A meta-analysis of the effects of ketamine on suicidal ideation in depression patients.

The treatment of suicidal ideation in patients with depression has been a major problem faced by psychiatric and emergency departments, and reasonable drug selection is particularly important. Ketamine has been shown to reduce suicidal ideation rapidly, but the strength of the effect is unclear and there is little evidence-based medical evidence to support this. We systematically searched all articles published on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI and EMBASE. Stata 15 and R 4.1.3 were used for meta-analysis, and odds ratios were calculated in fixed effects or random effects models based on the heterogeneity test results. Our search resulted in 505 articles; we analyzed 14 studies, which included 1,380 participants. The 14 studies included 10 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies and 4 single-arm studies. Our study suggests that, ketamine has a significant therapeutic effect on suicidal ideation throughout the treatment cycle. We performed network meta-analyses(NMA) and pairwise meta-analyses to compare the efficacy of ketamine in the reduction of suicidal ideation. There was a significant reduction in suicidal ideation within the first day after treatment (NMA ketamine day1 RR = 10.02, 95%CI = 4.24 to 23.68). In repeated treatment, the degree of recovery of suicidal ideation after the last dose was significantly greater than that after the first dose (RR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.51 to 0.62). Recovery of suicidal ideation was also significantly better in the treatment end point than in the placebo group at the same time point (NMA ketamine day26 RR = 4.29, 95%CI = 1.41 to 13.08). This is the first network meta-analysis to demonstrate the role of ketamine in the alleviation of suicidal ideation. Our network meta-analysis also compared the effects of different drugs at different time points, which was not done in previous studies. This is of great reference significance for future drug research andrational drug use.

Statins for neuroprotection in spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (STATIC): protocol for a multicentre, prospective and randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a neurological emergency with high morbidity and mortality, and current treatment is limited. Emerging evidence has reported that statins can exert neuroprotective effects in cerebrovascular diseases. However, most of the published clinical studies are retrospective. Therefore, it is important to conduct a prospective randomised controlled trial to further validate the efficacy and safety of statins in patients with ICH. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The present study is performed at Xuan Wu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing Fengtai You'anmen Hospital and Shunping County Hospital, Hebei Province. The target number of patients is 98. Eligible patients are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the statins group or the control group. The primary outcome is the perihaemorrhagic oedema to haematoma ratio at 7 days. Secondary outcomes include mortality at 30 days, haematoma resolution rate at 7 days, National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score at 7 days or discharge, ordinal distribution of modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 90 days, the proportion of patients with an mRS score of 0-2 on day 90, the proportion of patients with an mRS score of 0-3 on day 90, absolute haematoma volume changes between initial and 7-day follow-up CT scan, absolute perihaematomal oedema changes between initial and 7-day follow-up CT scan. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial has been approved by the ethics committees of Xuan Wu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing Fengtai You'anmen Hospital and Shunping County Hospital, Hebei Province. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and in conference reports. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04857632.

Association of α-HBDH levels with the severity and recurrence after acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: α-HBDH serves as a biomarker of myocardial damage and is implicated in adverse outcomes across various critical illnesses. Our study aimed to assess the correlation between α-HBDH levels, and severity and recurrence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: We enrolled patients with mild-to-moderate AIS within 72 h of onset. Based on the baseline score of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (bNIHSS) at registration, patients were categorized into mild (bNIHSS ≤ 4 points) and moderate AIS groups (4 < bNIHSS ≤ 10 points). Subsequently, based on the normal upper limit of α-HBDH, patients were divided into low-level α-HBDH (≤ 180 U/L) and high-level α-HBDH (> 180 U/L) groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were employed to evaluate the relationship between α-HBDH levels and bNIHSS scores as well as the risk of recurrent AIS within 90 days. RESULTS: We observed a significant association between higher baseline levels of α-HBDH and increased bNIHSS scores, indicating a more severe AIS (odds ratio = 24.449; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.749-68.324; p < 0.01). Additionally, the risk of recurrent AIS within 90 days was 4.666 times higher in the high-level α-HBDH group compared to the low-level group (hazard ratio = 4.666; 95% CI, 2.481-8.777; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The baseline level of α-HBDH is significantly correlated with the severity of AIS and the risk of recurrent AIS within 90 days.

