The role of peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of acute kidney injury in neurocritical patients: a retrospective Brazilian study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently in the neurocritical intensive care unit and is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. AKI and its treatment, including acute kidney replacement therapy, can expose patients to a secondary greater brain injury. This study aimed to explore the role of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in neurocritical AKI patients in relation to metabolic and fluid control, complications related to PD and outcome. METHODS: Neurocritical AKI patients were treated by PD (prescribed Kt/V = 0.40/session) using a flexible catheter and a cycler and lactate as a buffer. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were included. The mean age was 61.8 ± 13.2 years, 65.5% were in the intensive care unit, 68.5% needed intravenous inotropic agents, 72.4% were on mechanical ventilation, APACHE II was 16 ± 6.67 and the main neurological diagnoses were stroke (25.9%) and intracerebral haemorrhage (31%). Ischaemic acute tubular necrosis (iATN) was the most common cause of AKI (51.7%), followed by nephrotoxic ATN AKI (25.8%). The main dialysis indications were uraemia and hypervolemia. Blood urea and creatinine levels stabilised after four sessions at around 48 ± 11 mg/dL and 2.9 ± 0.4 mg/dL, respectively. Negative fluid balance and ultrafiltration increased progressively and stabilised around 2.1 ± 0.4 L /day. Weekly delivered Kt/V was 2.6 ± 0.31. The median number of high-volume PD sessions was 6 (4-10). Peritonitis and mechanical complications were not frequent (8.6% and 10.3%, respectively). Mortality rate was 58.6%. Logistic regression identified as factors associated with death in neurocritical AKI patients: age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-2.16, p = 0.001), nephrotoxic AKI (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69- 0.95, p = 0.03), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.17-2.46, p = 0.01), intracerebral haemorrhage as main neurological diagnoses (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.09-2.11, p = 0.03) and negative fluid balance after two PD sessions (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.74-0.97, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that careful prescription may contribute to providing adequate treatment for most neurocritical AKI patients without contraindications for PD use, allowing adequate metabolic and fluid control, with no increase in the number of infectious, mechanical and metabolic complications. Mechanical ventilation, positive fluid balance and intracerebral haemorrhage were factors associated with mortality, while patients with nephrotoxic AKI had lower odds of mortality compared to those with septic and ischaemic AKI. Further studies are needed to investigate better the role of PD in neurocritical patients with AKI.

Efficacy of an intervention program to prevent patient safety indicators in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Patient safety indicators (PSI) are a set of potentially preventable events related to patient safety and opportunities for improvement. Eight pertinent PSI have been identified in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (ASAH), such as decubitus ulcer, and central line-related bacteraemia. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a health care quality protocol to prevent the appearance of PSI in ASAH patients. METHODS: Adult patients treated for ASAH were included in a retrospective control group of 35 patients and a prospective experimental group of 35 patients when the prevention program was implemented. We evaluated the occurrence of PSI, and its relation to age, sex, Hunt and Hess scale grade, type of aneurysm treatment, length of hospital stay, and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores. RESULTS: Both groups had similar characteristics except for a longer hospital stay in the control group. The overall PSI prevalence decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. The experimental group had a decreased risk for having at least one PSI: OR = 0.21 (0.08-0.57, CI 95%). The absolute risk reduction is 37.1% (58.9%-15.4%), the preventable fraction for the population is 28.3% (10.6%-40.0%), and the number needed to treat is 2.69. CONCLUSIONS: The health care quality protocol is effective to prevent ISP in ASAH patients. Implementing this prevention program has no effect on the neurological state of the patient at the hospital discharge. Still, it is successful in decreasing the PSI prevalence and the days of hospital stay.

Endovascular Coil Occlusion of a Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Posterior Cerebral Artery: A Case Report

ABSTRACT A 51-year-old male developed traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the right- and left-posterior cerebral arteries following endoscopic resection of a pituitary adenoma. The right-sided aneurysm resolved spontaneously but the left progressed in size. This was treated endovascularly, with successful embolization of the sac. This is the first report of this approach to the management of a pseudoaneurysm of the posterior cerebral arteries to our knowledge.

