Acute Kidney Injury in Critical Care COVID-19 Patients on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: The Potential Preventive Role of Dexamethasone.

Background: A high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in critical care units and those undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The introduction of dexamethasone (DXM) as treatment for severe COVID-19 has improved mortality, but its effects in other organs remain under study. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between DXM and AKI in COVID-19. Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, we evaluated the incidence of AKI in critically ill COVID-19 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, and the association of DXM treatment with the incidence, severity, and outcomes of AKI. The association between DXM treatment and AKI was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. The association of the combination of DXM treatment and AKI on mortality was evaluated by Cox-regression analysis. Results: We included 552 patients. AKI was diagnosed in 311 (56%), of which 196 (63%) corresponded to severe (stage 2 or 3) AKI, and 46 (14.8%) received kidney replacement therapy. Two hundred and sixty-seven (48%) patients were treated with DXM. This treatment was associated to lower incidence of AKI (Odds Radio 0.34, 95% Confidence intervals [CI] 0.22-0.52, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, body mass index, laboratory parameters, SOFA score, and vasopressor use. DXM treatment significantly reduced mortality in patients with severe AKI (HR 0.63, 95%CI 0.41-0.96, p = 0.032). Conclusions: The incidence of AKI is high in COVID-19 patients under IMV. DXM treatment is associated with a lower incidence of AKI and a lower mortality in the group with severe AKI.

Importance of Confirmatory Tests for Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Mexican Registry.

Background: Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, patients with chronic kidney disease vulnerable to suffering more severe COVID-19 disease and worse outcomes have been identified. Objectives: Our study's aim was to determine the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients of hemodialysis (HD) units in Mexico and to describe the availability of confirmatory testing. Methods: This study was multicentric study of 19 HD units, conducted between March 2020 and March 2021. Results: From a total of 5779 patients, 955 (16.5%) cases of suspicious COVID-19 were detected; a SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test was done in only 50.6% of patients. Forty-five percentages were hospitalized and 6% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). There was no significant difference in mortality between confirmed (131/483) and suspicious (124/472) cases (p = 0.74). The percentage of patients in need of hospitalization, IMV, and deceased was greater than in the rest of the study population. Conclusions: The study revealed that 49.4% of the cases were not confirmed, a worrisome observation given that this is a highly vulnerable population (higher probability of contagion and worse outcomes), in which 100% of patients should have a confirmatory test.

Comparison of Anesthetic Agents Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam During Mechanical Thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The ideal anesthetic for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a subject of debate. Recent studies have supported the use of monitored anesthesia care (MAC), but few have attempted to compare MAC neuroanesthetics. Our study directly compares midazolam and dexmedetomidine (DEX) on blood pressure control during thrombectomy and functional outcomes at discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of an MT database, which consisted of 612 patients admitted between 2010-2019 to our tertiary stroke center. 193 patients who received either midazolam or DEX for MAC induction were identified. Primary and secondary outcomes were >20% maximum decrease in mean arterial pressure during MT and functional independence respectively. RESULTS: 146 patients were administered midazolam, while 47 were administered DEX. Decrease in blood pressure (BP) during MT was associated with lower rates of functional independence at last follow-up (p=0.034). When compared to midazolam, DEX had significantly higher rates of intraprocedural decrease in MAP at the following cut-offs: >20% (p<0.001), >30% (p=0.001), and >40% (p=0.006). On multivariate analysis, DEX was an independent predictor of >20% MAP decrease (OR 7.042, p<0.001). At time of discharge, NIHSS scores and functional independence (mRS 0-2) were statistically similar between DEX and midazolam. Functional independence at last known follow-up was statistically similar between DEX and midazolam (p = 0.643). CONCLUSIONS: Use of DEX during MT appears to be associated with increased blood pressure volatility when compared to midazolam. Further investigation is needed to determine the impact of MAC agents on functional independence.