Promoting the process of determining brain death through standardized training.

Objective: This study aims to explore the training mode for brain death determination to ensure the quality of subsequent brain death determination. Methods: A four-skill and four-step (FFT) training model was adopted, which included a clinical neurological examination, an electroencephalogram (EEG) examination, a short-latency somatosensory evoked potential (SLSEP) examination, and a transcranial Doppler (TCD) examination. Each skill is divided into four steps: multimedia theory teaching, bedside demonstration, one-on-one real or dummy simulation training, and assessment. The authors analyzed the training results of 1,577 professional and technical personnel who participated in the FFT training model from 2013 to 2020 (25 sessions), including error rate analysis of the written examination, knowledge gap analysis, and influencing factors analysis. Results: The total error rates for all four written examination topics were < 5%, at 4.13% for SLSEP, 4.11% for EEG, 3.71% for TCD, and 3.65% for clinical evaluation. The knowledge gap analysis of the four-skill test papers suggested that the trainees had different knowledge gaps. Based on the univariate analysis and the multiple linear regression analysis, among the six factors, specialty categories, professional and technical titles, and hospital level were the independent influencing factors of answer errors (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The FFT model is suitable for brain death (BD) determination training in China; however, the authors should pay attention to the professional characteristics of participants, strengthen the knowledge gap training, and strive to narrow the difference in training quality.

Meningitis caused by oral anaerobes detected using mNGS tool: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis is a central nervous system (CNS) infection disease of the meninges and brain parenchyma caused by the bacteria. Few cases of meningitis related to oral anaerobes have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of meningitis in a middle-aged woman, caused by oral anaerobes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with fever, headache for 21 days and left limb weakness for 2 days. The blood cell counts (11.73 × 109/L), neutrophil counts (9.22 × 109/L) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (> 5.00 mg/L) were elevated. The brain computerized tomography (CT) scanning indicated the new right thalamus infarct. The brain cranial-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the right lateral paraventricular and right thalamic infarct, and abnormal signal in occipital horns of bilateral lateral ventricles were increased. In addition, the brain enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scanning suggested that meninges were thickened and enhanced at the base of the brain, with meningitis changes. The neck CT angiography (CTA) revealed arteriosclerotic changes. The metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed Eubacterium brachy, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Torque teno virus in her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The patient was diagnosed with purulent meningitis caused by infection of oral anaerobes, and treated with mannitol, ceftriaxone and vancomycin. Her symptoms alleviated. Subsequently, she was transferred to the infectious department and treated with ceftriaxone plus metronidazole (anti-anaerobes) and mannitol (reduce intracranial pressure). Her symptoms improved and currently received rehabilitation treatment. CONCLUSION: We herein report a rare case involving meningitis caused by infection of oral anaerobes. The mNGS can accurately detect the pathogens of infectious diseases.

The neuroprotective role of prolonged normobaric oxygenation applied during ischemia and in the early stage of reperfusion in cerebral ischemic rats.

BACKGROUND: Recanalization is the main treatment option for ischemic stroke. However, prognosis remains poor for about half of patients after recanalization, possibly due to the "no-reflow" phenomenon at the early phase of recanalization. Normobaric oxygenation (NBO) during ischemia can reportedly maintain the partial pressure of oxygen and exert a protective effect in ischemic brain tissue. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: This study investigated whether prolonged NBO treatment during ischemia and the early phase of reperfusion (i/rNBO) has neuroprotective effects and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion plus reperfusion. RESULTS: NBO treatment significantly elevated the level of O2 in the atmosphere and arterial blood without altering the level of CO2. The infarcted cerebral volume was significantly reduced by application of i/rNBO as compared to iNBO (applied during ischemia) or rNBO (applied at the early phase of reperfusion), indicating better protective effects of i/rNBO. i/rNBO more effectively suppressed s-nitrosylation of MMP-2 (amplifying inflammation) as compared to iNBO and rNBO, dramatically downregulated the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1, acting as the substrate of MMP-2), and suppressed neuronal apoptosis, as determined by the TUNEL assay and staining for NeuN. These results demonstrated that application of i/rNBO in the early stage of reperfusion significantly alleviated neuronal apoptosis via suppression of the MMP-2/PARP-1 pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism underlying the neuroprotective role of i/rNBO involved prolonged NBO treatment for cerebral ischemia, suggesting that i/rNBO may allow expansion of the time window for NBO application in stroke patients following vascular recanalization.

