Immunonutrition with Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Severe TBI: Retrospective Analysis of Patient Characteristics and Outcomes.

Early evidence-based medical interventions to improve patient outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are lacking. In patients admitted to the ICU after TBI, optimization of nutrition is an emerging field of interest. Specialized enteral nutrition (EN) formulas that include immunonutrition containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been developed and are used for their proposed anti-inflammatory and proimmune properties; however, their use has not been rigorously studied in human TBI populations. A single-center, retrospective, descriptive observational study was conducted at the LAC + USC Medical Center. Patients with severe TBI (sTBI, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8) who remained in the ICU for ≥2 weeks and received EN were identified between 2017 and 2022 using the institutional trauma registry. Those who received immunonutrition formulas containing n-3 PUFAs were compared with those who received standard, polymeric EN with regard to baseline characteristics, clinical markers of inflammation and immune function, and short-term clinical outcomes. A total of 151 patients with sTBI were analyzed. Those who received immunonutrition with n-3 PUFA supplementation were more likely to be male, younger, Hispanic/Latinx, and have polytrauma needing non-central nervous system surgery. No differences in clinical markers of inflammation or infection rate were found. In multivariate regression analysis, immunonutrition was associated with reduced hospital length of stay (LOS). ICU LOS was also reduced in the subgroup of patients with polytrauma and TBI. This study identifies important differences in patient characteristics and outcomes associated with the EN formula prescribed. Study results can directly inform a prospective pragmatic study of immunonutrition with n-3 PUFA supplementation aimed to confirm the biomechanistic and clinical benefits of the intervention.

Immunonutrition with Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Severe TBI: Retrospective Analysis of Patient Characteristics and Outcomes.

Background: Early evidence-based medical interventions to improve patient outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are lacking. In patients admitted to the ICU after TBI, optimization of nutrition is an emerging field of interest. Specialized enteral nutrition (EN) formulas that include immunonutrition containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been developed and are used for their proposed anti-inflammatory and pro-immune properties; however, their use has not been rigorously studied in human TBI populations. Methods: A single-center, retrospective, descriptive observational study was conducted at LAC + USC Medical Center. Patients with severe TBI (sTBI, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8) who remained in the ICU for ≥ 2 weeks and received EN were identified between 2017 and 2022 using the institutional trauma registry. Those who received immunonutrition formulas containing n-3 PUFAs were compared to those who received standard, polymeric EN in regard to baseline characteristics, clinical markers of inflammation and immune function, and short-term clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 151 patients with sTBI were analyzed. Those who received immunonutrition with n-3 PUFA supplementation were more likely to be male, younger, Hispanic/Latinx, and have polytrauma needing non-central nervous system surgery. No differences in clinical markers of inflammation or infection rate were found. In multivariate regression analysis, immunonutrition was associated with reduced hospital length of stay (LOS). ICU LOS was also reduced in the subgroup of patients with polytrauma and TBI. Conclusion: This study identifies important differences in patient characteristics and outcomes associated with the EN formula prescribed. Study results can directly inform a prospective pragmatic study of immunonutrition with n-3 PUFA supplementation aimed to confirm the biomechanistic and clinical benefits of the intervention.

Combined open revascularization and endovascular treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms: case series.

