'Khatatonia' - cathinone-induced hypertensive encephalopathy.

Khat consumption is an under-recognised cause of hypertensive encephalopathy and intraparenchymal brain haemorrhage. We report the radiological findings of extensive periventricular, subcortical and brain stem white matter pathology of a patient who had consumed excessive amounts of Khat. The Khat plant contains cathinone, an amphetamine-like alkaloid which has been associated with chronic hypertensive end-organ damage, but is seldom considered a cause of cerebrovascular events in northern Europe.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Complicated Pregnancy.

A nulliparous pregnant woman in her mid-20s and in the 32nd week of gestation presented to the emergency department with severe headache and vomiting. She had an uneventful medical history; however, the physical examination upon hospital admission revealed a hypertensive emergency, papilledema, and 2+ dipstick proteinuria. Upon establishing the diagnosis of preeclampsia, aggressive therapy with corticosteroids, antihypertensive medication, and seizure prophylaxis was initiated. Hemodynamic stability was achieved within 24 hours and the patient remained in the observation unit located within the gynecology clinic. On the ninth day postadmission, however, her condition abruptly deteriorated and advanced to imminent eclampsia, accompanied by transient vision loss, altered mental status, and acute hypertensive crisis. After the patient underwent successful emergent delivery via caesarean section, a laboratory workup revealed hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count, suggesting HELLP syndrome, a serious complication of eclampsia. This patient concurrently developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and acute respiratory distress syndrome (the latter presented with diffuse bilateral infiltrates on x-ray and developing pulmonary edema in the absence of cardiac etiology). Because of these life-threatening dynamics, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit for further treatment. This case is a rare cascade of life-threatening complications that developed in a patient and required skillful multidisciplinary decision making and experienced management within an acute critical care setting. The final outcome of the treatment and intensive care was successful because both the patient and child survived and had no chronic or debilitating sequelae.

[THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS IN HYPERTENSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS BY STUDYING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CEREBRAL HEMODYNAMICS AND CEREBRAL PERFUSION STATUS].

Intrigue progression of hypertensive encephalopathy (HE) in older patients is that the development of cognitive impairment and high blood pressure underestimated, aslo exist without clinical manifestations. In recent decades convincing proved that the basis for the development of various diseases is cerebral dysfunction systems regulating brain blood flow, including--autoregulation system, which largely affects the blood supply to the brain. This explains the fact that patients with chronic brain ischemia cerebral hemodynamic status largely depends on the condition and stability of the regulatory mechanisms of systemic and cerebral hemodynamics, particularly of systemic blood pressure, regional cerebral blood supply, normalization which, in the early stages of development disorders, prevents of serious complications. In this paper the theoretical generalization and new solution of scientific and practical problems of hypertension influence on the formation of chronic cerebral ischemia in elderly patients on a background of hypertension--specified risk factors and especially the formation of a comprehensive study on the basis of clinical and neurological data, tool sand methods for neuroimaging research developed and improved methods of diagnosis. Found that in elderly patients with HE and HBP observed significant (P < 0.05) increase in the thickness of the intima-media complex was significantly higher (dextra--1.12 ± 0.03 and sinistra--1.11 ± 0.03), than middle-aged patients with hypertension at HE, which constitutes a violation of the elastic properties of the vascular wall. Established correlation data radionuclide study ultrasonic duplex scanning of vessels of the head and neck. A negative correlation of intima-media and severity of lesions according to hypoperfusion of computer tomography single photon emission (r = -0.49; P < 0.05); confirming the progression of HE in elderly patients needs improvement and treatment.

[The influence of citoflavin on molecular mechanisms of hypertensive encephalopathy development in patients with systolic arterial hypertension].

The molecular pharmacological effects of cytoflavin in patients with hypertensive encephalopathy (HE) and isolated systolic arterial hypertension (ISAH) have been investigated using the following methods: assessment of complaints, 24-hour arterial pressure monitoring, ultrasound diagnostics including echocardiography, measurement of lipid profiles and coagulograms, and molecular phenotyping by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. A combination of cytoflavin administration with standard therapy of HE and ISAH led to the most expressed return development of clinical symptoms, restoration of the hemodynamic, structural, and geometrical parameters of cardiovascular system, and normalization of the indices of lipid profiles and coagulograms in comparison to patients with HE and ISAH, which accepted only standard therapy. Molecular mechanisms of cytoflavin action have been revealed, which include control of the activity of cellular signaling pathways by means of intermolecular interactions. The optimized therapy of HE and ISAH is recommended for clinical application, which assumes a combined use of standard therapy and cytoflavin and provides a geroprotective action upon the cardiovascular system.

[Cytoflavin® effect on endothelium function and cerebral hemodynamics in patients with hypertensive enceplalopathy].

One hundred forty patients (the average age of 46.7 ± 7.7 years) with hypertensive encephalopathy (HE) were observed. 74 patients of the main group received Cytoflavin in a dose of 2 tablets twise a day in the standard basic therapy. 66 patients of the reference group received the basic therapy alone. The arterial endothelium function was estimated and ultrasonic examination of the hemodynamics at five structurally functional levels of the cerebral vascular course was used. All the patients with HE had endothelial dysfunction, bloodstream depression in the arterial course of the brain vascular system, decreased reactivity of the intracranial veins, difficulty in venous outflow. In the course of the therapy with Cytoflavin restotation of the arterial endothelial function in the patients with HE I stage, the linear and volume speed of bloodstream in the main and intracranial cerebral arteries in the patients with HE I-II stages, restoration of the intracranial veins reactivity, the linear speed of bloodstream in intracranial veins in the patients with all three stages of HE, the linear speed of bloodstream in the main veins up to the control values in the patients with I-III stages of HE were observed. Interrelation between the values of the cerebral hemodynamics and the state of the endothelium function was shown.