A Contemporary Perspective on the Management of Post-Craniotomy Headache and Pain.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article discusses the etiology and management of post-craniotomy headache and pain. A review of available as well as investigatory treatment modalities is offered, followed by suggestions for optimal management of post-craniotomy headache. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a dearth of evidence-based practice regarding the differential diagnosis, natural history, and management of post-craniotomy headache. The etiology of post-craniotomy headache is typically multifactorial, with patients' medical history, type of craniotomy, and perioperative management all playing a role. Post-craniotomy headaches are often undertreated, yet available evidence supports a multimodal approach for both prophylaxis and management. Many therapeutic techniques that aim to treat or prevent post-craniotomy headache require more robust validation than clinical evidence currently imparts. Pre- and intraoperative locoregional anesthesia should be the mainstay of prophylaxis; the role of opiates co-administered with analgesics, corticosteroids, and antiepileptic therapy in the acute perioperative phase is of paramount importance. Treatment of chronic PCH is less well-defined but should involve trials of analgesic, antineuropathic, and antiepileptic medications before enlisting experimental treatments. Comorbid psychiatric, musculoskeletal, or seizure disorders should be managed distinctly from post-craniotomy headaches. In patients failing all extant therapies, experimental approaches should be considered. These include subanesthetic ketamine infusion or surgical site injection with local anesthetics, corticosteroids, or botulinum toxin. Post-craniotomy headache is a complex phenomenon with many underutilized treatment options available, and many more under investigation. Nonetheless, further research is required to differentiate the efficacy of contemporary treatment strategies and to elucidate the applicability of novel therapies.

Open, Observational, Single-Arm, Multicenter Study Assessing the Effectiveness of a Dietary Supplement Containing Hydrolyzed Collagen, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Glucosamine for Osteoarthritis Pain Reduction.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related degenerative joint disease with a great impact on patients' well-being and quality of life. This is an observational, open, single-arm multicenter study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional supplement in patients with knee and/or hip OA. A total of 186 patients were recruited from Spanish centers and received a supplement containing hydrolyzed collagen (3000 mg), chondroitin sulfate (800 mg), glucosamine sulfate (700 mg), turmeric extract (250 mg) and devil's claw (150 mg), once daily during 6 months. The primary outcome was the patients' self-perceived pain in the affected joints measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcome was the patient's functioning, measured with the Lequesne Functional Index and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Participants showed a significant reduction in self-perceived pain after 3 (mean reduction ± standard deviation, 1.99 ± 1.05) and 6 months (3.57 ± 1.39) of treatment (p < 0.0001 in both comparisons). Lequesne Functional Index score was significantly reduced at 3 months (3.86 ± 2.94) and at 6 months (6.73 ± 4.30) of treatment (p < 0.0001 in both comparisons). The WOMAC index was also significantly reduced after 3 (14.24 ± 10.04) and 6 months (26.43 ± 17.35) of treatment (p < 0.0001 in both comparisons). Significant reductions in WOMAC subdomains (p < 0.0001 in all comparisons) were observed. No severe adverse events were reported during the study. The main results arising from this study show that this nutritional supplementation can improve OA-related symptoms and physical function with a good safety profile in patients with hip and/or knee OA.

Vascular and neuronal effects of general anesthesia on the brain: An fMRI study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A number of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies rely on application of anesthetic agents during scanning that can modulate and complicate interpretation of the measured hemodynamic blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of general anesthesia on two main components of BOLD signal including neuronal activity and vascular response. METHODS: Breath-holding (BH) fMRI was conducted in wakefulness and under anesthesia states in 9 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who needed to get scanned under anesthesia during laser interstitial thermal therapy. BOLD and BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity (BOLD-CVR) maps were compared using t-test between two states to assess the effect of anesthesia on neuronal activity and vascular factors (p < .05). RESULTS: Overall, our findings revealed an increase in BOLD-CVR and decrease in BOLD response under anesthesia in several brain regions. The results proposed that the modulatory mechanism of anesthetics on neuronal and vascular components of BOLD signal may work in different ways. CONCLUSION: This experiment for the first human study showed that anesthesia may play an important role in dissociation between neuronal and vascular responses contributed to hemodynamic BOLD signal using BH fMRI imaging that may assist the implication of general anesthesia and interpretation of outcomes in clinical setting.