Background and purpose: The treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms can be challenging with stand-alone open or endovascular techniques, particularly after rupture. A combined open and endovascular strategy can potentially limit the risk of extensive dissections with open-only techniques, and allow for aggressive definitive endovascular treatments with minimized downstream ischemic risk. Materials and methods: Retrospective, single-institution review of consecutive patients undergoing combined open revascularization and endovascular embolization/occlusion for complex intracranial aneurysms from 1/2016 to 6/2022. Results: Ten patients (4 male [40%]; mean age 51.9 ± 8.7 years) underwent combined open revascularization and endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The majority of aneurysms, 9/10 (90%), were ruptured and 8/10 (80%) were fusiform in morphology. Aneurysms of the posterior circulation represented 8/10 (80%) of the cases (vertebral artery [VA] involving the posterior inferior cerebellar artery [PICA] origin, proximal PICA or anterior inferior cerebellar artery/PICA complex, or proximal posterior cerebral artery). Revascularization strategies included intracranial-to-intracranial (IC-IC; 7/10 [70%]) and extracranial-to-intracranial (EC-IC; 3/10 [30%]) constructs, with 100% postoperative patency. Initial endovascular procedures (consisting of aneurysm/vessel sacrifice in 9/10 patients) were performed early after surgery (0.7 ± 1.5 days). In one patient, secondary endovascular vessel sacrifice was performed after an initial sub-occlusive embolization. Treatment related strokes were diagnosed in 3/10 patients (30%), largely from involved or nearby perforators. All bypasses with follow-up were patent (median 14.0, range 4-72 months). Good outcomes (defined as a Glasgow Outcomes Scale ≥4 and modified Rankin Scale ≤2) occurred in 6/10 patients (60%). Conclusion: A variety of complex aneurysms not amenable to stand-alone open or endovascular techniques can be successfully treated with combined open and endovascular approaches. Recognition and preservation of perforators is critical to treatment success.

Anatomic Considerations Guiding Single Versus Multiportal Endoscopic Approaches for Resection of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: Cases Series With Graded Multicorridor Resections.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) are characterized by expansive and destructive growth, often invading the midline/paranasal sinuses, pterygopalatine fossa, and infratemporal fossa and can extend into the orbit, cavernous sinus, or intracranially. OBJECTIVE: To evaluete the major benefits of the extended endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for JNA resection as compared with more traditional and invasive transpalatal and transfacial approaches. When JNAs extend into lateral anatomic compartments, the optimal operative trajectory often requires additional approach strategies or surgical staging. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 8 cases of large JNAs arising in symptomatic adolescent boys (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Stages II, III, and V) and discuss anatomic and tumor considerations guiding the decision of a pure EEA vs combined EEA and sublabial transmaxillary approach (Caldwell-Luc). RESULTS: A pure extended EEA was used in 6 JNA cases (UPMC Stages II-III); a multiportal EEA + Caldwell-Luc maxillotomy was used in 2 cases. One of the 2 patients (UPMC Stage V) previously treated with multiportal EEA + Caldwell-Luc maxillotomy underwent staged left temporal/transzygomatic craniotomy, obtaining gross total resection. Seven patients ultimately underwent complete removal without recurrence. One patient with a small residual JNA (UPMC II) underwent stereotactic radiosurgery without progression to date. CONCLUSION: JNAs with lateral extension into the infratemporal fossa often benefited from additional lateral exposure using a Caldwell-Luc maxillotomy. Cases with significant skull base and/or dural involvement may undergo staged surgical treatment; temporalis + transzygomatic craniotomy is often useful for second-stage approaches for residual tumor in these lateral infratemporal or intracranial regions. SRS should be considered for residual tumor if additional surgery is not warranted.

Frequency, predictors, and outcomes of readmission to index versus non-index hospitals after mechanical thrombectomy in patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Stroke systems of care employ a hub-and-spoke model, with fewer centers performing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) compared with stroke-receiving centers, where a higher number offer high-level, centralized treatment to a large number of patients. OBJECTIVE: To characterize rates and outcomes of readmission to index and non-index hospitals for patients with ischemic stroke who underwent MT. METHODS: This study leveraged a population-based, nationally representative sample of patients with stroke undergoing MT from the Nationwide Readmissions Database between 2010 and 2014. Descriptive, logistic regression analyses, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were carried out to determine patient- and hospital-level factors, mortality, complications, and subsequent readmissions associated with index and non-index hospitals' 90-day readmissions. RESULTS: In the study, 2111 patients with a stroke were treated with MT, of whom 534 were readmitted within 90 days. The most common reasons for readmission were: septicemia (5.9%), atrial fibrillation (4.8%), and cerebral artery occlusion with infarct (4.8%). Among readmitted patients, 387 (74%) were readmitted to index and 136 (26%) to non-index hospitals. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, non-index hospital readmission was not independently associated with major complications (p=0.09), mortality (p=0.34), neurological complications (p=0.47), or second readmission (p=0.92). CONCLUSION: One-quarter of patients with a stroke treated with MT were readmitted within 90 days, and one quarter of these patients were readmitted to non-index hospitals. Readmission to a non-index hospital was not associated with mortality or increased complication rates. In a hub-and-spoke model it is important that follow-up care for a specialized procedure can be performed effectively at a vast number of non-index hospitals covering a large geographic area.

