An update of predictors of cerebral infarction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence about predictors of poor outcomes such as cerebral infarction (CI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has not been fully elucidated. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies with adults with aSAH considering RCT and non-RCT, prospective, and retrospective cohort studies describing clinical, imaging as well as angiographic studies in patients with aSAH. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: After reviewing the complete text, 11 studies were considered eligible, out of which four were ruled out. Degree of clinical severity was the most predictive factor with a higher degree at the presentation on different severity scales being associated with a statistically significant increasing the risk of suffering a CI following aSAH (OR 2.49 [95% CI 1.38-4.49] P=0.0003). Aneurysm size increased the risk of CI (OR 1.49 [95% CI 1.20-1.85] P=0.0003; I2=4%). In six studies analyzed, it was found that an important factor for the subsequent development of CI is vasospasm (OR 7.62 [2.19, 26.54], P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The development of vasospasm is a risk factor for CI development after aSAH. In our review, three factors were associated with an increased risk of CI: clinical severity at presentation, vasospasm, and aneurysm size. The major limitation of this meta-analysis is that included studies were conducted retrospectively or were post hoc analyses of a prospective trial.

Silk® Flow Diverter Device for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Flow diverters have become a critical instrument for complex aneurysms treatment. However, limited data are currently available regarding short and long-term outcomes for the Silk flow diverter. The objective of the study is to determine neurological prognosis and mortality rates for the Silk flow diversion device used in intracranial aneurysms. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed using databases. The following descriptors were used for the search: "SILK", "Flow Diverter", "Mortality", and "Prognosis". The following data were extracted: mortality, good functional outcome, Glasgow outcome scale, complete or near-complete occlusion rates, rate of retreatment, and complications (thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications). A total of 14 studies were selected. Among the 14 studies, 13 were retrospective observational cohort studies and 1 was a prospective observational cohort study. The mortality rate was 2.84%. The clinical good outcomes rate was 93.3%. The poor outcome rate was 6.6%. The overall thromboembolic complication rate was 6.06% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00-6.37, P=0.12, I2=3.13%). The total hemorrhagic complication rate was 1.62% (95% CI 0.00-5.34, P=0.28, I2=1.56%). The complete aneurysm occlusion rate was 80.4% (95% CI 8.65-9.38, P<0.0001, I2=9.09%). The Silk diverter device has a good safety and efficacy profile for treating intracranial aneurysms with high complete occlusion rates.

Obesity and Stroke: Does the Paradox Apply for Stroke?

Historically, obesity has been identified as one of the most important risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases including stroke; however, a theory called "The Obesity Paradox" has been recently considered. The paradoxical theory is that obese or overweight patients (according to body mass index score) can have better outcomes compared to leaner or malnourished patients. The paradox was initially discovered in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this manuscript was to investigate whether this paradox also applies to stroke patients, according to information available in the current literature.

Intracranial hypertension in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating and life-threatening condition with high mortality and morbidity. Even though there is an association with intracranial pressure (ICP) raise and aSAH, there is a lack of recommendations regarding the indications for ICP monitoring in patients with aSAH. Defining what patients are at a higher risk to develop intracranial hypertension and its role in the functional outcome and mortality in patients with aSAH will be the purpose of the following systematic review and meta-analysis. The primary endpoint is to determine the prevalence and impact on mortality of ICP in patients with aSAH. Secondary endpoints aim to describe the variables related to the development of ICP and the relationship between traumatic and aneurysmal etiology of intracranial hypertension. PubMed, Embase, Central Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials, and research meeting abstracts were searched up to August 2019 for studies that performed ICP monitoring, assessed the prevalence of intracranial hypertension and the mortality, in adults. Newcastle Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to assess study quality. The statistical analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel methodology for the prevalence and mortality of intracranial hypertension for reasons with a randomized effect analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2. A total of 110 bibliographic citations were identified, 20 were considered potentially eligible, and after a review of the full text, 12 studies were considered eligible and 5 met the inclusion criteria for this review. One study obtained 7 points in the NOS, another obtained 6 points, and the rest obtained 5 points. Five studies were chosen for the final analysis, involving 793 patients. The rate of intracranial hypertension secondary to aSAH was 70.69% (95% CI 56.79-82.84%) showing high heterogeneity (I2 = 92.48%, p = < 0.0001). The results of the meta-analysis of mortality rate associated with intracranial hypertension after aSAH found a total of four studies, which involved 385 patients. The mortality rate was 30.3% (95% CI: 14.79-48.57%). Heterogeneity was statistically significant (I2 = 90.36%; p value for heterogeneity < 0.001). We found that in several studies, they reported that a high degree of clinical severity scale (Hunt and Hess or WNFS) and tomographic (Fisher) were significantly correlated with the increase in ICP above 20 mmHg (P < 0.05). The interpretation of the results could be underestimated for the design heterogeneity of the included studies. New protocols establishing the indications for ICP monitoring in aSAH are needed. Given the high heterogeneity of the studies included, we cannot provide clinical recommendations regarding this issue.