Characteristic dynamic functional connectivity during sevoflurane-induced general anesthesia.

General anesthesia (GA) during surgery is commonly maintained by inhalational sevoflurane. Previous resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies have demonstrated suppressed functional connectivity (FC) of the entire brain networks, especially the default mode networks, transitioning from the awake to GA condition. However, accuracy and reliability were limited by previous administration methods (e.g. face mask) and short rs-fMRI scans. Therefore, in this study, a clinical scenario of epilepsy patients undergoing laser interstitial thermal therapy was leveraged to acquire 15 min of rs-fMRI while under general endotracheal anesthesia to maximize the accuracy of sevoflurane level. Nine recruited patients had fMRI acquired during awake and under GA, of which seven were included in both static and dynamic FC analyses. Group independent component analysis and a sliding-window method followed by k-means clustering were applied to identify four dynamic brain states, which characterized subtypes of FC patterns. Our results showed that a low-FC brain state was characteristic of the GA condition as a single featuring state during the entire rs-fMRI session; In contrast, the awake condition exhibited frequent fluctuations between three distinct brain states, one of which was a highly synchronized brain state not seen in GA. In conclusion, our study revealed remarkable dynamic connectivity changes from awake to GA condition and demonstrated the advantages of dynamic FC analysis for future studies in the assessments of the effects of GA on brain functional activities.

The effect of general anesthesia on the test-retest reliability of resting-state fMRI metrics and optimization of scan length.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has been known as a powerful tool in neuroscience. However, exploring the test-retest reliability of the metrics derived from the rs-fMRI BOLD signal is essential, particularly in the studies of patients with neurological disorders. Here, two factors, namely, the effect of anesthesia and scan length, have been estimated on the reliability of rs-fMRI measurements. A total of nine patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) requiring interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) were scanned in two states. The first scan was performed in an awake state before surgery on the same patient. The second scan was performed 2 weeks later under general anesthesia necessary for LITT surgery. At each state, two rs-fMRI sessions were obtained that each one lasted 15 min, and the effect of scan length was evaluated. Voxel-wise rs-fMRI metrics, including the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF), functional connectivity (FC), and regional homogeneity (ReHo), were measured. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to estimate the reliability of the measurements in two states of awake and under anesthesia. Overall, it appeared that the reliability of rs-fMRI metrics improved under anesthesia. From the 15-min data, we found mean ICC values in awake state including 0.81, 0.51, 0.65, and 0.84 for ALFF, fALFF, FC, and ReHo, respectively, as well as 0.80, 0.59, 0.83, and 0.88 for ALFF, fALFF, FC, and ReHo, respectively, under anesthesia. Additionally, our findings revealed that reliability increases as the function of scan length. We showed that the optimized scan length to achieve less variability of rs-fMRI measurements was 3.1-7.5 min shorter in an anesthetized, compared to a wakeful state.