Increased Hospital Surgical Volume Reduces Rate of 30- and 90-Day Readmission After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmissions are commonly linked to elevated health care costs, with significant financial incentive introduced by the Affordable Care Act to reduce readmissions. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between patient, hospital, and payer factors with national rate of readmission in acoustic neuroma surgery. METHODS: All adult inpatients undergoing surgery for acoustic neuroma in the newly introduced Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2013 to 2014 were included. We identified readmissions for any cause with a primary diagnosis of neurological, surgical, or systemic complication within 30- and 90-d after undergoing acoustic neuroma surgery. Multivariable models were employed to identify patient, hospital, and administrative factors associated with readmission. Hospital volume was measured as the number of cases per year. RESULTS: We included patients representing a weighted estimate of 4890 admissions for acoustic neuroma surgery in 2013 and 2014, with 355 30-d (7.7%) and 341 90-d (9.1%) readmissions. After controlling for patient, hospital, and payer factors, procedural volume was significantly associated with 30-d readmission rate (OR [odds ratio] 0.992, p = 0.03), and 90-d readmission rate (OR 0.994, p = 0.047). The most common diagnoses during readmission in both 30- and 90-d cohorts included general central nervous system complications/deficits, hydrocephalus, infection, and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (rhinorrhea/otorrhea). CONCLUSION: After controlling for patient, hospital, and payer factors, increased procedural volume is associated with decreased 30- and 90-d readmission rate for acoustic neuroma surgery. Future studies seeking to improve outcomes and reduce cost in acoustic neuroma surgery may seek to further evaluate the role of hospital procedural volume and experience.

Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism After Nonemergent Craniotomy: A Nationwide Readmission Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is responsible for many hospital readmissions each year, particularly among postsurgical cohorts. Because early and indiscriminate VTE prophylaxis carries catastrophic consequences in postcraniotomy cohorts, identifying factors associated with a high risk for thromboembolic complications is important for guiding postoperative management. OBJECTIVE: To determine VTE incidence in patients undergoing nonemergent craniotomy and to evaluate for factors that predict 30-day and 90-day readmission with VTE. METHODS: The 2010-2014 cohorts of the Nationwide Readmissions Database were used to generate a large heterogeneous craniotomy sample. RESULTS: There were 89,450 nonemergent craniotomies that met inclusion criteria. Within 30 days, 1513 patients (1.69%) were readmitted with VTE diagnoses; among them, 678 (44.8%) had a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis alone, 450 (29.7%) had pulmonary embolism alone, and 385 (25.4%) had both. The corresponding 30-day deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism incidences were 1.19% and 0.93%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, several factors were significantly associated with VTE readmission, namely, craniotomy for tumor, corticosteroids, advanced age, greater length of stay, and discharge to institutional care. CONCLUSIONS: Craniotomies for tumor, corticosteroids, advanced age, prolonged length of stay, and discharge to institutional care are significant predictors of VTE readmission. The implication of steroids, coupled with their ubiquity in neurosurgery, makes them a potentially modifiable risk factor and a prime target for VTE reduction in craniotomy cohorts. Furthermore, the fact that dose is proportional to VTE risk in the literature suggests that careful consideration should be given toward decreasing regimens in situations in which use of a lower dose might prove equally sufficient.

Botulinum toxin to improve vessel graft patency in cerebral revascularization surgery: report of 3 cases.

