Glycemic Gap Predicts in-Hospital Mortality in Diabetic Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship between admission hyperglycemia and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) outcome remains controversial. Glycemic gap (GG) is a superior indicator of glucose homeostatic response to physical stress compared to admission glucose levels. We aimed to evaluate the association between GG and in-hospital mortality in ICH. METHODS: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients hospitalized for spontaneous ICH at the 2 healthcare systems in the Twin Cities area, MN, between January 2008 and December 2017. Patients without glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test or those admitted beyond 24 hours post-ICH were excluded. Demographics, medical history, admission tests, and computed tomography data were recorded. GG was computed using admission glucose level minus HbA1c-derived average glucose. The association between GG and time to in-hospital mortality was evaluated by Cox regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with the DeLong test was used to evaluate the ability of GG to predict in-hospital death. RESULTS: Among 345 included subjects, 63 (25.7%) died during the hospital stay. Compared with survivors, non-survivors presented with a lower Glasgow coma scale score, larger hematoma volume, and higher white blood cells count, glucose, and GG levels at admission (p<0.001). GG remained an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality after adjusting for known ICH outcome predictors and potential confounders [adjusted hazard ratio: 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.18, p = 0.018]. GG showed a good discriminative power (area under the ROC curve: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.68-0.82) in predicting in-hospital death and performed better than admission glucose levels in diabetic patients (p = 0.030 for DeLong test). CONCLUSIONS: Admission GG is associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality and can potentially represent a useful prognostic biomarker for ICH patients with diabetes.

Stroke Care Trends During COVID-19 Pandemic in Zanjan Province, Iran. From the CASCADE Initiative: Statistical Analysis Plan and Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems and this may affect stroke care and outcomes. This study examines the changes in stroke epidemiology and care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zanjan Province, Iran. METHODS: This study is part of the CASCADE international initiative. From February 18, 2019, to July 18, 2020, we followed ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke hospitalization rates and outcomes in Valiasr Hospital, Zanjan, Iran. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model and an interrupted time series analysis (ITS) to identify changes in stroke hospitalization rate, baseline stroke severity [measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)], disability [measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS)], presentation time (last seen normal to hospital presentation), thrombolytic therapy rate, median door-to-needle time, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality. We compared in-hospital mortality between study periods using Cox-regression model. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,026 stroke patients were hospitalized. Stroke hospitalization rates per 100,000 population decreased from 68.09 before the pandemic to 44.50 during the pandemic, with a significant decline in both Bayesian [Beta: -1.034; Standard Error (SE): 0.22, 95% CrI: -1.48, -0.59] and ITS analysis (estimate: -1.03, SE = 0.24, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, we observed lower admission rates for patients with mild (NIHSS < 5) ischemic stroke (p < 0.0001). Although, the presentation time and door-to-needle time did not change during the pandemic, a lower proportion of patients received thrombolysis (-10.1%; p = 0.004). We did not see significant changes in admission rate to the stroke unit and in-hospital mortality rate; however, disability at discharge increased (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In Zanjan, Iran, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted stroke outcomes and altered the delivery of stroke care. Observed lower admission rates for milder stroke may possibly be due to fear of exposure related to COVID-19. The decrease in patients treated with thrombolysis and the increased disability at discharge may indicate changes in the delivery of stroke care and increased pressure on existing stroke acute and subacute services. The results of this research will contribute to a similar analysis of the larger CASCADE dataset in order to confirm findings at a global scale and improve measures to ensure the best quality of care for stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and NLRP3 Inflammasome: A Disturbing Duo in Atherosclerosis, Inflammation and Atherothrombosis.

Atherosclerosis is the formation of plaque within arteries due to overt assemblage of fats, cholesterol and fibrous material causing a blockage of the free flow of blood leading to ischemia. It is harshly impinging on health statistics worldwide because of being principal cause of high morbidity and mortality for several diseases including rheumatological, heart and brain disorders. Atherosclerosis is perpetuated by pro-inflammatory and exacerbated by pro-coagulatory mediators. Besides several other pathways, the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contribute significantly to the initiation and propagation of atherosclerotic plaque for its worst outcomes. The present review highlights the contribution of these two disturbing processes in atherosclerosis, inflammation and atherothrombosis in their individual as well as collaborative manner.

Antibiotic treatment for pneumonia complicating stroke: Recommendations from the pneumonia in stroke consensus (PISCES) group.