[Analysis of single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with hypertensive encephalopathy complicated with previous hypertensive crisis].

In cerebrovascular diseases pefuzionnaya single photon emission computed tomography with lipophilic amines used for the diagnosis of functional disorders of cerebral blood flow. Quantitative calculations helps clarify the nature of vascular disease and clarify the adequacy and effectiveness of the treatment. In this modern program for SPECT ensure conduct not only as to the calculation of blood flow, but also make it possible to compute also the absolute values of cerebral blood flow.

Hypertensive crisis in young woman with Takayasu arteritis.

A young woman who was experiencing repeated convulsions was admitted. The patient's brain magnetic resonance image revealed reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy. Blood pressure fluctuated at times to more than 200 mmHg, and the measurement of the right and left upper arms differed by approximately 70 mmHg. Enhanced computed tomography revealed stenotic lesions of some arteries including the left renal artery. Such findings led to an initial diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis and hypertensive encephalopathy caused by renovascular hypertension. A percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty was successfully performed. The patient's blood pressure returned to normal value without the use of antihypertensive drugs.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with immune system activation, VEGF up-regulation, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

The case of a 75-year-old man with a history of lymphoma, recent upper respiratory tract infection, and a protracted course of encephalopathy is presented. Radiologically, findings were consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. A brain biopsy revealed evidence of endothelial activation, T-cell trafficking, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, suggesting that systemic immune system activation may be involved with triggering posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. In addition, underlying cerebral amyloid angiopathy may have contributed to the initial nonclassical edema distribution by compromising autoregulatory blood flow mechanisms.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case series in patients with eclampsia.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) refers to a clinicoradiologic entity with characteristic features on neuro-imaging and non-specific symptoms comprising headache, confusion, visual disturbances and seizures. The lesions in PRES are thought to be due to vasogenic oedema, predominantly in the posterior cerebral hemispheres, and are reversible with appropriate management. We report 3 cases of acute PRES who had eclampsia and presented with recurrent episodes of seizures and hypertension. Their MRI scan showed diffuse abnormal signal intensities involving predominantly deep white matter of the occipital lobes. Based on the findings the most probable diagnosis of PRES was suggested. They were started on antihypertensive drugs. On follow-up examination after 5-7 weeks, the patients showed marked improvement clinically and on neuro-imaging following which they were discharged in stable condition.

Spectrum of radiological changes in hypertensive children with reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy.

We prospectively studied 19 children with severe hypertension to evaluate the spectrum of radiological changes, severity and reversibility of this entity. All of them were subjected to clinical and biochemical evaluation, followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Headache was seen in 17 children, 13 had confusion and drowsiness, 12 had nausea and vomiting, 10 patients had visual disturbances, seizure and dyspnoea. Only two had focal neurological deficit (one with right facial palsy and another with right lateral rectus palsy). Of these 19 children, 15 patients had hypertensive retinopathy and four had normal fundi. The positive MRI findings in 17/19 patients were: bilateral leukoencephalopathic changes in occipitoparietal region (9/17), diffuse white/grey matter lesion (3/17) patients, brain stem hyperintensity (2/17) and haemorrhagic lesions (3/17). On MRA, 12/19 patients had attenuation of cerebral arteries of different degree. On follow up, MRI findings resolved in all except three patients. All patients had normal MRA on follow up, except one with persistent minimal attenuation of middle cerebral artery and another had spasm in anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries. The intracranial abnormalities in these patients with severe hypertension were reversible in many of the cases after control of blood pressure was achieved. We therefore conclude that severe hypertension may lead to leuoencephalopathy, which had a wide radiological spectrum. A better understanding of this complex syndrome may obviate unnecessary investigations and allow management of associated problems in prompt and appropriate ways.

CT and CT-perfusion findings of reversible leukoencephalopathy during triple-H therapy for symptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage-related vasospasm.

BACKGROUND: Reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RLS) is an acute neurological syndrome associated with altered mental status and visual disturbances described in patients with sudden elevations in systemic blood pressure and other medical conditions. In this process, neuroimaging studies usually demonstrate diffuse edema involving the subcortical structures of the posterior regions of the brain. Triple H (HHH) therapy is an established treatment for symptomatic vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). RLS has not been reported in the scientific literature as a complication of HHH therapy with perfusion computed tomography (CTP) imaging documentation. CASE: A 73-year-old woman developed iatrogenic RLS during HHH therapy for SAH-related vasospasm. The computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral parieto-occipital hypodensities. The CTP study showed increased cerebral blood volume and blood flow as well as decreased mean transit time in both parietal-occipital regions, which is compatible with vasogenic edema. CONCLUSION: The induction of hypertension as part of HHH therapy for SAH-related cerebral vasospasm may result in RLS. Therefore, it should be considered as a potentially reversible cause in the differential diagnosis of neurological deterioration in SAH patients while on HHH therapy. CTP study can offer an alternative for the assessment of this cerebrovascular syndrome.