Relationship between aspirin use and subarachnoid hemorrhage: A systematic Review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin has been associated with a decreasing risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action and potential protective properties against aneurysm growth. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and aspirin use. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis were performed across the PubMed database. The following keywords were used: "aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, 2-acetyloxy-benzoic acid, ruptured intracranial aneurysm, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, spontaneous aneurysmal hemorrhage, spontaneous intracerebral bleeding". Studies that were performed with animals or analyzed patients with traumatic brain injury were excluded. A total of five studies were included in our meta-analysis, with a total of 19,222 patients evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the association between the use of aspirin and the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage. RESULTS: Aspirin use reduce the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.34-0.76). CONCLUSION: Although some previous studies suggested that aspirin may potentially reduce the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage, our meta-analysis found an association between the reduction of risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Hipotermia para la hipertensión intracraneana refractaria después de un trauma craneoencefálico severo / Hypothermia for refractory intracranial hypertension after severe head trauma

Objetivo: Revisar sistemáticamente la evidencia que tiene la inducción de hipotermia en la hipertensión endocraneana traumática refractaria. Criterios de inclusión: Ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que incluyan a: pacientes mayores de 12 años, haber sufrido un traumatismo craneal grave (Glasgow < 8) con hipertensión intracraneana y que se les haya inducido hipotermia terapéutica. Métodos: Se realizó la búsqueda en las siguientes bases de datos: MEDLINE, the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI, EMBASE; Cochrane Injuries group y lista de referencia de los artículos. Resultados: La mortalidad disminuyó en los pacientes en que se usó la inducción de hipotermia comparados con el grupo control (RR 0,82, IC del 95%: 0,7-0,95 p= 0,008), el grupo inducción de hipotermia muestra una disminución de los desenlaces neurológicos no favorables (estado vegetativo y coma, GOS-E 1-3) frente al control (RR 0,81, IC del 95%: 0,75 a 0,88 p= <0,00001). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con trauma craneoencefálico e hipertensión endocraneana refractaria se beneficiarían con el uso de hipotermia terapéutica, aunque se necesitan más estudios de buena calidad para extraer conclusiones definitivas.

Objectives: To systematically review published evidence on the induction of mild hypothermia for refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension. Methods: A thorough search was conducted of MEDLINE, the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI, EMBASE; Cochrane Injuries group and the reference lists of articles, looking for randomized clinical trials that assessed mortality and morbidity in patients, 12 years old and older, who had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow coma scale < 8), had intracranial hypertension, and had mild hypothermia intentionally induced. Results: Mortality was reduced in patients treated with mild hypothermia relative to controls (RR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70- 0.95; p = 0.008). Similarly, hypothermia induction was associated with a decreased rate of unfavorable neurological outcomes (vegetative state, coma, GOS-E 1-3) (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.88; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Available evidence suggests that traumatic brain injury patients with refractory intracranial hypertension may benefit from therapeutic hypothermia. However, more methodologically-robust studies are needed.

Una revisión sistemática del monitoreo de la presión intracraneana en adultos con trauma craneoencefálico severo / A systematic review of intracranial pressure monitoring in adults with severe traumatic brain injury