Surgical revascularization continues to play an important role in the management of complex intracranial aneurysms and ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Graft spasm is a common complication of bypass procedures and can result in ischemia or graft thrombosis. The authors here report on the first clinical use of botulinum toxin to prevent graft spasm following extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass. This technique was used in 3 EC-IC bypass surgeries, 2 for symptomatic carotid artery occlusions and 1 for a ruptured basilar tip aneurysm. In all 3 cases, the harvested graft was treated ex vivo with botulinum toxin before the anastomosis was performed. Post-bypass vascular imaging demonstrated patency and the absence of spasm in all grafts. Histopathological analyses of treated vessels did not show any immediate endothelial or vessel wall damage. Postoperative angiograms were without graft spasm in all cases. Botulinum toxin may be a reasonable option for preventing graft spasm and maintaining patency in cerebral revascularization procedures.

In situ administration of abciximab for thrombus resolution during intracranial bypass surgery: case report.

Abciximab is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist that functions to prevent platelet aggregation, thus reducing thrombus initiation and propagation. It has been widely used during percutaneous endovascular interventions, such as aneurysm coil embolization, angioplasty, atherectomy, and stent placement, as both a preventative and a salvage therapy. The use of abciximab in cardiac and neurosurgical procedures has been associated with a reduced incidence of ischemic complications and a decreased need for repeated intervention. In these settings, abciximab has been delivered transarterially via a microcatheter or infused intravenously for systemic administration. The authors describe novel in situ delivery of abciximab as an agent to dissolve "white clots," which are composed primarily of platelets, during an intracranial superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass in a 28-year-old woman with severe intracranial occlusive disease. Abciximab was able to resolve multiple platelet-based clots after unsuccessful attempts with conventional clot dispersal techniques, such as heparinized saline, tissue plasminogen activator, mechanical passage of a wire through the vessel lumen, and multiple takedowns and re-anastomosis. After abciximab was administered, patency was demonstrated intraoperatively using indocyanine green dye and confirmed postoperatively at 1 and 10 months via CT angiography. The in situ use of abciximab as an agent to disperse a thrombus during intracranial bypass surgery is novel and has not previously been described in the literature, and serves as an additional tool during intracranial vessel bypass surgery.

Angiographic and clinical outcomes of balloon remodeling versus unassisted coil embolization in the ruptured aneurysm cohort of the GEL THE NEC study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: GEL THE NEC (GTN) was a multicenter prospective registry developed to assess the safety and efficacy of HydroSoft coils in treating intracranial aneurysms. We compared the angiographic and clinical outcomes of aneurysms treated with balloon assisted coil embolization (BACE) versus unassisted coil embolization (CE) in the ruptured aneurysm cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GTN was performed at 27 centers in five countries. Patients aged 21-90 years with a ruptured aneurysm 3-15 mm in size were eligible for enrollment. We analyzed demographics/comorbidities, aneurysm location, and geometry, including maximum diameter, neck size, and dome to neck ratio, immediate and long term angiographic outcomes (graded by an independent core laboratory using the modified Raymond Scale), and procedure related adverse events. Angiographic and clinical outcomes were studied using χ2and t tests. RESULTS: Of the 599 patients in the GTN, 194 met the inclusion criteria. 84 were treated with BACE and 110 with CE. There were more prior smokers in the BACE group (p=0.01). The BACE group also had more vertebrobasilar aneurysms (p=0.006) and a larger mean neck size (p=0.02). More aneurysms were immediately completely occluded in the BACE group (p=0.02) Procedure- related major morbidity and mortality were no different between the techniques (p=0.4 and p=1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective ruptured aneurysm cohort from the GTN, BACE resulted in greater occlusion rates compared with unassisted CE with similar morbi-mortality.

