Neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhages: the potential of quantitative brainstem MRI.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study aimed to identify quantitative magnetic resonance imaging markers in the brainstem of preterm neonates with intraventricular hemorrhages. It delves into the intricate associations between quantitative brainstem magnetic resonance imaging metrics and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage, aiming to elucidate potential relationships and their clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neuroimaging was performed on preterm neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage using a multi-dynamic multi-echo sequence to determine T1 relaxation time, T2 relaxation time, and proton density in specific brainstem regions. Neonatal outcome scores were collected using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Statistical analysis aimed to explore potential correlations between magnetic resonance imaging metrics and neurodevelopmental outcomes. RESULTS: Sixty preterm neonates (mean gestational age at birth 26.26 ± 2.69 wk; n = 24 [40%] females) were included. The T2 relaxation time of the midbrain exhibited significant positive correlations with cognitive (r = 0.538, P < 0.0001, Pearson's correlation), motor (r = 0.530, P < 0.0001), and language (r = 0.449, P = 0.0008) composite scores at 1 yr of age. CONCLUSION: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging can provide valuable insights into neurodevelopmental outcomes after intraventricular hemorrhage, potentially aiding in identifying at-risk neonates. Multi-dynamic multi-echo sequence sequences hold promise as an adjunct to conventional sequences, enhancing the sensitivity of neonatal magnetic resonance neuroimaging and supporting clinical decision-making for these vulnerable patients.

Deep multiscale convolutional feature learning for intracranial hemorrhage classification and weakly supervised localization.

Objective: This study evaluated the performance of attentional fusion model-based multiscale features in classifying intracerebral hemorrhage and the localization of bleeding focus based on weakly supervised target localization. Methods: A publicly available dataset provided by the American College of Neuroradiology (ASNR) was used, consisting of 750,000 computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain, manually marked by radiologists for intracranial hemorrhage and five hemorrhage subtypes. A multiscale feature classification and weakly supervised localization framework based on an attentional fusion mechanism were applied, which could be annotated at the slice level and provided intracranial hemorrhage classification and hemorrhage focus localization. Results: The designed framework achieved excellent performance for classification and localization. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting bleeding was 0.973. High AUC values were observed for the five hemorrhage subtypes (epidural AUC = 0.891, subdural AUC = 0.991, subarachnoid AUC = 0.983, intraventricular AUC = 0.995, intraparenchymal AUC = 0.990). This model outperformed the average entry-level radiology trainee compared to previously reported data. Conclusion: The designed method quickly and accurately detected intracerebral hemorrhage, classifying hemorrhage subtypes and locating bleeding points with image-level annotation alone. The results indicate that this framework can significantly reduce diagnostic time while improving the detection of intracerebral hemorrhage in emergencies. It can thus be integrated into the diagnostic radiology workflow in the future.

Perinatal substance use disorder: Examining the impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: Substance use disorder is a growing concern in the USA, especially among pregnant women. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of substance use disorder on adverse pregnancy outcomes using a nationwide sample of inpatient pregnancy hospitalizations in the USA, and to elucidate the influence on each type of adverse pregnancy outcome. Study design: A cross-sectional analysis of inpatient pregnancy hospitalizations in the USA from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2020 was conducted. International Classification of Diseases - 10th revision and diagnosis-related group codes were used to identify inpatient pregnancy-related delivery hospitalizations with a substance use disorder and/or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Propensity score matching and multiple logistic regression analyses were undertaken to predict the likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnancy hospitalizations with and without substance use disorder. Subgroup analyses were performed to estimate the impact of substance use disorder on each adverse pregnancy outcome. Results: From 3,238,558 hospitalizations, the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was substantially higher among pregnancy hospitalizations with substance use disorder (35.6 %) compared with pregnancy hospitalizations without substance use disorder (25.1 %, p < 0.001). After matching and model adjustment for sociodemographic covariates, substance use disorder was identified as an independent predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.47, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.45-1.49]. In subgroup analyses based on type of adverse pregnancy outcome, the greatest exposure risks were fetal growth restriction (aOR 1.96, 95 % CI 1.91-2.01), antepartum hemorrhage (aOR 1.79, 95 % CI 1.73-1.85) and preterm birth (aOR 1.65, 95 % CI 1.62-1.68). Conclusion: Patients with substance use disorder are at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly fetal growth restriction, antepartum hemorrhage and preterm birth.

