Functional MRI for Acute Covert Consciousness: Emerging Data and Implementation Case Series.

Although research studies have begun to demonstrate relationships between disorders of consciousness and brain network biomarkers, there are limited data on the practical aspects of obtaining such network biomarkers to potentially guide care. As the state of knowledge continues to evolve, guidelines from professional societies such as the American and European Academies of Neurology and many experts have advocated that the risk-benefit ratio for the assessment of network biomarkers has begun to favor their application toward potentially detecting covert consciousness. Given the lack of detailed operationalization guidance and the context of the ethical implications, herein we offer a roadmap based on local institutional experience with the implementation of functional MRI in the neonatal, pediatric, and adult intensive care units of our local government-supported health system. We provide a case-based demonstrative approach intended to review the current literature and to assist with the initiation of such services at other facilities.

Collaborative Integration of Palliative Care in Critically Ill Stroke Patients in the Neurocritical Care Unit: A Single Center Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients admitted to the Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU) with moderate-to-severe acute strokes, along with their surrogate decision makers, have the potential for unrecognized or unmet emotional and psychological needs. Our primary objective was to determine if early integration of palliative care consultations within this cohort was feasible and would impact understanding, decision-making and emotional support to patients and their surrogate decision makers. Our secondary objective was to evaluate the long-term impact of early palliative care assessment on the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: This was a single center prospective pilot study. Patients with moderate-to-severe ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes were randomized into two arms. The control arm received standard intensive care and the intervention arm received an additional early palliative care consultation within 72 hours of hospitalization. Study assessments with the participants were obtained on day 1-3, and day 5-7 of care with comparisons of total scores on the Questionnaire on Communication (QOC), Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Furthermore, comparisons of HADS and PTSD DSM-5 (PCL- 5) scores were completed at 3 months. Linear mixed effects models were conducted to examine the association between intervention and participant's scores. RESULTS: A total of 22 participants were enrolled between February 2019 and April 2020. Statistically significant improvement in scores was seen in the total HADS score (p=0.043) and PCL5 score (p=0.033) at 3 months following intervention. CONCLUSION: Collaboration between the intensive care and palliative care team with early palliative assessment may be beneficial in lowering anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms in critically ill stroke patients and their caregivers. Further research is needed to validate these findings.

Cardio-cerebral infarction in left MCA strokes: a case series and literature review.

The objective of this manuscript is to describe the challenges of Cardio-Cerebral Infarction (CCI) treatment and to highlight the variable approaches in management. CCI is a rare clinical presentation of simultaneous acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and poses a therapeutic challenge for practitioners. Each disease requires timely intervention to prevent irreversible damage; however, optimal management remains unclear. We describe three cases of CCI. All three patients presented with symptomatic left MCA (M1) occlusion, with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and left ventricular apical thrombus. Fibrinolysis and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) were discussed in all cases, but only one patient received alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) and none underwent MT. Percutaneous intervention (PCI) was done in only one case. The two patients that did not receive thrombolysis were treated with modified therapeutic heparin (no bolus), and all received antiplatelet therapy. Ultimately, all three patients passed away. CCI poses a clinical challenge for physicians including (1) optimal strategies to enable swift mechanical reperfusion to both the brain and myocardium; (2) difference in dosage of thrombolytics for AIS versus AMI; (3) risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage following administration of anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet therapy; and (4) caution with use of thrombolytics in the setting of acute STEMI due to the risk of myocardial rupture. In the absence of high quality evidence and clinical guidelines, treatment of CCI is highly individualized.

Clinician's Perception of Practice Changes for Stroke During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Approach to acute cerebrovascular disease management has evolved in the past few months to accommodate the rising needs of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In this study, we investigated the changes in practices and policies related to stroke care through an online survey. METHODS: A 12 question, cross-sectional survey targeting practitioners involved in acute stroke care in the US was distributed electronically through national society surveys, social media and personal communication. RESULTS: Respondants from 39 states completed 206 surveys with the majority (82.5%) from comprehensive stroke centers. Approximately half stated some change in transport practices with 14 (7%) reporting significant reduction in transfers. Common strategies to limit healthcare provider exposure included using personal protective equipment (PPE) for all patients (127; 63.5%) as well as limiting the number of practitioners in the room (129; 64.5%). Most respondents (81%) noted an overall decrease in stroke volume. Many (34%) felt that the outcome or care of acute stroke patients had been impacted by COVID-19. This was associated with a change in hospital transport guidelines (OR 1.325, P = 0.047, 95% CI: 1.004-1.748), change in eligibility criteria for IV-tPA or mechanical thrombectomy (MT) (OR 3.146, P = 0.052, 95% CI: 0.988-10.017), and modified admission practices for post IV-tPA or MT patients (OR 2.141, P = 0.023, 95% CI: 1.110-4.132). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights a change in practices and polices related to acute stroke management in response to COVID-19 which are variable among institutions. There is also a reported reduction in stroke volume across hospitals. Amongst these changes, updates in hospital transport guidelines and practices related to IV-tPA and MT may affect the perceived care and outcome of acute stroke patients.