GEL THE NEC: a prospective registry evaluating the safety, ease of use, and efficacy of the HydroSoft coil as a finishing device.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The HydroSoft coil was developed as a finishing coil, ideally to be placed along the aneurysm neck to enhance intracranial aneurysm healing. The GEL THE NEC (Gaining Efficacy Long Term: Hydrosoft, an Emerging, New, Embolic Coil) multicenter registry was developed to assess the safety and efficacy of HydroSoft coils in treating intracranial aneurysms. We report angiographic and clinical results of this prospective registry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GEL THE NEC was performed at 27 centers in five countries. Patients aged 21-90 years with a ruptured or unruptured aneurysm 3-15 mm in size were eligible for enrollment. The following variables were obtained: demographics/comorbidities, aneurysm geometry, adjunctive devices used, proportion of patients in whom HydroSoft coils were successfully placed, and long-term angiographic outcomes (graded by an independent core laboratory using the Modified Raymond Scale), and procedure-related adverse events. Predictors of good angiographic outcome were studied using χ2 and t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 599 patients with 599 aneurysms were included in this study. HydroSoft coils were successfully deployed in 577 (96.4%) patients. Procedure-related major morbidity and mortality were 0.5% (3/599) and 1.3% (8/599), respectively. The most common perioperative complications were iatrogenic vasospasm (30/599, 5.0%), thromboemboli (27/599, 4.5%), and aneurysm perforation (16/599, 2.7%). At last angiographic follow-up (mean 9.0±6.3 months), the complete occlusion rate was 63.2% (280/442) and near complete occlusion rate was 25.2% (107/442). The core laboratory read recanalization rate was 10.8% (46/425) and the retreatment rate was 3.4% (20/599). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with HydroSoft coils resulted in complete/near complete occlusion rates of 88% and a major complication rate of 1.8%. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01000675.

Intraoperative Imaging for Vascular Lesions.

Neurovascular surgery is a broad and challenging, yet exciting field within neurologic surgery. The neurovascular surgeon must be meticulous; because the brain and spinal cord are unforgiving to ischemic insults. Along with the pressures of this demanding subspecialty comes the potential to help patients recover from potentially devastating pathology to go on and lead normal, healthy lives. Several intraoperative imaging modalities are available to help maximize treatment success while reducing risk. This article reviews each of these modalities, including digital subtraction angiography, fluorescence angiography, Doppler ultrasonography, laser Doppler, laser speckle contrast imaging, neuronavigation, and neuroendoscopy.

Evaluation of time to aneurysm treatment following subarachnoid hemorrhage: comparison of patients treated with clipping versus coiling.

INTRODUCTION: Prior studies of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have shown that treatment at teaching institutions and decreased time to surgery are factors that correlate with improved patient outcome. We aimed to individually evaluate the effect of teaching institution treatment on rates of surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. METHODS: Patients with SAH treated by either aneurysm clipping or coiling between 2002 and 2010 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were analyzed. Time to aneurysm treatment was dichotomized to >3 days or ≤3 days and evaluated by multivariable logistic regression modeling, controlling for patient and hospital covariates. Identified predictors for prolonged time to procedure were compared between the clipping and coiling populations. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2010 there were 90 684 SAH admissions with subsequent clipping and coiling procedures. Treatment at teaching hospitals was associated with faster time to clipping (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.80, p=0.001) but not coiling procedures (p=0.66). Likewise, older age (≥80 years) was associated with delays to clipping (p<0.05) but not coiling procedures (p>0.05). Patients with delayed time to treatment were associated with increased rates of moderate to severe neurological disability. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients with SAH and those treated at non-teaching hospitals were more likely to have delays to aneurysm clipping procedures. These associations were unique to open surgery as age and hospital teaching status did not affect time to coiling procedures.

Theoretical Basis of Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

Despite a myriad of medical and surgical treatments for epilepsy developed over the past few decades, a large subset of patients remains refractory to treatment. Over this time period, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has become an accepted and viable treatment modality for this population. Since the earliest report of VNS implantation in 1988, tens of thousands of patients worldwide have received VNS therapy, and >100,000 patient-years of experience have been accrued. The mechanisms underlying the response to VNS therapy continue to be elucidated. As understanding of the VNS mechanisms of action continues to grow, more pathologies will arise as potential treatment indications. Furthermore, current treatment populations with refractory epilepsy, depression, and inflammatory diseases may enjoy improved response to stimulation.