Development and validation of a random forest model to predict functional outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a machine learning (ML)-based model to predict functional outcome in Chinese patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with ICH between November 2017 and November 2020. The follow-up period ended in February 2021. The study population was divided into training and testing sets with a ratio of 7:3. All variables were included in the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression for feature selection. The selected variables were incorporated into the random forest algorithm to construct the prediction model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated via the area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and calibration curve. RESULTS: A total of 412 ICH patients were included, with 288 in the training set, and 124 in the testing set. Twelve attributes were selected: neurological deterioration, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at 24 h, baseline GCS score, time from onset to the emergency room, blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) change in 24 h, hematoma volume change in 24 h, systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), systolic blood pressure (SBP) change in 24 h, serum creatinine, serum sodium, and age. In the testing set, the accuracy, AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the model were 0.895, 0.964, 0.872, 0.906, 0.810, and 0.939, respectively. The calibration curves showed a good calibration capability of the model. CONCLUSION: This developed random forest model performed well in predicting 3-month poor functional outcome for Chinese ICH patients.

Diagnosis of an Acinetobacter pittii from a patient in China with a multiplex PCR-based targeted gene sequencing platform of the cerebrospinal fluid: A case report with literature review.

BACKGROUND: The traditional diagnosis model has great challenges for the etiological diagnosis of the central nervous system (CNS) diseases with similar clinical manifestations, especially for the diagnosis of rare pathogens. It is very important to make rapid and accurate identification of pathogens for guiding clinical choices in administering countermeasures. CASE SUMMARY: On August 22, 2020, a 49 years old Chinese male patient had a headache for two days, and then the computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Subsequently, he underwent twice craniotomy and about 3 weeks of hospitalization. Since September 20, the patient was in the local rehabilitation hospital for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for about three weeks. Then the patient developed acute purulent meningoencephalitis. In the absence of diagnosis of specific pathogenic bacteria, vancomycin (1 g every 12 hours), ceftazidime (2 g every 8 hours), mannitol dehydration (125 mL, every 8 hours), and sodium valproate (0.4 g tid) was used timely according to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination and clinical manifestations. CSF smear and routine culture test were negative during hospitalization. We used the metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) analysis of CSF for quick and accurate diagnosis, which identified human herpesvirus type 4 (EBV), Corynebacterium corynebacterium, Achromobacter xylose oxidation, and Acinetobacter baumannii, But the mapping degree was not high. Then, we used the modified method-multiplex PCR-based targeted gene sequencing platform (ptNGS) to detect CSF samples and found that the sequences detected were Acinetobacter pittii (A. pittii) and Staphylococcus epidermidis. S. epidermidis might come from skin colonization during lumbar puncture, so it was excluded from the etiological diagnosis. Therefore, we highly suspected that A. pittii was the pathogen in this case. After about three weeks of hospitalization treatment, the patient's symptoms were relieved. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, empirical medication before the identification of pathogens is very important. The ptNGS may be an effective method for the diagnosis of pathogens.