Use of probabilistic tractography to provide reliable distinction of the motor and sensory thalamus for prospective targeting during asleep deep brain stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate electrode placement is key to effective deep brain stimulation (DBS). The ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus is an established surgical target for the treatment of essential tremor (ET). Retrospective tractography-based analysis of electrode placement has associated successful outcomes with modulation of motor input to VIM, but no study has yet evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of prospective presurgical tractography-based targeting alone. Therefore, the authors sought to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of probabilistic tractography-based VIM targeting in ET patients and to perform a systematic comparison of probabilistic and deterministic tractography. METHODS: Fourteen patients with ET underwent preoperative diffusion imaging. Probabilistic tractography was applied for preoperative targeting, and deterministic tractography was performed as a comparison between methods. Tractography was performed using the motor and sensory areas as initiation seeds, the ipsilateral thalamus as an inclusion mask, and the contralateral dentate nucleus as a termination mask. Tract-density maps consisted of voxels with 10% or less of the maximum intensity and were superimposed onto anatomical images for presurgical planning. Target planning was based on probabilistic tract-density images and indirect target coordinates. Patients underwent robotic image-guided, image-verified implantation of directional DBS systems. Postoperative tremor scores with and without DBS were recorded. The center of gravity and Dice similarity coefficients were calculated and compared between tracking methods. RESULTS: Prospective probabilistic targeting of VIM was successful in all 14 patients. All patients experienced significant tremor reduction. Formal postoperative tremor scores were available for 9 patients, who demonstrated a mean 68.0% tremor reduction. Large differences between tracking methods were observed across patients. Probabilistic tractography-identified VIM fibers were more anterior, lateral, and superior than deterministic tractography-identified fibers, whereas probabilistic tractography-identified ventralis caudalis fibers were more posterior, lateral, and superior than deterministic tractography-identified fibers. Deterministic methods were unable to clearly distinguish between motor and sensory fibers in the majority of patients, but probabilistic methods produced distinct separation. CONCLUSIONS: Probabilistic tractography-based VIM targeting is safe and effective for the treatment of ET. Probabilistic tractography is more precise than deterministic tractography for the delineation of VIM and the ventralis caudalis nucleus of the thalamus. Deterministic algorithms tended to underestimate separation between motor and sensory fibers, which may have been due to its limitations with crossing fibers. Larger studies across multiple centers are necessary to further validate this method.

Rescue stenting for acute ischemic stroke with refractory emergent large vessel occlusion in the modern thrombectomy era.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rescue stenting is used as a bailout technique during mechanical thrombectomy for stroke. We performed a retrospective study analyzing outcomes of patients that received a stent as a bailout measure and compared results to a control group. METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent a mechanical thrombectomy for a large vessel occlusion between January 2010 and October 2019. Subjects with mTICI 0-2 A after at least three passes were defined as failed MT and constituted the control group (NSG-controls). Patients that received a rescue stent (RSG) formed the study group. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of patient demographics between NSG-controls and SRG was performed. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were not significantly different between both groups. NIHSS at admission and IV t-PA were not significantly different among both groups (16.5 vs. 14.2, p = 0.19) and (39.4% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.30), respectively. There was no significant difference in procedural and post-procedural complications between both the groups. In the RSG, 24 patients (82.4%) achieved favorable revascularization outcomes. NIHSS at discharge (p = 0.01) was higher in the NSG-controls, while favorable functional outcome at three months (12% vs. 39.2%, p = 0.01) was observed at a higher proportion in the RSG. There was also a significant mortality difference, with 15.2% mortality in the RSG compared to 35.1% mortality in the NSG-controls (p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, stenting was an independent predictor of favorable outcome (OR: 10.0, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Herein, we demonstrated that rescue stenting is a feasible, safe, and effective procedure to improve stroke outcomes and should be seriously considered if the primary mechanical thrombectomy is not successful.

