New Developments in Hypertensive Encephalopathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the latest science on hypertensive encephalopathy and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). We review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of these overlapping syndromes and discuss best practices for diagnosis and management. RECENT FINDINGS: Diagnosis of hypertensive encephalopathy largely relies on exclusion of other neurological emergencies. We review the extensive causes of PRES and its imaging characteristics. Management strategies have not changed substantially in the past decade, though newer calcium channel blockers simplify the approach to blood pressure reduction. While this alone may be sufficient for treatment of hypertensive encephalopathy in most cases, management of PRES also depends on modification of other precipitating factors. Hypertensive encephalopathy and PRES are overlapping disorders for which intensive blood pressure lowering is critical. Further research is indicated to both in diagnosis and additional management strategies for these critical conditions.

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.

Venous hypertensive encephalopathy secondary to venous sinus thrombosis and dural arteriovenous fistula.

A 52-year-old man with a history of factor V Leiden thrombophilia, persistent headaches and papilloedema presented with worsening vision and confusion. MRI and MR angiography of the brain at the time of this presentation showed findings concerning for transverse sinus thrombosis and an associated dural arteriovenous fistula. Dural venous sinus thrombosis can lead to the formation of a dural arteriovenous fistula, which must be considered in the differential diagnosis for intracranial hypertension in patients with thrombophilia.

Hypertensive encephalopathy as a late complication of autonomic dysreflexia in a 12-year-old boy with a previous spinal cord injury.

UNLABELLED: The scope of paediatric autonomic disorders is not well recognised, and paediatricians seem to be generally unaware of the complexity and diversity of their clinical manifestations. We report a 12-year-old boy presenting with hypertensive encephalopathy caused by autonomic dysreflexia. CONCLUSION: This observation emphasises the importance of the recognition of this rare autonomic disorder, which can have potentially life-threatening neurological complications.

Changes in middle cerebral artery velocity after carotid endarterectomy do not identify patients at high-risk of suffering intracranial haemorrhage or stroke due to hyperperfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if significant increases in middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAV) or pulsatility index (PI) during and immediately after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were predictive of patients suffering a stroke due to the hyperperfusion syndrome (HS) or intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) mean/peak MCAV and PI were recorded pre-operatively; pre-clamp; 1-min post-declamping; 10-min post-declamping and 30-min post-operatively. The study was divided into two time periods; Group 1 (1995-2007); where there was no formal guidance for managing post-CEA hypertension (PEH) and Group 2 (2008-2012); where written guidelines for treating PEH were available. RESULTS: 11/1024 patients in Group 1 (1.1%) suffered a stroke due to HS/ICH, compared to 0/426 patients (0.0%) in Group 2 (p = 0.02). In Group 1; intra-operative increases >100% in mean/peak MCAV and PI at 1 and 10-min post-clamp release had positive predictive values (PPV) of 1.2%, 6.3% and 20.0% and 2.9%, 8.0% and 16.6% respectively. Post-operatively; a >100% increase in mean and peak MCAV had a PPV of 6.3% and 2.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: We were unable to demonstrate that significant increases in MCAV and PI were able to predict patients at increased risk of suffering a post-operative stroke due to HS or ICH. The provision of written guidance for managing PEH in Group 2 patients was associated with virtual abolition of ICH/HS.

Hippocampal sclerosis and chronic epilepsy following posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Chronic epilepsy has rarely been reported after posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and the association with hippocampal sclerosis has been suggested only once before. We report the case of a girl admitted at the age of 8 years with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. On the second day of admission, she presented with focal complex seizures and cerebral MRI showed posterior encephalopathy and no hippocampal sclerosis. MRI after one month confirmed the diagnosis of PRES. The seizures recurred and the girl developed pharmacoresistant epilepsy and was admitted to our hospital for further investigation. Cerebral MRI three years after the diagnosis of PRES showed hippocampal sclerosis which was not present on the initial MRI. We conclude that there is a triggering role of PRES in the development of hippocampal sclerosis. Hippocampal sclerosis may have resulted from seizure-associated damage, alternatively, hypertensive encephalopathy may have led to hippocampal damage via a vascular mechanism.

[Hypertensive crisis: pathogenesis, clinic, treatment].

Contemporary data on mechanisms of development, types, and clinical picture of hypertensive crisis (HC) are presented. Algorithms of rational therapy of uncomplicated and complicated HC are considered. Appropriateness of the use in HC of antihypertensive drugs with multifactorial action is stressed. These drugs include urapidil - an antihypertensive agent with complex mechanism of action. Blocking mainly the postsynaptic 1-adrenoreceptors urapidil attenuates vasoconstrictor effect of catecholamines and decreases total peripheral resistance. Stimulation of 5HT1-receptors of medullary vasculomotor center promotes lowering of elevated vascular tone and prevents development of reflex tachycardia.