A Prediction Model for Neurological Deterioration in Patients with Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore factors related to neurological deterioration (ND) after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and establish a prediction model based on random forest analysis in evaluating the risk of ND. Methods: The clinical data of 411 patients with acute sICH at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University and Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University between January 2018 and December 2020 were collected. After adjusting for variables, multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate the factors related to the ND in patients with acute ICH. Then, based on the related factors in the multivariate logistic regression and four variables that have been identified as contributing to ND in the literature, we established a random forest model. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the prediction performance of this model. Results: The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that time of onset to the emergency department (ED), baseline hematoma volume, serum sodium, and serum calcium were independently associated with the risk of ND. Simultaneously, the random forest model was developed and included eight predictors: serum calcium, time of onset to ED, serum sodium, baseline hematoma volume, systolic blood pressure change in 24 h, age, intraventricular hemorrhage expansion, and gender. The area under the curve value of the prediction model reached 0.795 in the training set and 0.713 in the testing set, which suggested the good predicting performance of the model. Conclusion: Some factors related to the risk of ND were explored. Additionally, a prediction model for ND of acute sICH patients was developed based on random forest analysis, and the developed model may have a good predictive value through the internal validation.

Hepatitis B virus in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with purulent bacterial meningitis detected by multiplex-PCR: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a common central nervous system inflammatory disease. BM may cause serious complications, and early diagnosis is essential to improve the prognosis of affected patients. CASE SUMMARY: A 37-year-old man was hospitalized with purulent meningitis because of worsening headache for 12 h, accompanied by vomiting, fever, and rhinorrhea. Head computed tomography showed a lesion in the left frontal lobe. Infectious disease screening showed positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e antigen, and hepatitis B core antigen. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was suspected based on clinical history. Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) was detected in CSF by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology, confirming the diagnosis of purulent BM. After treatment, multiplex PCR indicated the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and absence of S. pneumoniae DNA in CSF samples. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of HBV in the CSF of a patient with purulent BM. Multiplex PCR is more sensitive than mNGS for detecting HBV DNA.

Efficacy of acetazolamide for the prophylaxis of acute mountain sickness: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a benign and self-limiting syndrome, but can progress to life-threatening conditions if leave untreated. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of acetazolamide for the prophylaxis of AMS, and disclose factors that affect the treatment effect of acetazolamide. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of acetazolamide versus placebo for the prevention of AMS were included. The incidence of AMS was our primary endpoint. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore factors that associated with acetazolamide efficacy. Trial sequential analyses were conducted to estimate the statistical power of the available data. RESULTS: A total of 22 trials were included. Acetazolamide at 125, 250, and 375 mg/bid significantly reduced incidence of AMS compared to placebo. TAS indicated that the current evidence was adequate confirming the efficacy of acetazolamide at 125, 250, and 375 mg/bid in lowering incidence of AMS. There was no evidence of an association between efficacy and dose of acetazolamide, timing at start of acetazolamide treatment, mode of ascent, AMS assessment score, timing of AMS assessment, baseline altitude, and endpoint altitude. CONCLUSION: Acetazolamide is effective prophylaxis for the prevention of AMS at 125, 250, and 375 mg/bid. Future investigation should focus on personal characteristics, disclosing the correlation between acetazolamide efficacy and body mass, height, degree of prior acclimatization, individual inborn susceptibility, and history of AMS.

Efficacy of Acetazolamide for the Prophylaxis of Acute Mountain Sickness: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a benign and self-limiting syndrome but can progress to life-threatening conditions if leave untreated. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of acetazolamide for the prophylaxis of AMS and disclose potential factors that affect the treatment effect of acetazolamide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of acetazolamide versus placebo for the prevention of AMS were included. The incidence of AMS was the primary endpoint. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore potential factors associated with acetazolamide efficacy. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to estimate the statistical power of the available data. RESULTS: A total of 22 trials were included. Acetazolamide at 125, 250, and 375 mg/ twice daily (bid) significantly reduced incidence of AMS compared to placebo. TAS indicated that the current evidence was adequate confirming the efficacy of acetazolamide at 125, 250, and 375 mg/bid in lowering incidence of AMS. There was no evidence of an association between efficacy and dose of acetazolamide, timing at start of acetazolamide treatment, mode of ascent, AMS assessment score, timing of AMS assessment, baseline altitude, and endpoint altitude. CONCLUSION: Acetazolamide is effective prophylaxis for the prevention of AMS in doses of 125, 250, and 375 mg/bid. Future investigations should focus on personal characteristics, disclosing the correlation between acetazolamide efficacy and body mass, height, degree of prior acclimatization, individual inborn susceptibility, and history of AMS.