Procalcitonin concentration in the emergency department predicts 30-day mortality in COVID-19 better than the lymphocyte count, the neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio, or the C-reactive protein level. / Procalcitonina es superior a recuento linfocitario, índice neutrófilo/linfocito y proteína C reactiva para la predicción de mortalidad a 30 días de pacientes con COVID-19 en el servicio de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: Although many demographic and clinical predictors of mortality have been studied in relation to COVID-19, little has been reported about the prognostic utility of inflammatory biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. All patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 treated in a hospital emergency department were included consecutively if baseline measurements of the following biomarkers were on record: lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio NRL, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels. We analyzed associations between the biomarkers and all-cause 30-day mortality using Cox regression models and dose-response curves. RESULTS: We included 896 patients, 151 (17%) of whom died within 30 days. The median (interquartile range) age was 63 (51-78) years, and 494 (55%) were men. NLR, CRP and PCT levels at ED presentation were higher, while lymphocyte counts were lower, in patients who died compared to those who survived (P .001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the PCT concentration (0.79; 95% CI, 0.75-0.83) to be a better predictor of 30-day mortality than the lymphocyte count (0.70; 95% CI, 0.65-0.74; P .001), the NLR (0.74; 95% CI, 0.69-0.78; P = .03), or the CRP level (0.72; 95% CI, 0.68-0.76; P .001). The proposed PCT concentration decision points for use in emergency department case management were 0.06 ng/L (negative) and 0.72 ng/L (positive). These cutoffs helped classify risk in 357 patients (40%). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the PCT concentration had the strongest association with mortality. CONCLUSION: PCT concentration in the emergency department predicts all-cause 30-day mortality in patients with COVID-19 better than other inflammatory biomarkers.

OBJETIVO: Existen múltiples variables demográficas y clínicas predictivas de mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19. Sin embargo, hay menos información sobre el valor pronóstico de los biomarcadores inflamatorios. METODO: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva todos los pacientes con COVID-19, confirmado por laboratorio, atendidos en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH) y con valor basal de los siguientes biomarcadores: recuento linfocitario, índice neutrófilo/linfocito (INL), proteína C reactiva (PCR) y procalcitonina (PCT). La relación entre los biomarcadores y la mortalidad total a 30 días se analizó mediante una regresión de Cox y gráficos de dosis-respuesta. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 896 pacientes, 151 (17%) fallecieron en los primeros 30 días. La mediana de edad fue de 63 años (51-78) y 494 (55%) eran hombres. El valor de INL, PCR y PCT fue mayor, mientras que el recuento linfocitario fue menor, en los pacientes que fallecieron respecto a los que sobrevivieron (p 0,001). La PCT fue superior al recuento linfocitario, INL y PCR en la predicción de mortalidad a 30 días (ABC 0,79 [IC 95%: 0,75-0,83] vs 0,70 [IC 95%: 0,65-0,74], p 0,001; 0,74 [IC 95%: 0,69-0,78], p = 0,03; y 0,72 [IC 95%: 0,68-0,76], p 0,001). Los puntos de decisión de PCT propuestos, 0,06 ng/l para exclusión y 0,72 ng/l para inclusión de muerte a 30 días, podrían facilitar la toma de decisiones en urgencias. Hubo 357 pacientes (40%) con valores de PCT en estas categorías. El análisis multivariable mostró una mayor asociación con la mortalidad para PCT que en los otros biomarcadores estudiados. CONCLUSIONES: PCT es el biomarcador con mejor capacidad para predecir mortalidad a 30 días por cualquier causa en pacientes con COVID-19 valorados en un SUH.

Decompressive Hemicraniectomy in the Modern Era of Mechanical Thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to determine the incidence of decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) in the modern era of mechanical thrombectomy techniques and improved revascularization outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 512 patients admitted with acute ischemic strokes with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion that were treated by mechanical thrombectomy from 2010-2019. The primary endpoint was the need for surgical decompression. Secondary endpoints were infarct size, hemorrhagic conversion, and functional outcome at hospital discharge. RESULTS: Of the 512 patients, 18 (3.5%) underwent DHC at a median 2.0 days from stroke onset. The DHC group was significantly younger than the non-DHC group (P < 0.001), had worse reperfusion rates (P = 0.024) and larger infarct size (P < 0.001). Hemorrhagic conversion was more frequent in the DHC group but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.08). From 2010-2015, 196 patients underwent a mechanical thrombectomy, 13 of whom (6.6%) required a DHC, while 316 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy from 2016-2019 and only 5 patients required a DHC (1.6%; P = 0.002). Younger age (P < 0.001), urinary tract infection (P < 0.001) and increasing infarct size were significantly associated with needing a DHC. When controlling for other risk factors, higher thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score significantly reduced the need for decompressive hemicraniectomy (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the largest single-center experiences demonstrating that improved recanalization decreased the need for DHC without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic conversion.