Manejo clínico de hemorragia subaracnoidea por aneurisma intracraneal en una mujer embarazada en Quito, Ecuador: reporte de caso / Clinical management of subarachnoid haemorrhage due to intracranial aneurysm in a pregnant woman in Quito, Ecuador: Case report

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el diagnóstico y manejo de la hemorragia subaracnoidea secundaria a un aneurisma arterial cerebral accidentado en la primera mitad del embarazo. Materiales y métodos: se presenta el caso de una mujer de 26 años en su segundo embarazo, sin abortos previos y con una cesárea anterior, que fue atendida en un centro de referencia de atención materno perinatal ubicado en Quito, Ecuador, por diagnóstico de hemorragia subaracnoidea durante la decimoséptima semana de gestación. En la panangiografía cerebral se observó un aneurisma cerebral de cuello ancho en la arteria temporal anterior con sangrado. Resultados: se realizó un tratamiento con prótesis endovascular y microespirales, con control de la hemorragia. Posteriormente, la paciente requirió doble antiagregación plaquetaria con clopidogrel y ácido acetilsalicílico que se mantuvo hasta una semana antes del parto. A la paciente se le realizó una cesárea electiva en la que nació un niño sano de 37,2 semanas. Conclusión: el tratamiento endovascular con la colocación de microespirales, asociado al uso de antiagregantes plaquetarios, es una alternativa por considerar en gestantes en la primera mitad del embarazo. Se requieren más estudios clínicos para establecer conductas terapéuticas bien fundamentadas en el manejo de estos casos.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the diagnosis and management of a case of subarachnoid haemorrhage secondary to arterial cerebral aneurysm during the first half of gestation. Materials and methods: A 26-year-old woman during a second pregnancy, with no prior miscarriages, and one previous cesarean section seen at a maternal and perinatal care referral centre located in Quito, Ecuador, with a diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage at seventeen weeks of pregnancy. Cerebral pan-angiography showed a wide-neck cerebral aneurysm of the anterior temporal artery with bleeding. Results: Treatment was performed using endovascular stenting and coiling. Later, the patient required dual anti-platelet therapy with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid, maintained up to a week before delivery. Elective cesarean section was performed and the patient was delivered of a healthy baby at 37.2 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: Endovascular treatment with the use of micro-coils, associated with anti-platelet aggregation therapy is an option to consider in pregnant women during the first half of gestation. Further clinical studies are needed in order to identify more fundamental therapeutic approaches for the management of these cases.

Factors associated with poor outcome for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in a series of 334 patients. / Factores asociados a una evolución desfavorable en la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática. Serie de 334 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates care-related sociodemographic, clinical, and imaging factors and influences associated with outcome at discharge in patients with aneurismal subarachnoid haemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective cohort study in 334 patients treated at Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras in Havana, Cuba between October 2005 and June 2014. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis determined that the following factors were associated with higher risk of poor outcome: age older than 65 years (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.79-5.7, P=.031), female sex (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.22-3.84, P=.0067), systolic hypertension (OR 4.82, 95% CI 2.27-9.8, P=.0001), and hyperglycaemia at admission (OR 3.93, 95% CI 2.10-7.53, P=.0003). Certain complications were also associated with poor prognosis, including respiratory infection (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.27-5.85, P=.0085), electrolyte disturbances (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.33-8.28, P=.0073), hydrocephalus (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.05-4.63, P=.0039), rebleeding (OR 16.50, 95% CI 8.24-41.24, P=.0000), symptomatic vasospasm (OR 19.00, 95% CI 8.86-41.24, P=.0000), cerebral ischaemia (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.87-7.80, P=.000) and multiplex rebleeding (OR 6.69, 95% CI 1.35-36.39, P=.0019). Grades of iii and iv on the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.12-3.91, P=.0021) and Fisher scales (OR 5.18, 95% CI 2.65-10.29, P=.0008) were also related to poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage was related to age, sex, clinical status at admission to the stroke unit, imaging findings according to the Fisher scale, blood pressure, glycaemia and such complications as electrolyte disturbances, hydrocephalus, rebleeding, and multiplex rebleeding.

[Traumatic occipitocervical and atlantoaxial dislocation with clivus fracture in a child. Case report]. / Luxación traumática occipitocervical y atlantoaxial con fractura del clivus en un paciente pediátrico. Reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Cranieovertebral junction lesions in the paediatric population are associated with a low survival rate, which has declined in recent years. Neurological disability is a major concern due to the high economical cost it represents. Paediatric patients are more susceptible to this lesion because of hyperextension capacity, flat articulation, and increased ligamentous laxity. Survival after these kinds of injuries has been more often reported in adults, but are limited in the paediatric population. CLINICAL CASE: A case is reported of an 8-year-old male with occipitocervical and atlantoaxial dislocation associated with clivus fracture, brain oedema, and post-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). A halo vest system was placed with no traction. One month after the trauma the patient was surgically treated with C1 and C2 trans-articular screws, occipitocervical fixation with plate and screws, and C1- C2 fixation with tricortical bone graft and wires without complication. He has now returned to school and is self-sufficient. CONCLUSIONS: With better pre-hospital medical care and with improved surgical techniques the mortality rate has declined in this kind of lesion.