Applying the pathogen-targeted next-generation sequencing method to pathogen identification in cerebrospinal fluid.

BACKGROUND: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture is a widely used method for the diagnosis of meningitis, but its detection sensitivity is low. Several new methods have been developed for pathogen detection, including metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and pathogen-targeted NGS (ptNGS). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of ptNGS in pathogen detection in CSF. METHODS: CSF specimens were acquired from 38 patients with meningitis who were diagnosed at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University between October 2020 and February 2021. DNA was extracted from the CSF samples, and pathogens were identified using both ptNGS and mNGS. SPSS 22.0 software was used to compare the pathogen detection performance of ptNGS and mNGS in CSF. RESULTS: Among the 38 patients with meningitis, 14 had a non-infectious disease (NID) and 24 had an infectious disease (ID). Of the 38 samples, both ptNGS and mNGS detected 9 (23.7%) positive samples, and 12 (31.6%) negative samples. Thirteen (34.2%) samples were detected to be positive by ptNGS only, and 4 (10.5%) were detected to be positive by mNGS only. The positivity rate detected by ptNGS for the ID group was higher than that detected by mNGS (P=0.080), and the positivity rates detected by ptNGS and mNGS for the NID group were comparable. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of diagnosing an ID by ptNGS were 77.3% and 56.3%, respectively. While, the PPV and NPV of diagnosing an ID by mNGS were 76.9% and 44.0%, respectively. ptNGS increased the sensitivity rate by approximately 70%. The sensitivity rate of ptNGS was higher than that of mNGS (70.8% vs. 41.7%), while the specificity rate of mNGS was higher than that of ptNGS (78.6% vs. 64.3%). Additionally, ptNGS required a shorter time for pathogen diagnosis (15 vs. 24 hrs) and had lower costs than mNGS. CONCLUSIONS: ptNGS has a number of advantages over mNGS, including its sensitivity, timeliness, and economy, all factors that are important considerations in clinical use.

Electroencephalography and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Simultaneous Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in a Patient With Minimally Conscious State.

OBJECTIVE: A minimally conscious state (MCS) is characterized by discernible behavioral evidence of consciousness that cannot be reproduced consistently. This condition is highly challenging to treat. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic effect of non-invasive brain stimulation in patients with MCS. In one patient in an MCS, we delivered simultaneous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) based on an individual brain network analysis and evaluated the therapeutic effect. METHODS: The directional transfer function (DTF) was calculated based on electroencephalograph (EEG) analysis. Global brain connectivity was calculated based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis. By referring to the EEG and fMRI results, we identified inferior parietal lobes (IPLs) as targets. In the 2-week treatment period, 14 sessions were applied to the identified bilateral parietal regions. Simultaneous 1.5-mA anodal tDCS and 5-Hz rTMS were delivered for 20 min per hemisphere in each session. Clinical evaluation scores were recorded weekly throughout the treatment. A second patient given the routine treatment was evaluated as a control. RESULTS: The clinical scores of patient 1 with MCS improved after 2 weeks of stimulation treatment, and the effect lasted for up to 1 month. EEG analysis showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the DTF value in the gamma band in a bilateral set of posterior regions, and fMRI showed a trend toward normalized activity in the IPLs. The clinical scores of patient 2 with coma did not improve much after 2 weeks of routine treatment. The EEG analysis showed a significant increase (p = 0.021) in the DTF value in the gamma band in a bilateral set of posterior regions. CONCLUSION: The application of EEG and fMRI to characterize the functional connectivity features of the network in an MCS patient provided a reasonable and accurate stimulation target and verified the changes in functional connectivity resulting from stimulation.