Battle-Tested Guidelines and Operational Protocols for Neurosurgical Practice in Times of a Pandemic: Lessons Learned from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to fundamental disruptions of health care and its delivery with sweeping implications for patients and physicians of all specialties, including neurosurgery. In an effort to conserve hospital resources, neurosurgical procedures were classified into tiers to determine which procedures have to be performed in a timely fashion and which ones can be temporarily suspended to aid in the hospital's reallocation of resources when equipment is scarce. These guidelines were created quickly based on little existing evidence, and thus were initially variable and required refinement. As the early wave can now be assessed in retrospect, the authors describe the lessons learned and the protocols established based on published global evidence to continue to practice neurosurgery sensibly and minimize disruptions. These operational protocols can be applied in a surge of COVID-19 or another airborne pandemic.

Feasibility and initial experience of left radial approach for diagnostic neuroangiography.

Neuroangiography has seen a recent shift from transfemoral to transradial access. In transradial neuroangiography, the right dominant hand is the main access used. However, the left side may be used specifically for left posterior circulation pathologies and when right access cannot be used. This study describes our initial experience with left radial access for diagnostic neuroangiography and assesses the feasibility and safety of this technique. We performed a retrospective review of a prospective database of consecutive patients between April 2018 and January 2020, and identified 20 patients whom a left radial access was used for neurovascular procedures. Left transradial neuroangiography was successful in all 20 patients and provided the sought diagnostic information; no patient required conversion to right radial or femoral access. Pathology consisted of anterior circulation aneurysms in 17 patients (85%), brain tumor in 1 patient (5%), and intracranial atherosclerosis disease involving the middle cerebral artery in 2 patients (10%). The left radial artery was accessed at the anatomic snuffbox in 18 patients (90%) and the wrist in 2 patients (10%). A single vessel was accessed in 7 (35%), two vessels in 8 (40%), three vessels in 4 (20%), and four vessels in 1 (5%). Catheterization was successful in 71% of the cases for the right internal carotid artery and in only 7.7% for the left internal carotid artery. There were no instances of radial artery spasm, radial artery occlusion, or procedural complications. Our initial experience found the left transradial access to be a potentially feasible approach for diagnostic neuroangiography even beyond the left vertebral artery. The approach is strongly favored by patients but has significant limitations compared with the right-sided approach.

Lessons Learned After 760 Neurointerventions via the Upper Extremity Vasculature: Pearls and Pitfalls.

BACKGROUND: The radial approach has been gaining more widespread use by neurointerventionalists fueled by data from the cardiology literature showing better safety and overall reduced morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To present our institution's experience with the radial approach for neuroendovascular interventions in 614 consecutive patients who underwent a cumulative of 760 procedures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed and identified neuroendovascular procedures performed via the upper extremity vasculature access site. RESULTS: Amongst 760 procedures, 34.2% (260) were therapeutic, and 65.7% (500) were nontherapeutic angiograms. Access sites were 71.5% (544) via a conventional radial artery, 27.8% (211) via a distal radial artery, 0.5% (4) via an ulnar artery, and 0.1% (1) via the brachial artery. Most of the procedures (96.9%) were performed via the right-sided (737), 2.9% (22) via the left-sided, and 0.1% (1) via a bilateral approach. Major access site complications occurred at a rate of 0.9% (7). The rate of transfemoral conversion was 4.7% (36). There was a statistically higher incidence of transfemoral conversion when repeat procedures were performed using the same access site. Also, there was no significant difference between nontherapeutic procedures performed using the right and left radial access, and conventional versus distal radial access. Procedural metrics improved after completion of 14 procedures, indicating a learning curve that should be surpassed by operators to reach optimal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Radial artery catheterization is a safe and effective means of carrying out a wide range of neuroendovascular procedures associated with excellent clinical outcomes and an overall low rate of periprocedural complications.