PURPOSE: The microbiological aetiology of pneumonia complicating stroke is poorly characterised. In this second Pneumonia in Stroke ConsEnsuS statement, we propose a standardised approach to empirical antibiotic therapy in pneumonia complicating stroke, based on likely microbiological aetiology, to improve antibiotic stewardship. METHODS: Systematic literature searches of multiple databases were undertaken. An evidence review and a round of consensus consultation were completed prior to a final multi-disciplinary consensus meeting in September 2017, held in Barcelona, Spain. Consensus was approached using a modified Delphi technique and defined a priori as 75% agreement between the consensus group members.Findings: No randomised trials to guide antibiotic treatment of pneumonia complicating stroke were identified. Consensus was reached for the following: (1) Stroke-associated pneumonia may be caused by organisms associated with either community-acquired or hospital-acquired pneumonia; (2) Treatment for early stroke-associated pneumonia (<72 h of stroke onset) should cover community-acquired pneumonia organisms; (3) Treatment for late stroke-associated pneumonia (≥72 h and within seven days of stroke onset) should cover community-acquired pneumonia organisms plus coliforms +/- Pseudomonas spp. if risk factors; (4) No additional antimicrobial cover is required for patients with dysphagia or aspiration; (5) Pneumonia occurring after seven days from stroke onset should be treated as for hospital-acquired pneumonia; (6) Treatment should continue for at least seven days for each of these scenarios. DISCUSSION: Consensus recommendations for antibiotic treatment of the spectrum of pneumonia complicating stroke are proposed. However, there was limited evidence available to formulate consensus on choice of specific antibiotic class for pneumonia complicating stroke. CONCLUSION: Further studies are required to inform evidence-based treatment of stroke-associated pneumonia including randomised trials of antibiotics and validation of candidate biomarkers.

Side Effects of Indomethacin in Refractory Post-traumatic Intracranial Hypertension: A comprehensive case study and review.

Intracranial hypertension (IH) is one of the final pathways of acute brain injury. In severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), it independently predicts poor outcomes. Its control represents a key aspect of the management. Lack of response to conventional therapies signals a state of ''refractory IH'', with an associated mortality rate of 80-100%. In such cases, hypothermia, barbiturates at high doses (BBT), decompressive craniectomy (DC), and extreme hyperventilation are utilized. However, none of them has proven efficacy. Indomethacin (INDO), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, may be an option with an acceptable safety profile and easy to administer. Reported series showed encouraging results. We herein present a case of refractory IH after sTBI in which INDO was utilized. In refractory IH, INDO can help to decrease ICP and improve cerebral perfusion pressure. However, it requires administration under strict protocol since it's not free of adverse effects after withdrawal.

Clinical risk scores for predicting stroke-associated pneumonia: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Several risk stratification scores for predicting stroke-associated pneumonia have been derived. We aimed to evaluate the performance and clinical usefulness of such scores for predicting stroke-associated pneumonia. METHOD: A systematic literature review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, with application of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy-2 tool. Published studies of hospitalised adults with ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, or both, which derived and validated an integer-based clinical risk score, or externally validated an existing score to predict occurrence of stroke-associated pneumonia, were considered and independently screened for inclusion by two reviewers. FINDINGS: We identified nine scores, from eight derivation cohorts. Age was a component of all scores, and the NIHSS score in all except one. Six scores were internally validated and five scores were externally validated. The A2DS2 score (Age, Atrial fibrillation, Dysphagia, Severity [NIHSS], Sex) was the most externally validated in 8 independent cohorts. Performance measures were reported for eight scores. Discrimination tended to be more variable in the external validation cohorts (C statistic 0.67-0.83) than the derivation cohorts (C statistic 0.74-0.85). DISCUSSION: Overall, discrimination and calibration were similar between the different scores. No study evaluated influence on clinical decision making or prognosis. CONCLUSION: The clinical prediction scores varied in their simplicity of use and were comparable in performance. Utility of such scores for preventive intervention trials and in clinical practice remains uncertain and requires further study.

The myasthenic patient in crisis: an update of the management in Neurointensive Care Unit / Pacientes miastenicos em crise: uma melhora de conduta na unidade de terapia intensiva

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular transmission leading to generalized or localized muscle weakness due most frequently to the presence of autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors in the postsynaptic motor end-plate. Myasthenic crisis (MC) is a complication of MG characterized by worsening muscle weakness, resulting in respiratory failure that requires intubation and mechanical ventilation. It also includes postsurgical patients, in whom exacerbation of muscle weakness from MG causes a delay in extubation. MC is a very important, serious, and reversible neurological emergency that affects 20–30% of the myasthenic patients, usually within the first year of illness and maybe the debut form of the disease. Most patients have a predisposing factor that triggers the crisis, generally an infection of the respiratory tract. Immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, and steroids are the cornerstones of immunotherapy. Today with the modern neurocritical care, mortality rate of MC is less than 5%.

Miastenia grave (MG) é um distúbio autoimune que afeta principalmente a transmissão neuromuscular, levando a fraqueza muscular generalizada ou localizada. É devida mais frequentemente à presença de auto-anticorpos anti-receptores de acetilcolina na fenda pós-sináptica da placa motora. A crise miastênica (CM) é uma complicação da MG caracterizada por piora da fraqueza muscular, resultando en falência respiratória, o que requer entubação endotraqueal e ventilação mecânica. Isto ocorre também em pacientes pós-cirúrgicos, em que há piora da fraqueza muscular devido à MG, causando um atraso na extubação. MC é uma emergência neurológica importante, séria e reversível que afeta 20–30% dos pacientes miastênicos, usualmente duranteo primeiro ano de enfermidade, podendo a crise miastênica ser a manifestação inicial da MG. A maioria dos pacientes tem fatores predisponentes que desencadeiam a crise, geralmente uma infecção do trato respiratório. Imunoglobulina, plasmaférese e esteróides são a pedra angular da imunoterapia. Hoje, dentro da terapia neurocrítica, a taxa de mortalidade na CM é menor que 5%.