Background: Cerebral vasospasm is one of the leading courses for disability in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Effective treatment of vasospasm is therefore one of the main priorities for these patients. We report about a case series of continuous intra-arterial infusion of the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine for 1-5 days on the intensive care unit.
Methods: In thirty patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and refractory vasospasm continuous infusion of nimodipine was started on the neurosurgical intensive care unit. The effect of nimodipine on brain perfusion, cerebral blood flow, brain tissue oxygenation, and blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries was monitored.
Results: Based on Hunt & Hess grades on admission, 83% survived in a good clinical condition and 23% recovered without an apparent neurological deficit. Persistent ischemic areas were seen in 100% of patients with GOS 1-3 and in 69% of GOS 4-5 patients. Regional cerebral blood flow and computed tomography perfusion scanning showed adequate correlation with nimodipine application and angiographic vasospasm. Transcranial Doppler turned out to be unreliable with interexaminer variance and failure of detecting vasospasm or missing the improvement.
Conclusion: Local continuous intra-arterial nimodipine treatment for refractory cerebral vasospasm after aSAH can be recommended as a low-risk treatment in addition to established endovascular therapies.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3914346 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/970741 | DOI Listing |
J Neuroimaging
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Background And Purpose: While the pulsatility index (PI) measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) has broader associations with outcomes in neurocritical care, its use in monitoring delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is not endorsed by current clinical guidelines. Recognizing that arterial pressure gradient (ΔP) can be estimated using PI, we investigated the potential significance of TCD-estimated ΔP.
Methods: In this observational study of 186 SAH patients, we recorded the mean cerebral blood flow velocity (mCBFV) and PI values from the middle cerebral artery, along with corresponding blood pressures.
Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed
January 2025
Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Institut für Pflegewissenschaft und -praxis, Salzburg, Österreich.
Background: Early mobilization of critical ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has a positive effect on outcome. Currently, due to concerns of cerebral vasospasm and rebleeding patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have a prolong bedrest for 12-14 days.
Objective: What effect does early mobilization have on vasospasm, clinical outcome, length of stay and ICU complication rate in patients with SAH compared to standard treatment?
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE via the PubMed® (U.
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand
February 2025
Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background: The harm-benefit balance for early out-of-bed mobilisation of patients with severe acquired brain injury (ABI) in neurointensive care units (neuro-ICUs) is unclear, and there are no clinical guidelines. This study aimed to survey the current clinical practice and perceptions among clinicians involved in first out-of-bed mobilisation in Scandinavian neuro-ICUs.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey; the reporting follows the recommended CROSS checklist.
Elife
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Springfield, United States.
Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by intense central inflammation, leading to substantial post-hemorrhagic complications such as vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. Given the anti-inflammatory effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and its ability to promote brain plasticity, taVNS has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for SAH patients. However, the effects of taVNS on cardiovascular dynamics in critically ill patients, like those with SAH, have not yet been investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Indian Acad Neurol
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Background And Objectives: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare cause of stroke characterized by headache, seizures, focal deficits, or encephalopathy. Very little is known about this rare condition from the Indian subcontinent. Here, we present the clinical and imaging characteristics and short-term outcomes of RCVS patients from South India.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!