High Incidence of Burst Suppression during Propofol Sedation for Outpatient Colonoscopy: Lessons Learned from Neuromonitoring.

BACKGROUND: Although anesthesia providers may plan for moderate sedation, the depth of sedation is rarely quantified. Using processed electroencephalography (EEG) to assess the depth of sedation, this study investigates the incidence of general anesthesia with variable burst suppression in patients receiving propofol for outpatient colonoscopy. The lessons learned from neuromonitoring can then be used to guide institutional best sedation practice. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of 119 outpatients undergoing colonoscopy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH). Propofol was administered by CRNAs under anesthesiologists' supervision. The Patient State Index (PSi™) generated by the Masimo SedLine® Brain Root Function monitor (Masimo Corp., Irvine, CA) was used to assess the depth of sedation. PSi data correlating to general anesthesia with variable burst suppression were confirmed by neuroelectrophysiologists' interpretation of unprocessed EEG. RESULTS: PSi values of <50 consistent with general anesthesia were attained in 118/119 (99.1%) patients. Of these patients, 33 (27.7%) attained PSi values <25 consistent with variable burst suppression. The 118 patients that reached PSi <50 spent a significantly greater percentage (53.1% vs. 42%) of their case at PSi levels <50 compared to PSi levels >50 (p=0.001). Mean total propofol dose was significantly correlated to patient PSi during periods of PSi <25 (R=0.406, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Although providers planned for moderate to deep sedation, processed EEG showed patients were under general anesthesia, often with burst suppression. Anesthesiologists and endoscopists may utilize processed EEG to recognize their institutional practice patterns of procedural sedation with propofol and improve upon it.

Transradial approach for acute stroke intervention: technical procedure and clinical outcomes.

Background and purpose: Radial artery catheterisation is an alternate route of access that has recently started to gain more widespread use for neuroendovascular procedures, including acute stroke intervention. In this small case series, we present our institution's outcomes in patients undergoing acute stroke interventions via transradial access. Materials and methods: We present a retrospective study of 15 patients who underwent acute stroke intervention via radial artery access. We analyse these patients' periprocedural and clinical outcomes after undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Results: A total of 15 consecutive patients were included in the study (9 males and 6 females), and all patients were able to successfully undergo mechanical thrombectomy via radial artery access. The mean time of arterial puncture to reperfusion was 50±28 min (range: 15-104). A TICI 2b/3 revascularisation was achieved in 13/15 patients (87%); a TICI 1 and TICI 2a outcome was achieved on the other two patients. One patient incurred an iatrogenic vessel dissection during the procedure. Eight of out 15 patients (53%) had favourable mRS (0-3) at the time of discharge from the hospital. Conclusion: Radial artery catheterisation is technically feasible for performing acute stroke interventions with favourable time to revascularisation and good overall clinical outcomes.

Cerebral ischemic and hemorrhagic complications of coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with neurological manifestations including stroke. OBJECTIVES: We present a case series of coronavirus disease 2019 patients from two institutions with acute cerebrovascular pathologies. In addition, we present a pooled analysis of published data on large vessel occlusion in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019 and a concise summary of the pathophysiology of acute cerebrovascular disease in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019. METHODS: A retrospective study across two institutions was conducted between 20 March 2020 and 20 May 2020, for patients developing acute cerebrovascular disease and diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019. We performed a literature review using the PubMed search engine. RESULTS: The total sample size was 22 patients. The mean age was 59.5 years, and 12 patients were female. The cerebrovascular pathologies were 17 cases of acute ischemic stroke, 3 cases of aneurysm rupture, and 2 cases of sinus thrombosis. Of the stroke and sinus thrombosis patients, the mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was 13.8 ± 8.0, and 16 (84.2%) patients underwent a mechanical thrombectomy procedure. A favorable thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score was achieved in all patients. Of the 16 patients that underwent a mechanical thrombectomy, the mortality incidence was five (31.3%). Of all patients (22), three (13.6%) patients developed hemorrhagic conversion requiring decompressive surgery. Eleven (50%) patients had a poor functional status (modified Rankin Score 3-6) at discharge, and the total mortality incidence was eight (36.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite timely intervention and favorable reperfusion, the mortality rate in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with large vessel occlusion was high in our series and in the pooled analysis. Notable features were younger age group, involvement of both the arterial and venous vasculature, multivessel involvement, and complicated procedures due to the clot consistency and burden.