Predicting the non-survival outcome of large hemispheric infarction patients via quantitative electroencephalography: Superiority to visual electroencephalography and the Glasgow Coma Scale.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) data are useful to predict outcomes of cerebral infarction patients. This study was performed to establish the value of QEEG in the prediction of outcomes in patients with large hemispheric infarction (LHI). METHODS: A prognostic blinded cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with LHI in our neurocritical care unit. The electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded at the bedside within 3 days of LHI onset. Each EEG expert scored the raw EEG, and QEEG parameters including the absolute power, (delta + theta)/ (alpha + beta) ratio and brain symmetry index were obtained afterwards. Baseline data including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was recorded at the meantime. Outcomes included survival or non-survival at the time of discharge and 6 months after the onset of LHI. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients entered into the final analysis. There were no differences in baseline data or visual EEG grades between survival and non-survival groups. QEEG analysis showed that the absolute theta power of all of the electrodes and the contralateral electrodes was significantly higher in the non-survival group than in the survival group at discharge. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that theta power of the contralateral electrodes was an independent predictor of death at discharge and at 6 months. Compared to the GCS and EEG grading, the QEEG index exhibited higher accuracy in predicting non-survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Among QEEG indices, theta power is valuable in predicting non-survival outcome in participants and is superior to visual EEG and GCS.

An Investigation and Suggestions for the Improvement of Brain Death Determination in China.

BACKGROUND: Brain death is the irreversible cessation of the function of the brain including the brainstem. In 2013, the Brain Injury Evaluation Quality Control Centre (BQCC) of the National Health and Family Planning Commission issued criteria and practical guidelines for the determination of brain death. This study aimed to evaluate whether the institutions have adopted these guidelines and to make suggestions for the improvement of the current criteria and practical guidelines for brain death determination in China. METHODS: Consecutive brain death cases from 44 hospitals were evaluated for summary statistics for the following data: the performance of BQCC criteria and practical guidelines, clinical examination, apnea testing, ancillary testing, and the number of examinations as well as the waiting periods between examinations and details of who determined brain death. Data analysis was conducted from January 2013 to December 2017. RESULTS: A total of 550 cases were obtained. All patients were determined to have deep coma and met the prerequisites for clinical testing. The performance rates of four brainstem reflex examinations (except cough reflex) ranged from 97.5% to 98.0%, and the completion rate as well as the coincidence rate were both 100.0%. The 238 cases (50.7%) completed apnea testing, and 231 cases (42.0%) had to stop apnea testing during the examination because of instability. The performance rates of the three ancillary tests, including electroencephalogram, short-latency somatosensory evoked potential, and transcranial Doppler, were 89.5%, 67.5%, and 79.5%, respectively; furthermore, the coincidence rates were 98.6%, 96.5%, and 99.5%, respectively. The combination of two ancillary tests was more accurate than one single ancillary test. A total of 401 (72.9%) cases successfully underwent two separate examinations to determine brain death with at least a 12-h waiting period. All brain death cases were determined by at least two qualified physicians. CONCLUSION: This study might provide suggestions for brain death determination in China.

Study of Simplified Coma Scales: Acute Stroke Patients with Tracheal Intubation.