A review of methamphetamine use and stroke in the young.

Methamphetamine (meth) is a potent and addictive central nervous system stimulant with increasing use. Stroke is one severe possible complication of meth use. Due to high levels of manufacturing in Mexico, the western United States has experienced greater consequences of meth use. The literature reviewed herein is comprised of case studies and series, and it suggests that hemorrhagic stroke (including hypertensive-like intracerebral hemorrhage and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage), as opposed to ischemic stroke, is the more common type of neurovascular complication of meth use. Meth-related strokes are a particular concern for younger patients with stroke and may be a partial explanation for increasing stroke rates in this age group. We describe two cases (one intraparenchymal hemorrhage and one ischemic stroke) in young patients (<50 years old) with recent meth use to illustrate clinical characteristics and therapeutic considerations. There are several proposed pathophysiological explanations for meth-associated hemorrhagic stroke including an induced hypertensive surge, vasospasm, blood brain barrier breakdown, chronic hypertension, aneurysm development and rupture, and very rarely associated vasculitis. The increased risk of ischemic stroke related to meth use is less well supported in the literature, but this may, in part, be related to a lack of appropriately designed and powered research studies. Proposed mechanisms for ischemic stroke complications of meth use include those affecting blood vessels such as accelerated atherosclerosis, chronic hypertension, vasospasm, and vasculitis, plus mechanisms that affect the heart including cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and infective endocarditis (especially with injection drug use). Standard therapeutic interventions for acute stroke and approaches to secondary stroke prevention seem appropriate for meth-associated strokes, with the addition of abstinence from continued meth use. There is no evidence for any meth-specific stroke treatments. Finally, the prolonged duration of meth withdrawal is described. Larger, prospective studies of meth-related strokes are needed to allow for a better understanding and improved care for this often-devastating consequence of an increasingly prevalent cause of strokes in young patients.

A case of spontaneous abdominal hemoperitoneum secondary to ruptured splenosis.

We present a case of spontaneous abdominal hemoperitoneum secondary to ruptured splenosis in a 35-year-old patient with a history of splenectomy secondary to trauma 23 years prior. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated a large amorphous mass-like structure in the mesentery of the left hemiabdomen with active extravasation and hemoperitoneum. The patient also had a separate focus of hyper-enhancing mass adjacent to the bladder representing a mass versus splenule. The patient's radiographic and clinical presentation prompted management with exploratory laparotomy, hematoma evacuation, and resection of two splenules. With only a few cases of spontaneous abdominal hemoperitoneum from splenosis reported, this case describes successful management with surgical intervention.

Hypo-attenuating Berry Sign as a Novel Imaging Marker of Ruptured Aneurysm in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Introduction: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) constitutes a life-threatening condition, and identifying the ruptured aneurysm is essential for further therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of hypo-attenuating berry sign (HBS) observed on computed tomography (CT) scan in distinguishing ruptured aneurysms. Methods: In this diagnostic accuracy study, patients who had SAH and underwent non-enhanced brain CT scan were recruited. The HBS was defined as a hypo-attenuating area with an identifiable border in the blood-filled hyper-dense subarachnoid space. The screening performance characteristics of HBS in identifying ruptured aneurysms were calculated considering the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the gold standard. Results: A total of 129 aneurysms in 131 patients were analyzed. The overall sensitivity and specificity of HBS in the diagnosis of aneurysms were determined to be 78.7% (95%CI: 73.1% - 83.4%) and 70.7% (95%CI: 54.3% - 83.4%), respectively. Notably, the sensitivity increased to 90.9% (95%CI: 84.3% - 95.0%) for aneurysms larger than 5mm. The level of inter-observer agreement for assessing the presence of HBS was found to be substantial (kappa=0.734). The diagnostic accuracy of HBS in individuals exhibited enhanced specificity, sensitivity, and reliability when evaluating patients with a solitary aneurysm or assessing ruptured aneurysms. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between aneurysm size and the presence of HBS (odds ratios of 1.667 (95%CI: 1.238 - 2.244; p < 0.001) and 1.696 (95%CI: 1.231 - 2.335; p = 0.001) for reader 1 and reader 2, respectively). Conclusions: The HBS can serve as a simple and easy-to-use indicator for identifying a ruptured aneurysm and estimating its size in SAH patients.  .