The importance of preoperative diagnosis of blister aneurysms.

We describe a series of 14 surgical blister aneurysm (BA) patients and compare outcomes in those with known cerebral BA to those lacking preoperative BA diagnosis/recognition. BA are broad, fragile, pathologic dilatations of the intracranial arteries. They have a low prevalence but are associated with substantially higher surgical morbidity and mortality rates than saccular aneurysms. A confirmed, preoperative BA diagnosis can alter operative management and technique. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on aneurysm patients undergoing surgery at a major academic institution. All patients from 1990 to 2011 with a postoperative BA diagnosis were included. Chart reviews were performed to identify patients with preoperative BA diagnoses and collect descriptive data. We identified 14 patients, 12 of whom presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The age of the cohort (mean ± standard deviation: 41.8 ± 13.9 years) was lower than that generally reported for saccular aneurysm populations. Preoperatively diagnosed BA had an intraoperative rupture (IOR) rate of 28.6% (2/7) compared to a 57.1% (4/7) rate in the undiagnosed patients. The mortality rate in the preoperatively diagnosed cohort was 14.3% (1/7) while that of the undiagnosed group was 42.8% (3/7). BA remain a diagnostic and treatment challenge with morbidity and mortality rates exceeding those of saccular aneurysms. Preoperative BA diagnosis may decrease IOR and mortality rates and improve patient outcomes.

Incidence of "never events" among weekend admissions versus weekday admissions to US hospitals: national analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between weekend admission to hospital and 11 hospital acquired conditions recently considered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as "never events" for which resulting healthcare costs are not reimbursed. DESIGN: National analysis. SETTING: US Nationwide Inpatient Sample discharge database. PARTICIPANTS: 351 million patients discharged from US hospitals, 2002-10. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Univariate rates and multivariable likelihood of hospital acquired conditions among patients admitted on weekdays versus weekends, as well as the impacts of these events on prolonged length of stay and total inpatient charges. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2010, 351,170,803 patients were admitted to hospital, with 19% admitted on a weekend. Hospital acquired conditions occurred at an overall frequency of 4.1% (5.7% among weekend admissions versus 3.7% among weekday admissions). Adjusting for patient and hospital cofactors the probability of having one or more hospital acquired conditions was more than 20% higher in weekend admissions compared with weekday admissions (odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.26, P<0.01). Hospital acquired conditions have a negative impact on both hospital charges and length of stay. At least one hospital acquired condition was associated with an 83% (1.83, 1.77 to 1.90, P<0.01) likelihood of increased charges and 38% likelihood of prolonged length of stay (1.38, 1.36 to 1.41, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Weekend admission to hospital is associated with an increased likelihood of hospital acquired condition, cost, and length of stay. Future protocols and staffing regulations must be tailored to the requirements of this high risk subgroup.

Evidence-based guidelines for the management of large hemispheric infarction : a statement for health care professionals from the Neurocritical Care Society and the German Society for Neuro-intensive Care and Emergency Medicine.

Large hemispheric infarction (LHI), also known as malignant middle cerebral infarction, is a devastating disease associated with significant disability and mortality. Clinicians and family members are often faced with a paucity of high quality clinical data as they attempt to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for patients with LHI, and current stroke guidelines do not provide a detailed approach regarding the day-to-day management of these complicated patients. To address this need, the Neurocritical Care Society organized an international multidisciplinary consensus conference on the critical care management of LHI. Experts from neurocritical care, neurosurgery, neurology, interventional neuroradiology, and neuroanesthesiology from Europe and North America were recruited based on their publications and expertise. The panel devised a series of clinical questions related to LHI, and assessed the quality of data related to these questions using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation guideline system. They then developed recommendations (denoted as strong or weak) based on the quality of the evidence, as well as the balance of benefits and harms of the studied interventions, the values and preferences of patients, and resource considerations.

