Christina M Defusco’s research while affiliated with Boston Medical Center and other places

Background: Introduction of neurocritical care services to dedicated neuro-ICUs is associated with improved quality of care. The impact of a neurocritical care service without a dedicated neuro-ICU has not been studied. Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients admitted to our institution with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in two 12-month periods: immediately before the arrival of the first neurointensivist ("before") and after the neurocritical care service was established ("after"). There was no nursing team, ICU housestaff/physician extender team, or physical unit dedicated to the care of patients with critical neurologic illness during either period. Using an uncontrolled before-after design, we compared clinical outcomes and performance on quality metrics between groups. Results: We included 74 patients with primary supratentorial ICH. Mortality, length of stay (LOS), proportion of patients with modified Rankin Score 0-3, and destination on discharge did not differ between groups when adjusted for confounders. Time to first two consecutive systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements <180 mmHg was shorter in the "after" cohort (mean 4.5 vs. 3.2 h, p = 0.001). Area under the curve measurement for change in SBP from baseline over the first 24 h after ED arrival demonstrated greater, sustained SBP reduction in the "after" cohort (mean -187.9 vs. -720.9, p = 0.04). A higher proportion of patients were fed without passing a dysphagia screen in the "before" group (45 vs. 0%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Introduction of a neurocritical service without a neuro-ICU at our institution was associated with a trend toward longer ICU LOS and improvement in some key metrics of quality of care for patients with ICH.

Despite the success of acute reperfusion therapies for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, only a minority of patients receive such treatment. Even patients who receive reperfusion therapy remain at risk for further neuronal death through progressive infarction and secondary injury mechanisms. The goal of neurocritical care for the patient with acute ischemic stroke is to optimize long-term outcomes by minimizing the amount of brain tissue that is lost to these processes. This is accomplished by optimizing brain perfusion, limiting secondary brain injury, and compensating for associated dysfunction in other organ systems. Because of the rapid and irreversible nature of ischemic brain injury, it is crucial for best neurocritical care practices to begin as early as possible. Therefore, this chapter will discuss optimal, pragmatic neurocritical care management of patients with acute ischemic stroke during the "golden" emergency department hours from the perspective of the neurointensivist. Major topics include cerebral perfusion optimization; management of cerebral edema; post-thrombolytic care; acute anticoagulation; treatment of commonly associated cardiac and pulmonary complications; fluid, electrolyte and glucose management; the role of induced normothermia and therapeutic hypothermia; and prophylaxis against common complications.

Introduction: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has very high morbidity and mortality rates. Optimal intensive care unit (ICU) management requires knowledge of the potential complications that occur in this patient population. Methods: Review of the ICU management of SAH. Level of evidence for specific recommendations is provided. Results: Grading scales utilizing clinical factors and brain imaging studies can help in determining prognosis and are reviewed. Misdiagnosis of SAH is fairly common so the clinical symptoms and signs of SAH are summarized. The ICU management of SAH is discussed beginning with a focus on avoiding aneurysm re-rupture and securing the aneurysm, followed by a review of the neurologic and medical complications that may occur after the aneurysm is secured. Detailed treatment strategies and areas of current and future research are reviewed. Conclusions: The ICU management of the patient with SAH can be particularly challenging and requires an awareness of all potential neurologic and medical complications and their urgent treatments.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare complication of hemodynamic augmentation for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-associated vasospasm. The roles of hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion in the genesis of PRES remain uncertain. Case report. We admitted a 35-year-old woman with Hunt & Hess grade II SAH secondary to rupture of a right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm. This was surgically clipped. Beginning on hospital day 3, she developed recurrent symptomatic vasospasm of the right MCA despite hemodynamic augmentation to a MAP as high as 130 mmHg and endovascular therapy. On hospital day 7, after 36 h of sustained MAP 120-130 mmHg, her level of arousal progressively declined, culminating in stupor and two generalized tonic-clonic seizures. MRI showed widespread, yet markedly asymmetric changes consistent with PRES largely sparing the right MCA territory. After the MAP was decreased to 85-100 mmHg, she had no further seizures. 2 days later she was fully alert with mild left hemiparesis. PRES is a rare complication of hemodynamic augmentation that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of delayed neurological decline in patients with aneurysmal SAH-associated cerebral vasospasm. The markedly asymmetric distribution of PRES lesions with sparing of the territory affected by vasospasm supports the hypothesis that hyperperfusion underlies the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Intracranial hypertension is a crucial modifiable risk factor for poor outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Limited evidence suggests that decompressive laparotomy may be an effective treatment for refractory ICH in patients who have elevated intra-abdominal pressure. Case report. We present a multi-trauma patient who sustained severe TBI in a motor vehicle collision. Intracranial pressure (ICP) was initially medically managed but became refractory to standard therapies. Emergent decompressive laparotomy performed in the surgical intensive care unit for abdominal compartment syndrome concomitantly improved the patient's ICP. Elevated intra-abdominal pressure can exacerbate intracranial hypertension in patients with TBI. Recognition of this condition and treatment with decompressive laparotomy may be useful in patients with intracranial hypertension refractory to optimal medical therapy.