Cerebro-spinal fluid glucose and lactate concentrations changes in response to therapies in patIents with primary brain injury: the START-TRIP study.

INTRODUCTION: Altered levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and lactate concentrations are associated with poor outcomes in acute brain injury patients. However, no data on changes in such metabolites consequently to therapeutic interventions are available. The aim of the study was to assess CSF glucose-to-lactate ratio (CGLR) changes related to therapies aimed at reducing intracranial pressure (ICP). METHODS: A multicentric prospective cohort study was conducted in 12 intensive care units (ICUs) from September 2017 to March 2022. Adult (> 18 years) patients admitted after an acute brain injury were included if an external ventricular drain (EVD) for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was inserted within 24 h of admission. During the first 48-72 h from admission, CGLR was measured before and 2 h after any intervention aiming to reduce ICP ("intervention"). Patients with normal ICP were also sampled at the same time points and served as the "control" group. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were included. In the intervention group (n = 115, 53%), ICP significantly decreased and CPP increased. After 2 h from the intervention, CGLR rose in both the intervention and control groups, although the magnitude was higher in the intervention than in the control group (20.2% vs 1.6%; p = 0.001). In a linear regression model adjusted for several confounders, therapies to manage ICP were independently associated with changes in CGLR. There was a weak inverse correlation between changes in ICP and CGRL in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CGLR significantly changed over time, regardless of the study group. However, these effects were more significant in those patients receiving interventions to reduce ICP.

Brain tissue oxygenation monitoring in subarachnoid hemorrhage for the detection of delayed ischemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a severe subtype of stroke which can be caused by the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. Following SAH, about 30% of patients develop a late neurologic deterioration due to a delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). This is a metanalysis and systematic review on the association between values of brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) and DCI in patients with SAH. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The protocol was written according to the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and approved by the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO registration number CRD42021229338). Relevant literature published up to August 1, 2022 was systematically searched throughout the databases MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, SCOPUS. A systematic review and metanalysis was carried out. The studies considered eligible were those published in English; that enrolled adult patients (≥18years) admitted to neurointensive care units with aneurysmal SAH (aSAH); that reported presence of multimodality monitoring including PbtO2 and detection of DCI during the period of monitoring. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We founded 286 studies, of which six considered eligible. The cumulative mean of PbtO2 was 19.5 mmHg in the ischemic group and 24.1mmHg in the non ischemic group. The overall mean difference of the values of PbtO2 between the patients with or without DCI resulted significantly different (-4.32 mmHg [IC 95%: -5.70, -2.94], without heterogeneity, I2 = 0%, and a test for overall effect with P<0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: PbtO2 values were significantly lower in patients with DCI. Waiting for definitive results, monitoring of PbtO2 should be considered as a complementary parameter for multimodal monitoring of the risk of DCI in patients with SAH.

Continuous EEG monitoring by a new simplified wireless headset in intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: In critically ill patients continuous EEG (cEEG) is recommended in several conditions. Recently, a new wireless EEG headset (CerebAir®,Nihon-Kohden) is available. It has 8 electrodes, and its positioning seems to be easier than conventional systems. Aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of this device for cEEG monitoring, if positioned by ICU physician. METHODS: Neurological patients were divided in two groups according with the admission to Neuro-ICU (Study-group:20 patients) or General-ICU (Control-group:20 patients). In Study group, cEEG was recorded by CerebAir® assembled by an ICU physician, while in Control group a simplified 8-electrodes-EEG recording positioned by an EEG technician was performed. RESULTS: Time for electrodes applying was shorter in Study-group than in Control-group: 6.2 ± 1.1' vs 10.4 ± 2.3'; p < 0.0001. Thirty five interventions were necessary to correct artifacts in Study-group and 11 in Control-group. EEG abnormalities with or without epileptic meaning were respectively 7(35%) and 7(35%) in Study-group, and 5(25%) and 9(45%) in Control-group;p > 0.05. In Study-group, cEEG was interrupted for risk of skin lesions in 4 cases after 52 ± 4 h. cEEG was obtained without EEG technician in all cases in Study-group; quality of EEG was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Although several limitations should be considered, this simplified EEG system could be feasible even if EEG technician was not present. It was faster to position if compared with standard techniques, and can be used for continuous EEG monitoring. It could be very useful as part of diagnostic process in an emergency setting.

Continuous Electroencephalography Monitoring in Adults in the Intensive Care Unit.

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2018. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2018 . Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901 .