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BACKGROUND: Numerous trials have addressed intracranial pressure (ICP) management in neurocritical care. However, identifying its harmful thresholds and controlling ICP remain challenging in terms of improving outcomes. Evidence suggests that an individualized approach is necessary for establishing tolerance limits for ICP, incorporating factors such as ICP waveform (ICPW) or pulse morphology along with additional data provided by other invasive (e.g., brain oximetry) and noninvasive monitoring (NIM) methods (e.g., transcranial Doppler, optic nerve sheath diameter ultrasound, and pupillometry). This study aims to assess current ICP monitoring practices among experienced clinicians and explore whether guidelines should incorporate ancillary parameters from NIM and ICPW in future updates. METHODS: We conducted a survey among experienced professionals involved in researching and managing patients with severe injury across low-middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). We sought their insights on ICP monitoring, particularly focusing on the impact of NIM and ICPW in various clinical scenarios. RESULTS: From October to December 2023, 109 professionals from the Americas and Europe participated in the survey, evenly distributed between LMIC and HIC. When ICP ranged from 22 to 25 mm Hg, 62.3% of respondents were open to considering additional information, such as ICPW and other monitoring techniques, before adjusting therapy intensity levels. Moreover, 77% of respondents were inclined to reassess patients with ICP in the 18-22 mm Hg range, potentially escalating therapy intensity levels with the support of ICPW and NIM. Differences emerged between LMIC and HIC participants, with more LMIC respondents preferring arterial blood pressure transducer leveling at the heart and endorsing the use of NIM techniques and ICPW as ancillary information. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced clinicians tend to personalize ICP management, emphasizing the importance of considering various monitoring techniques. ICPW and noninvasive techniques, particularly in LMIC settings, warrant further exploration and could potentially enhance individualized patient care. The study suggests updating guidelines to include these additional components for a more personalized approach to ICP management.
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The impact of illicit drug markets on the occurrence of violence varies tremendously depending on many factors. Over the last years, Mexico and the USA have increased security border issues that included many aspects of drug-related trade and criminal activities. Mexico experienced only a small reduction in trauma deaths after the enforcement of severe crime reinforcement policies. This strategy in the war on drugs is shifting the drug market to other Central American countries. This phenomenon is called the ballooning effect, whereby the pressure to control illicit drug-related activities in one particular area forces a shift to other more vulnerable areas that leads to an increase in crime and violence. A human rights crisis characterized by suffering, injury, and death related to drug trafficking continues to expand, resulting in the exorbitant loss of lives and cost in productivity across the continent. The current climate of social violence in Central America and the illegal immigration to the USA may be partially related to this phenomenon of drug trafficking, gang violence, and crime. A health care initiative as an alternative to the current war approach may be one of the interventions needed to reduce this crisis.
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Tráfico de Drogas/estadística & datos numéricos , Drogas Ilícitas , Violencia/estadística & datos numéricos , América Central , Tráfico de Drogas/economía , Política de Salud/legislación & jurisprudencia , Humanos , Drogas Ilícitas/efectos adversos , Drogas Ilícitas/economía , Drogas Ilícitas/legislación & jurisprudencia , México/epidemiología , Política , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/epidemiología , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The use of invasive or noninvasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring post-decompressive craniectomy (DC) has been a continuous matter of debate. Accordingly, this meta-analysis aims to examine the existing evidence of both approaches and compare their impact among patients undergoing DC, guiding clinical decision-making in the management of elevated ICP. The databases used were Pubmed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase. Inclusion criteria included: (1) English studies; (2) randomized and nonrandomized studies; (3) reporting on invasive OR noninvasive ICP monitoring after DC; (4) with at least one of the outcomes of interest: incidence of mortality, new cerebral hemorrhages, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The study followed the Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Thirty-six studies were included in this meta-analysis, resulting in a sample of 1624 patients. One thousand two hundred eighty-six underwent invasive monitoring, and 338 underwent noninvasive methods. In the invasive group, a mortality rate of 17% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12%-22%), a good outcome rate of 58% (95% CI: 38%-49%), a poor outcome rate of 42% (95% CI: 21%-62%), and an overall incidence of new hemorrhages of 4% (95% CI: 0%-8%) were found. Whereas in the noninvasive sample, a mortality rate of 20% (95% CI: 15%-26%) and a good outcome rate of 38% (95% CI: 25%-52%) were obtained. It seems that the effectiveness of invasive and noninvasive ICP monitoring methods are comparable in post-DC patients. While invasive monitoring remains gold standard, noninvasive methods offer a safer and cost-effective alternative, potentially improving post-DC patient care, and can mostly be used simultaneously with invasive methods.