Access Through the Anatomical Snuffbox for Neuroendovascular Procedures: A Single Institution Series.

BACKGROUND: Distal transradial catheterization in the anatomic snuffbox is an alternate route of access that has started to gain consideration for neuroendovascular procedures. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and outcomes and present our institution's experience in performing neuroendovascular procedures via distal transradial access (dTRA). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis and identified 120 patients who underwent consecutive neuroendovascular procedures via dTRA in the anatomic snuffbox. Data collection was performed on indication for procedure, sheath size, number of vessels selectively catheterized, fluoroscopy time, procedure duration, radiation exposure, conversion to femoral approach, access site complication, and procedure success. RESULTS: Of 120 patients with an average age of 54.7 yr ± 14.7, 73 (60.8%) underwent diagnostic angiograms, 38 (31.7%) underwent follow-up angiograms, and 9 (7.5%) underwent therapeutic procedures. The overall mean number of vessels catheterized was 2.5 ± 0.1 per procedure, the mean procedure time was 68.3 min ± 43.4, the mean fluoroscopy time was 10.8 min ± 7.6, the mean contrast dose was 70.6 mL ± 39.1, and the mean radiation exposure was 27 672.2 mGycm2 ± 42 728.4. Successfully completed therapeutic procedures included aneurysm 1 (0.8%), arteriovenous malformation (AVM)/arteriovenous fistula/carotid cavernous fistula 7 (5.8%), and 1 (0.8%) other treatment. Three patients (2.5%) required adjunct transfemoral endovenous access for AVM embolization. Two minor complications (1.67%) were a local wrist hematoma and a radial artery vasospasm without any sequelae. CONCLUSION: Distal radial artery catheterization in the anatomic snuffbox is a safe and effective access site to perform neuroendovascular procedures. Complications and conversion rate are low making it a safe alternative.

Predictors of Complications, Functional Outcome, and Morbidity in a Large Cohort Treated With Flow Diversion.

BACKGROUND: A dramatic improvement in obliteration rates of large, wide-necked aneurysms has been observed after the FDA approved the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) in 2011. OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictors of complications, morbidity, and unfavorable outcomes in a large cohort of patients with aneurysms treated with PED. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of a prospectively maintained database for subjects treated with flow diversion from 2010 to 2019. RESULTS: A total of 598 aneurysms were treated during a period extending from 2010 to 2019 (84.28% females, mean age 55.5 yr, average aneurysm size 8.49 mm). Morbidity occurred at a rate of 5.8% and mortality at a rate of 2.2%. Ischemic stroke occurred at a rate of 3%, delayed aneurysmal rupture (DAR) at 1.2%, and distal intraparenchymal hemorrhage (DIPH) at 1.5%. On multivariate analysis, the predictor of stroke was aneurysm size >15 mm. Predictors of DAR were previous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), increasing aneurysm size, and posterior circulation aneurysm. Predictors of DIPH were using more than 1 PED and baseline P2Y12 value. Predictors of in-stent stenosis were the increasing year of treatment and balloon angioplasty, whereas increasing age and previous treatment were negatively associated with in-stent stenosis. Predictors of morbidity were posterior circulation aneurysms, increasing aneurysm size, and hypertension, and incidental aneurysm diagnosis was protective for morbidity. CONCLUSION: Flow diversion is a safe and effective treatment option for aneurysms. A better understanding of predictive factors of complications, morbidity, and functional outcomes is of high importance for a more accurate risk assessment.