BACKGROUND: Whether the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) can assess intubated patients is still a topic of controversy. We compared the test performance of the GCS motor component (GCS-M)/Simplified Motor Score (SMS) to the total of the GCS in predicting the outcomes of intubated acute severe cerebral vascular disease patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected observational data was performed. Between January 2012 and October 2015, 106 consecutive acute severe cerebral vascular disease patients with intubation were included in the study. GCS, GCS-M, GCS eye-opening component, and SMS were documented on admission and at 24, 48, and 72 h after admission to Neurointensive Care Unit (NCU). Outcomes were death and unfavorable prognosis (modified Rankin Scale: 5-6) at NCU discharge. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was obtained to determine the prognostic performance and best cutoff value for each scoring system. Comparison of the area under the ROC curves (AUCs) was performed using the Z- test. RESULTS: Of 106 patients included in the study, 41 (38.7%) patients died, and 69 (65.1%) patients had poor prognosis when discharged from NCU. The four time points within 72 h of admission to the NCU were equivalent for each scale's predictive power, except that 0 h was the best for each scale in predicting outcomes of patients with right-hemisphere lesions. Nonsignificant difference was found between GCS-M AUCs and GCS AUCs in predicting death at 0 h (0.721 vs. 0.717, Z = 0.135, P = 0.893) and 72 h (0.730 vs. 0.765, Z = 1.887, P = 0.060), in predicting poor prognosis at 0 h (0.827 vs. 0.819, Z = 0.395, P = 0.693), 24 h (0.771 vs. 0.760, Z = 0.944, P = 0.345), 48 h (0.732 vs. 0.741, Z = 0.593, P = 0.590), and 72 h (0.775 vs. 0.780, Z = 0.302, P = 0.763). AUCs in predicting death for patients with left-hemisphere lesions ranged from 0.700 to 0.804 for GCS-M and from 0.700 to 0.824 for GCS, in predicting poor prognosis ranged from 0.841 to 0.969 for GCS-M and from 0.875 to 0.969 for GCS, with no significant difference between GCS-M AUCs and GCS AUCs within 72 h (P > 0.05). No significant difference between GCS-M AUCs and GCS AUCs was found in predicting death (0.964 vs. 0.964, P = 1.000) and poor prognosis (1.000 vs. 1.000, P = 1.000) for patients with right-hemisphere lesions at 0 h. AUCs in predicting death for patients with brainstem or cerebella were poor for GCS-M (<0.700), in predicting poor prognosis ranged from 0.727 to 0.801 for GCS-M and from 0.704 to 0.820 for GCS, with no significant difference between GCS-M AUCs and GCS AUCs within 72 h (P > 0.05). The SMS AUCs (<0.700) in predicting outcomes were poor. CONCLUSIONS: The GCS-M approaches the same test performance as the GCS in assessing the prognosis of intubated acute severe cerebral vascular disease patients. The GCS-M could be accurately and reliably applied in patients with hemisphere lesions, but caution must be taken for patients with brainstem or cerebella lesions.

Phenobarbital Versus Valproate for Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Adults: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial in China.

OBJECTIVE: Although generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a life-threatening emergency, evidence-based data to guide initial drug treatment choices are lacking in the Chinese population. We conducted this prospective, randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of intravenous phenobarbital and valproate in patients with GCSE. METHODS: After the failure of first-line diazepam treatment, Chinese adult patients with GCSE were randomized to receive either intravenous phenobarbital (standard doses, low rate) or valproate (standard). Successful treatment was considered when clinical and electroencephalographic seizure activity ceased. Adverse events following treatment, as well as the neurological outcomes at discharge and 3 months later, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 73 cases were enrolled in the study. Intravenous phenobarbital was successful in 81.1% of patients, and intravenous valproate was successful in 44.4% of patients (p < 0.05). The relapse rate of status epilepticus within 24 h of receiving phenobarbital (6.7%) was significantly lower than that in patients receiving valproate (31.3%), and the total number of adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). In the phenobarbital group, two patients (5.4%) required ventilation and two patients (5.4%) developed serious hypotension. The neurological outcomes of the phenobarbital group were generally better than those of the valproate group; however, no significant differences were observed between phenobarbital and valproate with respect to mortality (8.1 vs. 16.6%) at discharge, or mortality (16.2 vs. 30.5%) and post-symptomatic epilepsy (26.3 vs. 42.8%) at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous phenobarbital appears to be more effective than intravenous valproate for Chinese adult patients with GCSE. The occurrence of serious respiratory depression and hypotension caused by phenobarbital was reduced by decreasing the intravenous infusion rate; however, even at a lower infusion rate than typically used in other institutions, intravenous phenobarbital resulted in more serious adverse events than intravenous valproate. The better outcomes in the phenobarbital group compared with the valproate group suggest that phenobarbital should be considered for the early successful treatment of GCSE.