[Neyromidin in the treatment of stage I hypertensive dyscirculatory encephalopathy].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neyromidin in the treatment of Stage I hypertensive dyscirculatory encephalopathy (HDE) and to analyze long-term treatment results. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven with Stage I dyscirculatory encephalopathy in the presence of grades 1-2 arterial hypertension were examined. Clinical, psychological, and electrophysiological studies were performed and the efficacy of neyromidin was evaluated using the SANDOS geriatric scale. Neyromidin as monotherapy was used as one tablet (20 mg) b.i.d. during a meal. The duration of course treatment was 3 months. RESULTS: Positive changes in the early manifestations of HDE were observed just on day 45 of therapy. The therapeutic effect of the drug manifested as a reduction in the degree of clinical symptoms. There were positive changes in attention, memory, kinetics, verbal associations, counting. The most noticeable improvement was seen in the values of memory and intellectual processes, suggesting higher working capacity, reduced fatigability, and eliminated sluggishness of intellectual processes. EEG displayed a higher amplitude level, a better response to rhythmic photostimulation, and a total power rise in a- and 8-ranges, which was indicative of the activated effect of neyromidin on the functional state of brain structures. CONCLUSION: Neyromidin (20 mg b.i.d. for 3 months) was shown to be effective and well tolerated. The drug reduced the magnitude of clinical manifestations and improved psychological functions and electrophysiological parameters.

Hypertensive encephalopathy as the initial manifestation of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a 7-year-old girl.

We report a case involving a 7-year-old girl who initially presented with seizure and hypertensive encephalopathy, serious autonomic manifestations associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, followed by subsequent bilateral ascending flaccid paralysis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed cytoalbuminous dissociation. Nerve conduction velocity tests showed features of demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. An immunofluorescence test of her serum was positive for mycoplasma immunoglobulin M antibody. The present case highlights the importance of considering the initial autonomic manifestations of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the differential diagnosis of unexplained acute hypertensive crisis.

Malignant hypertension with reversible brainstem hypertensive encephalopathy and thrombotic microangiopathy.

A 42-year-old woman presented with headache and nausea. Severe hypertension, renal dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, and anemia were present. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of her head revealed widespread hyperintense lesions located in the brainstem and cerebellum on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging. Hypertensive encephalopathy was suspected, and antihypertensive therapy was started. A second MRI of the patient's head on day 12 of hospitalization revealed that the hyperintensities in the brainstem and cerebellum had almost disappeared, and that thrombocytopenia, anemia, and renal dysfunction had also gradually improved. Test results led to a diagnosis of malignant hypertension. This patient was regarded as suffering from malignant hypertension with reversible brainstem hypertensive encephalopathy (RBHE) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). RBHE and TMA are known to occur as complications of malignant hypertension, but there has been no previous report of them occurring simultaneously. RBHE and TMA related to malignant hypertension are both conditions that can be improved by the rapid institution of antihypertensive therapy, and as such, early diagnosis and treatment are important. When treating patients with malignant hypertension, the possibility that it may be complicated by both RBHE and TMA must be kept in mind.

[Cognitive impairment in elderly patients with acute hypertensive encephalopathy].

Acute hypertensive encephalopathy in elderly patients appears reversible mild cognitive impairment. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood creatinine measured during a hypertensive crisis are predictors of decline of visual-spatial orientation after two weeks of treatment.

[A clinical analysis of reninoma-induced hypertensive crisis associated with reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: Reninoma is a rare benign tumor of the renal juxtaglomerular cell apparatus that causes hypertension and hypokalemia via hypersecretion of renin, while it is extremely rare that reninoma induced hypertensive crisis with reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome (RPES). To improve the clinical understanding for this disease, we conducted a case-analysis. METHODS: To analyze the clinical and pathological data of a case of reninoma-induced hypertensive crisis with reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome, who was admitted to Peking University First Hospital in November, 2007 and follow-up. RESULTS: This was a 16-year old female patient, onset with suddenly spasm with loss of consciousness, while blood pressure stepped up to 210/140 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), and the head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed "multiple long-T(2) signal", and hypokalemia (2.8 - 3.2 mmol/L), urine protein positive, ultrasound cardiogram revealed left ventricular hypertrophy, laboratory study revealed hyperreninism (38.23 ng·ml(-1)×h(-1), normal range 0.07 - 1.15 ng·ml(-1)×h(-1)) and hyperaldosteronism (660.9 ng/L, normal range 60 - 174 ng/L), abdominal CT-Scan revealed a mass at right kidney, blood pressure achieved safety range and the head MRI was rechecked and revealed "the abnormal long-T(2) signal disappeared". The clinical diagnosis was reninoma induced hypertensive crisis with RPES. The tumor was resected and the pathologic diagnosis was reninoma. The patient remained normotensive in the postoperative period without any medication. CONCLUSIONS: Reninoma represents a rare but surgically curable cause of hypertension, thus the clinical suspicion of it is very important in young patients. If the diagnosis is confirmed, positive treatment must be done immediately to improve the prognosis. The most common cause of RPES is hypertension, and the diagnosis depends on the distinctive head MRI. There is always a good prognosis with the decline of blood pressure rapidly.