Pelvic packing or endovascular interventions: Which should be given priority in managing hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures? A systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Background: Pelvic fractures in trauma patients can be associated with substantial massive hemorrhage. Hemostasis interventions mainly consist of pelvic packing (PP) and endovascular intervention (EI), such as angiography-embolization (AE) and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). Whether PP or EI should be prioritized for the management of hemodynamic unstable patients with pelvic fractures remains under debate. This meta-analysis aimed to establish the evidence-based recommendations for the management of hemodynamic unstable patients. Materials and methods: PubMed, CENTRAL, and EMBASE databases were searched for articles published from January 1, 2000 to January 31, 2023. Eligible studies, such as retrospective cohort studies, propensity score matching studies, prospective cohort studies, observational cohort studies, quasi-randomized clinical trials evaluating PP and EI (AE or REBOA) for the management of patients with hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures, were included. Mean Difference (MD), relative risk (RR), and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models depending on the heterogeneity of included trials. We compared the effectiveness of the two methods in terms of mortality, unstable fracture pattens, injury severity score (ISS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), lactate (LA), base deficiency (BE), hemoglobin preoperatively, blood transfusion requirement, the time to and of operation, complications. Results: Overall, 15 trials enrolling 1136 patients were analyzed, showing a total mortality rate of 28.4 % (323/1136). No effect of PP preference on the ISS (PP 36.4 ± 10.4 vs. EI 34.5 ± 12.7), SBP (PP 81.1 ± 24.3 mmHg vs. EI 94.2 ± 32.4 mmHg), LA (PP 4.66 ± 2.72 mmol/L vs. 4.85 ± 3.45 mmol/L), BE (PP 8.14 ± 5.64 mmol/L vs. 6.66 ± 5.68 mmol/L), and unstable fracture patterns (RR = 1.10, 95 % CI [0.63, 1.92]) was observed. PP application was associated with lower preoperative hemoglobin level (PP 8.11 ± 2.28 g/dL vs. EI 8.43 ± 2.43 g/dL, p < 0.05), more preoperative transfusion (MD = 2.53, 95 % CI [0.01, 5.06]), less postoperative transfusion within the first 24 h (MD = -1.09, 95 % CI [-1.96, -0.22]), shorter waiting time to intervention (MD = -0.93, 95 % CI [-1.54, -0.31]), and shorter operation time of intervention (MD = -0.41, 95 % CI [-0.52, -0.30]). PP had lower mortality rate owing to uncontrolled hemorrhage in the acute phase (RR = 0.41, 95 % CI [0.22, 0.79]). There was neither difference in mortality due to other complications (RR = 1.60, 95 % CI [0.79, 3.24]), nor in total mortality (RR = 0.92, 95%CI [0.49, 1.74]) (p > 0.05). Conclusions: PP showed advantages of reducing the amount of postoperative transfusion, shortening the time of waiting and operating, and decreasing mortality due to uncontrolled hemorrhage in the acute phase without raising the odds of mortality due to complications. PP, a reliable hemostatic method, should be prioritized for resuscitating most pelvic fractures with hemodynamically unstable, especially in case of bleeding from veins and fracture sites, as well as inadequate EI.

Injectable and rapidly expandable thrombin-decorated cryogels achieve rapid hemostasis and high survival rates in a swine model of lethal junctional hemorrhage.

Effective therapies are urgently needed to stabilize patients with marginally compressible junctional hemorrhage long enough to get them to the hospital alive. Herein, we report injectable and rapidly expandable cryogels consisting of polyacrylamide and thrombin (AT cryogels) created by cryo-polymerization for the efficient management of lethal junctional hemorrhage in swine. The produced cryogels have small pore sizes and highly interconnected porous architecture with robust mechanical strength. The cryogels exhibit rapid shape memory properties and prove to be resilient against fatigue. These cryogels also show high water/blood absorption capacity, fast blood clotting effect, and enhanced adhesion of red blood cells and platelets in vitro. Further, in vivo, hemostatic efficacy tests in a lethal swine junctional hemorrhage model suggest that treatment with AT cryogels, especially AT-2 cryogels, achieves the least blood loss and the highest survival rate (100 %) compared to currently employed products such as XStat® and combat gauze. The high hemostatic performance of the cryogels may be attributed to highly interconnected porous architecture with small pore size and the use of thrombin as a pro-coagulant agent. Collectively, injectable and rapidly expandable thrombin-decorated polyacrylamide-based cryogels show significant promise as hemostatic material, offering effective management of marginally compressible junctional hemorrhages in prehospital settings.