Intervenciones de enfermería en la persona con vasoespasmo cerebral secundario a hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática / Nursing interventions in the person with a secondary cerebral vasospasm aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

Introducción. El vasoespasmo cerebral como complicación de la Hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática, es considerado como una vasoconstricción patológica de las arterias principales de la base del encéfalo; es una condición reversible, que se caracteriza con la reducción del calibre de la luz de las arterias y por lo consiguiente una disminución del flujo sanguíneo al área perfundida por el vaso comprometido. Objetivo. Desarrollar un proceso enfermero basado en la taxonomía Nanda, Noc, Nic a una persona con vasoespasmo cerebral. Metodología. Se realizó la elección de un caso clínico, con la metodología del proceso de atención de enfermería estableciendo un plan de cuidados en el área de recuperación y terapia intermedia del Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez durante el periodo postquirúrgico inmediato. Se detectaron las necesidades básicas alteradas al realizar la valoración neurológica de enfermería. Se procedió a formular los diagnósticos de enfermería reales y de riesgo y con base en estos se planearon las intervenciones de enfermería. Conclusión. El realizar las intervenciones de enfermería de forma sistematizada a partir del proceso enfermero, se establece un método científico, en donde cada intervención se fundamenta y da pauta a la aplicación de un cuidado especializado, dirigido hacia la mejora de la persona desde el punto de vista individual y con ello detectar oportunamente signos y síntomas de alarma así como posibles complicaciones.

Introduction. The cerebral vasospasm as complication of the Haemorrhage subarachnoid aneurismática, is considered to be a pathological vasoconstriction of the main arteries of the base of the brain; it is a reversible condition, which is characterized by the reduction of the caliber of the light of the arteries and for consequent a decrease of the blood flow to the area perfundida for the awkward glass. Target. To develop a process nurse based on the taxonomy Nanda, NOC, NIC to a person with vasospasm cerebral. Methodology. There was realized the election of a clinical case, with the methodology of the process of attention of infirmary establishing a care plan in the field of recovery and intermediate therapy of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez during the immediate postsurgical period. The basic needs were detected altered on having realized the neurological infirmary evaluation. One proceeded to formulate the real diagnoses of infirmary and of risk and with base in these the infirmary interventions were planned. Conclusion. Realizing the interventions of infirmary of form systematized from the process nurse, establishes a scientific method, where every intervention is based and gives rule to the application of a specializing care, directed to the progress of the person from the individual point of view and with it to detect opportunely signs and symptoms of alarm as well as possible complication.

Hemorragia subaracnoidea no aneurismática / Non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objetivo: determinar las características clínicas de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA-A). Métodos: estudio descriptivo basado en serie prospectiva de 204 pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea admitidos de forma consecutiva en la Unidad de Ictus del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, entre octubre de 2005 y diciembre de 2009. Resultados: 165 pacientes tenían aneurismas cerebrales, 157 identificados por angiografía (155 en primer estudio y 2, en segundo) y 8 por necropsia. En 39 casos la causa fue no aneurismática. En 8 pacientes se reconocieron las causas: moya moya (2 casos), angioma venoso cerebral (2 casos), malformación arteriovenosa (MAV) espinal, MAV dural, disección arterial del sistema vertebro-basilar y apoplejía pituitaria. En 31 enfermos (15,2 por ciento) la hemorragia fue criptogénica, se encontraron variantes anómalas de drenaje venoso en 4 de ellos. La HSA-NA se asoció a menor frecuencia de hipertensión (p= 0,029) y tabaquismo (p= 0,025). Se observó vasospasmo angiográfico en 55 casos (33,3 por ciento) con aneurismas y en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p< 0,001), vasospasmo sintomático en 25 casos con aneurismas (15,2 por ciento) y en ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,063). Hubo resangrado en 31 casos (18,8 por ciento) con HSA-A y solo en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p= 0,024). El resultado final al egreso medido por la escala de Rankin modificada fue mejor en la HSA-NA (p= 0,002). Hubo 25 fallecidos (15,2 por ciento) con aneurismas y ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,02). Conclusiones: la HSA-NA tiene buen pronóstico. Las investigaciones neurovasculares no permiten identificar su causa en la mayoría de los casos...

Objective: determine the clinical characteristics of nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASH-A). Methods: a descriptive study was conducted of a prospective series of 204 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage consecutively admitted to the Stroke Unit at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana from October 2005 to December 2009. Results: 165 patients had cerebral aneurysms, of which 157 were identified by angiography (155 in the first study and 2 in the second), and 8 by necropsy. In 39 cases the cause was non-aneurysmatic. The following causes were identified in 8 patients: moyamoya disease (2 cases), cerebral venous angioma (2 cases), spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM), dural AVM, artery dissection of the vertebrobasilar system and pituitary apoplexy. 31 patients (15.2 percent) had cryptogenic hemorrhage, and four presented anomalous venous drainage. NA-SAH was associated with a lower frequency of hypertension (p= 0.029) and smoking (p= 0.025). Angiographic vasospasm was observed in 55 cases with aneurysms (33.3 percent) and in one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p< 0.001). Symptomatic vasospasm was observed in 25 cases with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and in none with NA-SAH (p= 0.063). There was rebleeding in 31 cases with A-SAH (18.8 percent) and in only one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p= 0.024). The final outcome at discharge measured with the modified Rankin scale was better for NA-SAH (p= 0.002). There were 25 deaths with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and none with NA-SAH (p= 0.02). Conclusions: NA-SAH has a good prognosis. In most cases neurovascular research is unable to identify its cause...