[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.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in childhood cancer.

BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by seizures, headaches, altered mental status, cortical blindness and typical transient lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe seven childhood cancer patients with clinical and radiological symptoms of PRES, and reviewed all well-documented PRES cases reported during childhood cancer treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-six children with PRES, including our 7 cases, were identified in the literature. Mean age at onset was 9 (range: 2-17) years. Primary diagnoses were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 31), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 5), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 7) and solid tumors (n = 13). PRES patients presented with seizures (n = 50), altered mental status (n = 20), visual disturbances (n = 24) and/or headaches (n = 17). PRES was associated with hypertension in 49 patients. About 86% of the patients had both clinical and radiological reversible symptoms. Four patients developed epilepsy, in one patient ataxia remained and one patient had a persistent mydriasis. CONCLUSION: Although PRES has predominantly been described in leukemia patients, it occurs in children with solid tumors as well. Hypertension seems to be the most important trigger for the occurrence of PRES during childhood cancer treatment. Seizures are the most common accompanying sign. Symptoms and radiological findings normalize in ∼90% of the cases, but in 10% neurological symptoms remain.

Does hemodialysis hurt the brain?

Dialysis patients have a high prevalence of both structural brain abnormalities and cognitive impairment. The pathogenesis of the structural brain abnormalities and cognitive impairment as well the relationship between the two is however less clear. In this editorial, we question whether the hemodialysis procedure itself may be partly responsible for the structural abnormalities noted on imaging studies as well as for the cognitive impairment. We invoke several mechanisms whereby the procedure itself may "hurt" the brain including rapid changes in blood pressure, microembolization, microbleeds, and cerebral edema. We then summarize research questions whose answers may help move the field forward.

Recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a sickle cell patient.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in sickle cell patients has been rarely reported previously in the setting of severe crisis or uncontrolled hypertension. Here, we report a rare and unusual case of recurrent PRES in a young adult sickle cell patient without any obvious precipitating factors.

A PRESsing dissection.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial dissections have been associated with baroreceptor reflex failure. When this occurs labile hypertension may be observed with its own complications, including but not limited to the clinico-radiographic entity, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: We describe a case of carotid dissection resulting in PRES. CONCLUSIONS: We believe failure of the baroreceptor reflex due to carotid dissection resulted in hypertension and subsequent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a recently described clinicoradiological entity. Neuroimaging is very demonstrative and can be the first clue to the diagnosis. Common causes of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome are hypertensive encephalopathy, immunosuppressive treatment, renal failure and eclampsia. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Clinical findings are not sufficiently specific; however, neuroimaging is often characteristic.

Recurrent and atypical posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a child with peritoneal dialysis.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical and radiologic entity characterized by headache, seizures, visual changes, altered mental status, and focal neurologic signs. Typically, PRES involves the parietooccipital lobes; however, it can involve atypical localizations such as frontal lobe, basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem, and gray matter. Sudden increases in blood pressure and associated renal failure are probably the most frequently encountered etiologies in the literature. Recurrence of PRES is not common. In this article, we present recurrent atypical PRES in a hypertensive child with end-stage renal disease on a peritoneal dialysis program as a rare case and we discuss recurrence. Infections and sudden increase in blood pressure were observed as the causes of recurrent PRES in our patient. The reversibility of PRES depends on immediate diagnosis and therapy; therefore, it should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of seizures or coma in chronic kidney disease patients.

[Headache and hypertension. Myth and evidence]. / Kopfschmerz und Bluthochdruck. Mythos und Evidenz.

The relationship between headache and hypertension has been debated for many years. Although most studies have shown that chronic hypertension and headache are not associated, the myth of a hypertensive headache still exists. There are several reasons why the "hypertension headache" misperception persists: Hypertension is an epiphenomenon of pain. Headache is a common side effect of some antihypertensive drugs. Headache is the most common presenting symptom of hypertensive encephalopathy, followed by seizures, focal neurological deficits and loss of consciousness. This review summarizes the existing literature and highlights the relationship between headache, hypertension and disease with a focus on hypertensive encephalopathy and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with acute endothelial damage.