Decision making in very severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale 3-5): a literature review of acute neurosurgical management.

Introduction: Patients presenting with an early Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Score of 3-5 after blunt or penetrating skull-brain assaults are categorized as having sustained a very severe traumatic brain injury (vs-TBI). This category is often overlooked in literature. Impact on patients and families lives however is huge and the question "whether to surgically treat or not" frequently poses a dilemma to treating physicians.

Factors Influencing the Reliability of the Glasgow Coma Scale: A Systematic Review.

Background: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) characterizes patients with diminished consciousness. In a recent systematic review, we found overall adequate reliability across different clinical settings, but reliability estimates varied considerably between studies, and methodological quality of studies was overall poor. Identifying and understanding factors that can affect its reliability is important, in order to promote high standards for clinical use of the GCS.

The reliability of the Glasgow Coma Scale: a systematic review.

Introduction: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) provides a structured method for assessment of the level of consciousness. Its derived sum score is applied in research and adopted in intensive care unit scoring systems. Controversy exists on the reliability of the GCS.

Lack of Standardization in the Use of the Glasgow Coma Scale: Results of International Surveys.

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was introduced 40 years ago and has received world-wide acceptance. The GCS rates eye, motor, and verbal responses to assess the level of consciousness. Concerns have been expressed with regard to reliability and consistency of assessments.

Adiponectin deficiency blunts hypoxia-induced mobilization and homing of circulating angiogenic cells.

Aim. We investigated the effects of adiponectin deficiency on circulating angiogenic cell (CAC) mobilization, homing, and neovascularization in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods & Results.