Functional outcomes of replantation following radiocarpal amputation.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term functional and clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone replantation after radiocarpal amputation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of radiocarpal joint amputations at a level 1 trauma center over a 13-year period. Medical records of patients treated with replantation were queried for injury data, operative reports, complications, and clinical progress. Patients who met inclusion criteria were contacted for long-term follow-up. We measured total active motion of each digit, strength (grip and pinch), and 2-point discrimination. Functional outcomes were assessed with Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, Mayo Wrist Score, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, and Michigan Hand Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated, including frequencies for categorical variables and means and ranges for continuous variables. RESULTS: Six patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 36 years (range, 26-50 y). Five patients were available at a mean follow-up of 3.9 years (range, 1.0-6.9 y). Compared with the contralateral uninjured extremity, total active motion of the hand was 38% (range, 26% to 59%) and grip strength was 9% (range, 0% to 18%). Neither tip nor key pinch was present. Mean 2-point discrimination was 10.6 mm (range, 8-12 mm). All mean outcome scores indicated moderate disability, including Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (76; range, 45-82), Mayo Wrist Score (23; range, 5-50), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (86; range, 56-98), and Michigan Hand Questionnaire (27; range, 15-55). Two patients were able to return to work and 3 were permanently disabled. All patients were satisfied with the hand function. CONCLUSIONS: Successful replantation for a radiocarpal joint amputation is associated with major restriction of motion, decreased strength, and moderate disability on functional outcome assessments. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Health disparities in time to aneurysm clipping/coiling among aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a national study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested disparities in quality of health care and time to treatment across socioeconomic groups. Such differences can be of greatest consequence in the setting of emergent medical conditions. Surgical or endovascular treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms within the first 3 days of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with improved outcome. We hypothesize that race and payer status disparities effect the time to treatment for ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: Discharge data were collected from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample during the years 2002-2010. International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition; Clinical Modification codes were used to identify patients with aSAH who were treated by either surgical clipping or endovascular coil embolization. Time to procedure was dichotomized into 1) treatment in 3 days or less or 2) treatment in greater than 3 days. Time to treatment was evaluated according to demographic factors, including race, payer status, and median zip code income via multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 78,070 aSAH admissions were treated by either aneurysm clip ligation or coil embolization. Hispanic race and Medicaid payer status were associated with increased time to treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Racial and socioeconomic factors are associated with delayed time to treatment in aSAH. Identification of factors underlying these delays and standardization of care may allow for more uniform treatment protocols and improved patient care.

The impact of patient age and comorbidities on the occurrence of "never events" in cerebrovascular surgery: an analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

OBJECT: As health care administrators focus on patient safety and cost-effectiveness, methodical assessment of quality outcome measures is critical. In 2008 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a series of "never events" that included 11 hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) for which related costs of treatment are not reimbursed. Cerebrovascular procedures (CVPs) are complex and are often performed in patients with significant medical comorbidities. METHODS: This study examines the impact of patient age and medical comorbidities on the occurrence of CMS-defined HACs, as well as the effect of these factors on the length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization charges in patients undergoing common CVPs. RESULTS: The HACs occurred at a frequency of 0.49% (1.33% in the intracranial procedures and 0.33% in the carotid procedures). Falls/trauma (n = 4610, 72.3% HACs, 357 HACs per 100,000 CVPs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (n = 714, 11.2% HACs, 55 HACs per 100,000 CVPs) were the most common events. Age and the presence of ≥ 2 comorbidities were strong independent predictors of HACs (p < 0.0001). The occurrence of HACs negatively impacts both LOS and hospital costs. Patients with at least 1 HAC were 10 times more likely to have prolonged LOS (≥ 90th percentile) (p < 0.0001), and 8 times more likely to have high inpatient costs (≥ 90th percentile) (p < 0.0001) when adjusting for patient and hospital factors. CONCLUSIONS: Improved quality protocols focused on individual patient characteristics might help to decrease the frequency of HACs in this high-risk population. These data suggest that risk adjustment according to underlying patient factors may be warranted when considering reimbursement for costs related to HACs in the setting of CVPs.