Acute Thrombocytopenia After Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Stroke.

We present what may be the first case report of acute thrombocytopenia after tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the setting of stroke. Early fibrinogen degradation coagulopathy (EFDC) after tPA has been described in the past and acute thrombocytopenia may fall into this spectrum. Further studies are needed to evaluate the bleeding and mortality risk associated with thrombocytopenia after tPA.

Ultrasound Criteria for Assessment of Vertebral Artery Origins.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to validate ultrasound as a reliable means of assessing vessel stenosis of vertebral artery origins. METHODS: We reviewed 1,135 patient charts with ultrasound of the posterior circulation performed in 2008-2015 in a single hospital. Inclusion criteria for native vessels consisted of ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) performed within 3 months. Patients with indwelling stents were analyzed separately from native vessels. Using DSA as the gold standard, we determined sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in detecting occlusion at vertebral artery origin. All patients with nonoccluded native vertebral artery origins were evaluated for degree of stenosis on DSA, and compared to mean flow velocity (MFV), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) on ultrasound. RESULTS: Among 218 vertebral artery origins in 139 patients evaluated, ultrasound showed sensitivity of 85.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 69.7-95.2%) for occlusion and specificity of 99.5% (95%CI: 96.9-99.9%). Among 126 arteries without occlusion, <50% stenosis had average MFV (39 ± 19 cm/s), 50-69% stenosis had average MFV (68 ± 35 cm/s), and severe (70-99%) stenosis had average MFV (120 ± 93 cm/s) (P < .001). MFV cutoff value of 44 cm/s corresponded to 77% sensitivity and 70% specificity to detect vertebral artery origin stenosis >50% (C-statistic: .81). PSV value of 97 cm/s corresponded with 72% sensitivity and 70% specificity to detect >50% stenosis (C-statistic: .77). MFV cutoff value of 60 cm/s corresponded with 70% sensitivity and 82% specificity to predict 70-99% stenosis (C-statistic: .83). PSV cutoff value of 110 cm/s corresponded with 80% sensitivity and 72% specificity to predict 70-99% stenosis (C-statistic: .84). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound has good sensitivity and excellent specificity for detecting vertebral origin occlusion. Flow velocity can be used to screen for severe stenosis of vertebral artery at origin.

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and blood pressure elevation to treat acute spinal cord infarct.

BACKGROUND: Current management of acute spinal cord infarction (SCI) is limited. Lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) with blood pressure augmentation is utilized in the thoracic/thoracoabdominal aortic repair and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) populations to increase spinal perfusion pressure. CASE DESCRIPTION: We identified 3 patients who sustained acute SCI and underwent CSFD and maintenance of elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP) within 24 hours of injury. The first patient exhibited delayed-onset ischemia after a TEVAR. The second patient presented with an acute type B aortic intramural hematoma. The third patient developed spinal cord ischemia following bronchial artery embolization. There was significant improvement in the motor examination (e.g., ASIA impairment scale grade B or C) to grade D utilizing both blood pressure augmentation and CSFD. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar CSFD with MAP elevation benefited 3 patients with acute SCI of varying etiologies.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome associated with interferon beta-1a use for multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) has been associated with multiple medications, cocaine, pregnancy, migraine, and other conditions. OBJECTIVES: RCVS associated with interferon beta use has never before been described. METHODS: We describe the case of a 20-year-old female who developed acute onset severe headache and was found to have subarachnoid hemorrhage 2 months after initiating Rebif (Interferon beta-1a) for multiple sclerosis (MS). Cerebral angiography showed multiple areas of distal stenosis and dilatation with radiographic resolution 1 month later. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case report of RCVS in an MS patient treated with Rebif.