Tratamiento de la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile / Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by intracranial aneurysms, experience in 82 patients

Background: One third of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by intracranial aneurysms, die. Aim: Review of medical records of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at a clinical hospital. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of patients discharged from the hospital between 2006 and 2011 with the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients initially or subsequently treated elsewhere were not analyzed. Results: The medical records of 82 patients aged 24 to 100 years (77% females), were analyzed. The clinical diagnosis at the onset of the condition was correct in 82% of cases. In 95% of patients, an angiographic study and subsequent surgical intervention of the aneurysm were carried out within 24 hours of diagnosis. Global mortality was 23%. Twelve patients died prior to any possible treatment, due to the severity of the disease. Seventy six aneurysms in 70 patients were treated with clips or coils in 37 and 39 cases, respectively. Seven patients died. Forty seven patients had a Rankin disability score of two or less. Conclusions: The presence of an intracranial hematoma or acute hydrocephaly on admission and clinical vasospasm during evolution were associated with a bad prognosis.

[Endovascular coiling of a «true¼ posterior communicating artery aneurysm]. / Tratamiento endovascular de un aneurisma «verdadero¼ de la arteria comunicante posterior.

True posterior communicating artery aneurysms originate exclusively from the wall of this artery and should be differentiated from aneurysms of the posterior communicating segment of the distal carotid artery. As these lesions are rare, their anatomical relationships have been poorly described; likewise, reports concerning their endovascular treatment are extremely rare and the technical aspects poorly detailed. A case of a patient with a true aneurysm of the left posterior communicating artery treated by endovascular coiling is presented. A literature review was also conducted to illustrate the anatomical and technical details relevant to achieving its successful treatment.

Spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage from rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm in a patient with pituitary macroadenoma.

The presence of a cerebral aneurysm in patients with pituitary adenoma is a rare event. Diagnostic suspicion may stem from magnetic resonance imaging, which should lead to complementary investigation. As for treatment, even in conditions in which there has been no previous bleeding, the simultaneous approach should be considered, prioritising the aneurysm most of the time. The present report describes the case of a patient with a history of pituitary macroadenoma, who had undergone a partial transsphenoidal resection ten years earlier. Admission to our service occurred after a sudden headache followed by mental confusion. A cranial computed tomography showed subarachnoid haemorrhage and expansive suprasellar lesion. Cerebral angiography showed a saccular aneurysm of the anterior communicating complex. The patient underwent a surgical procedure for microsurgical clipping of the aneurysm and partial resection of the pituitary tumour. We have also included a brief review of the literature on this subject.

Hemodinâmica do vasoespasmo: [revisão] / Cerebral hemodynamic alterations due to vasospasm: [review]

Os autores descrevem as alterações hemodinâmicas encefálicas que ocorrem na vigência do vasoespasmo após a hemorragia subaracnoidea por aneurismas. O conhecimento dessas alterações facilita o entendimento das medidas terapêuticas.

The authors describe the hemodynamic encephalic alterations that occur during the vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The knowledge of these alterations promotes better understanding of the therapeutic procedures.

Hemorragia cerebelosa neonatal. A propósito de un caso / Neonatal cerebellar hemorrhage. A case report

Teniendo en cuenta que las lesiones del sistema nervioso central ocupan un lugar importante en la morbimortalidad neonatal, presentamos el caso de un recién nacido a término, sexo masculino, nacido en parto distócico, con hipoxia severa al nacer, que presentó manifestaciones clínicas de una hemorragia intracraneal. En ultrasonido transfontanelar se observó una imagen compatible con una hemorragia de cerebelo, la cual se corroboró con la TAC de cráneo. Es egresado vivo los 17 días.

Taking into account that damages of the Central Nervous System play an important role in neonatal morbidity and mortality, a case of a term neonato is presented: A male newborn from a dystocic delivery, with severe hypoxia, presenting clinical manifestatins o fan intracraneal haemorrhage. Transfontanel ultrasound whowed an image consistent with a cerebellar haemorrhage which could be proved through a Craneal comuterized Axial Tomography. The patient was discharged from the hospital at 17 days old.