Objetivos: Revisar sistemáticamente la evidencia relacionada con el monitoreo de la presion intracraneana en unidades de cuidado neurocrítico en el contexto de trauma craneoencefálico severo. Criterios de elección: Ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que comparen el uso del monitoreo de la presión intracraneana (PIC) que muestren un estimado de mortalidad/discapacidad a 6 meses, en pacientes mayores de 12 años de edad con trauma craneoencefálico severo (escala de Glasgow menor a 8). Método de búsqueda: En Medline, el Registro Central de Ensayos Controlados (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI, EMBASE; Grupo Cochrane de Lesiones y las listas de referencias de artículos. De acuerdo con el Manual Cochrane para meta-análisis y revisión sistemática. Resultados: No hubo diferencias entre el grupo de PIC y el control en el pronóstico de discapacidad (RR [Riesgo Relativo]1.01, 95 por ciento CI 0.87 to 1.18). Sin embargo, el monitoreo de la PIC reduce la estancia en UCI en comparación con otros métodos. La estancia en UCI con tratamiento cerebral específico también se redujo en comparación con grupo control. Conclusiones: En pacientes con trauma craneoencefálico, no hubo diferencia entre el monitoreo de la PIC y el examen clínico sin embargo, para mantener una PIC baja, hubo una sustancial reducción de requerimiento de solución salina hipertónica y un descenso en la hiperventilación trayendo consigo beneficios para pacientes en UCI.

Objectives: To systematically review the evidence of intracranial pressure monitoring in neuro critical care unit in the context of a severe head injury. Study eligibility criteria: Patients were older than 12 years ,had a severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow coma scale < 8), that compared the use of ICP monitoring with control, that presented an estimate of mortality/ disability prognosis 6 months after injury.only randomized clinical trials. Methods: Searched MEDLINE, the Central Registerof Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI,EMBASE; Cochrane Injuries group and the reference lists of articles. In accordance with the Cochrane handbook for meta-analysis and systematic review. Results: In the ICP and control groups there was no difference in the prognosis of disability (RR [Relative Risk]1.01, 95 percent CI 0.87 to 1.18). However, ICP monitoring reduced the duration of stay in ICU compared to other surveillance methods. The stay in the ICU with specific medical support for brain injury was also reduced compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with severe traumatic brain injury, the ICP monitoring was not difference to imaging and clinical examination. However, by keeping the ICP low there was a substantial reduction in the requirement for hypertonic saline and a decrease in hyperventilation providing benefits to thepatient in the ICU.

Tromboprofilaxis con heparinas de bajo peso molecular en trauma craneoencefálico severo: una revisión sistemática / Low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis in severe cranioencephalic trauma: a systematic review

Objetivo: Revisar sistemáticamente la evidencia de la tromboprofilaxis con heparinas de bajo peso molecular en trauma craneoencefálico severo. Criterios de inclusión: Ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que incluyan: pacientes mayores de 15 años, que hayan sufrido un traumatismo craneal grave (Glasgow < 8), que comparen el uso de heparinas de bajo peso molecular (HBPM) con grupo control (otras medidas farmacológicas y mecánicas o la no profilaxis), que evalúe mortalidad a 6 meses, riesgo de sangrado y de eventos trombóticos. Métodos: Se buscó en las siguientes bases de datos MEDLINE, the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI, EMBASE; Cochrane Injuries group y lista de referencia de los artículos. Resultados: En el grupo de HBPM y el control no hubo diferencia significativa en el pronóstico de mortalidad (RR [Riesgo Relativo] 0,88, 95% CI 0.34 to 2.26). No aumentó el riesgo de sangrados. No hubo diferencias relacionadas con el riesgo tromboembólico comparado con el grupo control. Conclusiones: En pacientes con trauma craneoencefálico severo la tromboprofilaxis con HBPM fue similar con otros métodos de profilaxis antitrombótica. Faltan estudios que demuestren la eficacia y seguridad de la profilaxis antitrombótica con HBPM.

Objective: To systematically review the evidence of thromboprophylaxis tos with Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) in severe traumatic brain injury. Study eligibility criteria: Randomized clinical Trials with Patients older than 15 years, had a severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow coma scale < 8), that compared the use of LMWH with control group (no prophylaxis and other pharmacologic and/ or mechanical methods, that presented an estimate of mortality/disability prognosis 6 months after injury, risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events (PE, DTV). Methods: Searched MEDLINE, the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI, EMBASE; Cochrane Injuries group and the reference lists of articles. Results: In the LMWH and control groups there was no difference in the prognosis of mortality (RR [Relative Risk] 0,88, 95% CI 0.34 to 2.26). Don’t rise the risk of bleeding. There was no difference in the risk from thromboembolic events compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with severe traumatic brain injury, the use of LMWH is similarly with other thromboprophylactics methods. There aren’t studies that demonstrate the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic prophylaxis with LMWH.