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OBJECTIVE: To understand the extent and type of evidence on diagnosis, clinical presentation, management, outcomes, and costs of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in the early stages in Latin America. METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews was followed. Extracted data included study aim, country, methodology, population characteristics, and outcome measures. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were grouped into 5 categories: associated lesions and intensive care unit (ICU); treatment; complications; neurologic outcomes; length of hospital stay (LOS), costs, and mortality. Studies were from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and one included several countries. A significant number of patients had associated injuries, little information was found about ICU management. A high variability existed in the surgical and conservative management rate. Some medical therapies were found to be used that could partially alleviate the neurologic symptoms. Most complications were preventable, not always directly related to the event, and could be associated with increased mortality. LOS could be related to complications and to the type of interventions required, which, in turn, could increase the in-hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS: Information about the management of traumatic spinal cord injury in the early stages in Latin America is not exhaustive and high variability exists among the studies in all the examined sections. Nevertheless, many patients are polytraumatized, and little is known about ICU requirement. Treatment is heterogeneous and the complications are in many cases preventable conditions that can increase LOS, costs, and mortality.
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Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal , Traumatismos Vertebrales , Humanos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , América Latina/epidemiología , Tiempo de Internación , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones , Traumatismos Vertebrales/complicacionesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Ultrasound of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) has been used as a non-invasive and cost-effective bedside alternative to invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. However, ONSD time-lapse behavior in intracranial hypertension (ICH) and its relief by means of either saline infusion or surgery are still unknown. The objective of this study was to correlate intracranial pressure (ICP) and ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath (ONS) in an experimental animal model of ICH and determine the interval needed for ONSD to return to baseline levels. METHODS: An experimental study was conducted on 30 pigs. ONSD was evaluated by ultrasound at different ICPs generated by intracranial balloon inflation, saline infusion, and balloon deflation, and measured using an intraventricular catheter. RESULTS: All variables obtained by ONS ultrasonography such as left, right, and average ONSD (AON) were statistically significant to estimate the ICP value. ONSD changed immediately after balloon inflation and returned to baseline after an average delay of 30 min after balloon deflation (p = 0.016). No statistical significance was observed in the ICP and ONSD values with hypertonic saline infusion. In this swine model, ICP and ONSD showed linear correlation and ICP could be estimated using the formula: -80.5 + 238.2 × AON. CONCLUSION: In the present study, ultrasound to measure ONSD showed a linear correlation with ICP, although a short delay in returning to baseline levels was observed in the case of sudden ICH relief.
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Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Hipertensión Intracraneal/diagnóstico por imagen , Nervio Óptico/diagnóstico por imagen , Ultrasonografía/métodos , Animales , Hipertensión Intracraneal/fisiopatología , Presión Intracraneal/fisiología , Monitoreo Fisiológico/métodos , Nervio Óptico/fisiología , Estudios Prospectivos , PorcinosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Neurotrauma centers have developed management protocols on the basis of evidence obtained from literature analysis and institutional experience. This article reviews our institutional experience in the management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at Simòn Bolivar Hospital, the district trauma center for Bogotá's north zone. METHODS: This is a case control study comparing a group of patients (n: 16) operated for severe TBI between January 2002 and July 2004 according to an institutional management protocol characterized by an early decompressive craniectomy (DC) approach versus a historical control group (n: 20) managed before the implementation of such protocol. Mortality and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at 6 months were used as the main outcome variables. RESULTS: An early DC protocol implemented within 12 hours from injury in 16 patients with severe isolated TBI and a Marshall score between III or IV was associated with a lesser mortality than the conventional approach with ventriculostomy and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) management alone. The GOS was significantly better in the DC group (p=0.0002) than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The use of an early DC protocol for severe TBI patients (Glasgow Coma Scale <9) had a significantly improved outcome compared with the conventional approach with ventriculostomy and ICU management in Simòn Bolivar Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia.
