and scedosporium species, molds in the order Mucorales, and dematiaceous molds.

Hemicraniectomy and durotomy upon deterioration from infarction-related swelling trial: randomized pilot clinical trial.

Background And Purpose: Hemicraniectomy and Durotomy Upon Deterioration From Infarction-Related Swelling Trial (HeADDFIRST) was a randomized pilot study to obtain information necessary to design a Phase III trial to evaluate the benefit of surgical decompression for brain swelling from large supratentorial cerebral hemispheric infarction.

Methods: All patients with stroke were screened for eligibility (age 18-75 years, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale≥18 with Item 1a<2 [responsive to minor stimulation], and CT demonstrating unilateral, complete middle cerebral artery territory infarction by specific imaging criteria). All enrolled patients were treated using a standardized medical treatment protocol.

A young man with altered mental status and new-onset seizures.

Signs and symptoms of a subacute, progressive, imaging-negative encephalopathy can be misdiagnosed as a neuropsychiatric or progressive neurodegenerative disorder. However, encephalopathies often can be reversed if the autoimmune component is recognized early through a careful history and diagnostic testing, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis for antibodies.

Depressed mood and quality of life after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Cognitive impairment is widely considered the main cause of disability and handicap after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The impact of depression on recovery after SAH remains poorly defined. We sought to determine the frequency of post-SAH depression, identify risk factors for its development, and evaluate the impact of depression on quality of life (QOL) during the first year of recovery.

Efficacy spectrum of antishivering medications: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: Shivering after anesthesia or in the critical care setting is frequent, can be prolonged, and has the potential for serious adverse events and worsening outcomes. Furthermore, there are conflicting published data and clinical protocols on how to best treat shivering. In this study, we aimed to critically analyze the published evidence of antishivering medications.

Factors contributing to ventriculostomy infection.

Objective: Catheter-related infection remains a cause of morbidity in the use of external ventricular drains (EVDs). The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to assess the rate and factors related to ventriculostomy infections in the setting of the published literature.

Methods: Patients that underwent EVD placement in a single-center were retrospectively reviewed.

Endovascular management of distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Background: Aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), especially those located in the distal portion of the AICA, are rare. There are few reported cases treated with surgery or endovascular embolization.

Case Description: We report two cases of fusiform distal AICA aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Using CT perfusion during the early baseline period in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage to assess for development of vasospasm.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate computed tomography perfusion (CTP) during admission baseline period (days 0-3) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (A-SAH) for development of vasospasm.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on A-SAH patients from Dec 2004 to Feb 2007 with CTP on days 0-3. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT) maps were analyzed for qualitative perfusion deficits.

Locked-in syndrome from rostro-caudal herniation.

Locked-in syndrome (LIS) is often caused by ventral pontine injury involving the perforating pontine vessels of the basilar artery and recovery is rarely reported. We report a patient who developed LIS acutely after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and rostro-caudal herniation from hydrocephalus. The patient's clinical course and diagnostic studies suggest that the likely mechanism of this patient's LIS is mechanical compression of the ventral pons anteriorly against the clivus.