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Lesiones Encefálicas/mortalidad , Lesiones Encefálicas/cirugía , Craneotomía/métodos , Descompresión Quirúrgica/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Niño , Preescolar , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Femenino , Escala de Consecuencias de Glasgow , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Humanos , Lactante , Hipertensión Intracraneal/mortalidad , Hipertensión Intracraneal/cirugía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Tasa de Supervivencia , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the largest cause of death and disability of persons under 45 years old, worldwide. Independent of the distribution, outcomes such as disability are associated with huge societal costs. The heterogeneity of TBI and its complicated biological response have helped clarify the limitations of current pharmacological approaches to TBI management. Five decades of effort have made some strides in reducing TBI mortality but little progress has been made to mitigate TBI-induced disability. Lessons learned from the failure of numerous randomized clinical trials and the inability to scale up results from single center clinical trials with neuroprotective agents led to the formation of organizations such as the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) Network, and international collaborative comparative effectiveness research (CER) to re-orient TBI clinical research. With initiatives such as TRACK-TBI, generating rich and comprehensive human datasets with demographic, clinical, genomic, proteomic, imaging, and detailed outcome data across multiple time points has become the focus of the field in the United States (US). In addition, government institutions such as the US Department of Defense are investing in groups such as Operation Brain Trauma Therapy (OBTT), a multicenter, pre-clinical drug-screening consortium to address the barriers in translation. The consensus from such efforts including "The Lancet Neurology Commission" and current literature is that unmitigated cell death processes, incomplete debris clearance, aberrant neurotoxic immune, and glia cell response induce progressive tissue loss and spatiotemporal magnification of primary TBI. Our analysis suggests that the focus of neuroprotection research needs to shift from protecting dying and injured neurons at acute time points to modulating the aberrant glial response in sub-acute and chronic time points. One unexpected agent with neuroprotective properties that shows promise is transplantation of neural stem cells. In this review we present (i) a short survey of TBI epidemiology and summary of current care, (ii) findings of past neuroprotective clinical trials and possible reasons for failure based upon insights from human and preclinical TBI pathophysiology studies, including our group's inflammation-centered approach, (iii) the unmet need of TBI and unproven treatments and lastly, (iv) present evidence to support the rationale for sub-acute neural stem cell therapy to mediate enduring neuroprotection.
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Introduction. Patient safety is an important topic. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perceived versus observed patient safety measures (PSM) in critically ill patients in a teaching hospital in Latin America. Materials and Methods. The level of perceived patient safety was evaluated with the patient safety hospital survey. Three months later, a qualitative study was conducted, including video recording of procedures, graded according to adherence to PSM. Levels of adherence were scored during patient mobilization (PM), placement of central catheters (PCC), other invasive procedures (OIP), infection control (IC), and endotracheal intubation (ETI). Results. The perceived adherence of PSM in the prestudy survey was considered fair by 89.1% of the ICU staff. After the survey, 829 ICU procedures were video-recorded. Mean observed adherence for fair patient safety measures was 20.8%. Perceived adherence was higher than the real patient safety protocol measures observed in the videos. Conclusion. Perception of PSM was higher than observed in the management of critically ill patients in a teaching hospital in southern Colombia.
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ABSTRACT Introduction: The complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare condition characterized by inflammatory, vasomotor and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Its clinical presentation can be subacute, acute or chronic, and may have severe effects on the patient's quality of life. Case description: 21-year-old female patient with trauma in the lumbosacral region associated with pain and functional limitation. Diagnostic imaging showed sacrococcygeal dislocation with subsequent inflammatory and acute and chronic autonomic symptoms that were treated medically and surgically. The patient responded to treatment with long-term improvement of the symptoms. Discussion: In this case, CRPS occurred after trauma and caused subacute symptoms that became even more acute until reaching a chronic presentation. Inflammation, vasomotor dysfunction and CNS involvement made this case a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Conclusion: CRPS is a rare disease that is difficult to diagnose. However, diagnosis should be timely in order to initiate personalized treatment, since this disease considerably affects the patient's quality of life.
RESUMEN Introducción. El síndrome doloroso regional complejo (SDRC) es una patología poco frecuente que se caracteriza por causar compromiso a nivel inflamatorio, vasomotor y del sistema nervioso central (SNC). Su presentación clínica puede ser subaguda, aguda o crónica y puede afectar considerablemente la calidad de vida del paciente. Presentación del caso. Paciente femenina de 21 años con trauma en región lumbosacra asociado a dolor y limitación funcional, a quien se le practicaron imágenes diagnosticas que evidenciaron luxofractura sacrococcígea con posterior presencia de síntomas inflamatorios y autonómicos (agudos y crónicos) que se trataron con medicamentos y cirugía. La paciente respondió al tratamiento con mejoría de la sintomatología a largo plazo. Discusión. El SDRC se presentó posterior a un traumatismo y ocasionó sintomatología subaguda que se agudizó hasta llegar a la presentación crónica de la enfermedad. La inflamación, la disfunción vasomotora y el compromiso del SNC hacen de este caso un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico multidisciplinario. Conclusión. El SDRC es una patología poco frecuente y de difícil diagnóstico; sin embrago, es necesario diagnosticarlo de forma oportuna para poder iniciar un tratamiento personalizado, ya que es una enfermedad que compromete considerablemente la calidad de vida del paciente.