Emergency medicine updates: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a condition commonly seen in the emergency department (ED). Therefore, it is important for emergency clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of this disease. OBJECTIVE: This paper evaluates key evidence-based updates concerning UGIB for the emergency clinician. DISCUSSION: UGIB most frequently presents with hematemesis. There are numerous causes, with the most common peptic ulcer disease, though variceal bleeding in particular can be severe. Nasogastric tube lavage for diagnosis is not recommended based on the current evidence. A hemoglobin transfusion threshold of 7 g/dL is recommended (8 g/dL in those with myocardial ischemia), but patients with severe bleeding and hemodynamic instability require emergent transfusion regardless of their level. Medications that may be used in UGIB include proton pump inhibitors, prokinetic agents, and vasoactive medications. Antibiotics are recommended for those with cirrhosis and suspected variceal bleeding. Endoscopy is the diagnostic and therapeutic modality of choice and should be performed within 24 h of presentation in non-variceal bleeding after resuscitation, though patients with variceal bleeding may require endoscopy within 12 h. Transcatheter arterial embolization or surgical intervention may be necessary. Intubation should be avoided if possible. If intubation is necessary, several considerations are required, including resuscitation prior to induction, utilizing preoxygenation and appropriate suction, and administering a prokinetic agent. There are a variety of tools available for risk stratification, including the Glasgow Blatchford Score. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of literature updates can improve the ED care of patients with UGIB.

Cerebellar mutism syndrome caused by bilateral cerebellar hemorrhage in adults: a case report and review of the literature.

Cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) is a frequent complication of surgical intervention on posterior fossa in children. It has been only occasionally reported in adults and its features have not been fully characterized. In children and in young adults, medulloblastoma is the main reason for neurosurgery. A single case of postsurgical CMS is presented in an adult patient with a cerebellar hemorrhage and a systematic review of the published individual cases of CMS in adults was done. Literature review of individual cases found 30 patients, 18/30 (60%) males, from 20 to 71 years at diagnosis. All but one case was post-surgical, but in one of the post-surgical cases iatrogenic basilar artery occlusion was proposed as cause for CMS. The causes were: primary tumors of the posterior fossa in 16/22 (72.7%) metastasis in 3/30 (10%), ischemia in 3/30 (10%) cerebellar hemorrhage in 3/30 (10%), and benign lesions in 2/30 (6.7%) patients. 8/30 patients (26.7%) were reported as having persistent or incomplete resolution of CMS within 12 months. CMS is a rare occurrence in adults and spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage has been reported in 3/30 (10%) adult patients. The generally accepted hypothesis is that CMS results from bilateral damage to the dentate nucleus or the dentate-rubro-thalamic tract, leading to cerebro-cerebellar diaschisis. Several causes might contribute in adults. The prognosis of CMS is slightly worse in adults than in children, but two thirds of cases show a complete resolution within 6 months.

Clinical characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with adrenal hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Adrenal hemorrhage (AH) is a rare condition and severe cases can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency with potentially life-threatening consequences. AH can be caused by a variety of etiologic factors, including systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The early identification and treatment of these patients improves their prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with AH. METHODS: The clinical characteristics of 6 systemic lupus erythematosus patients complicated with AH admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Beijing Shijitan Hospital from May 2004 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The diagnosis of AH was based on computed tomography (CT) findings. Two patients had bilateral lesions, and the other 4 patients had unilateral lesions. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency were observed in 2 patients. The frequent presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, lower abdominal distension, vomiting, weakness, fever, arthrodynia, and skin rash. Four patients had APS. Five patients (4 patients with APS and 1 patient without APS) had thromboembolic events. All patients received glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy. Five patients were treated with anticoagulant therapy. Follow-up imaging examinations showed a partial or total regression of the lesions after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In the proper clinical setting, having high clinical suspicion for AH, early diagnosis and timely management is crucial to avoid life-threatening adrenal insufficiency. Key Points • AH is a rare condition and severe cases may lead to death. It can be caused by a variety of etiologic factors, including SLE. • In patients with SLE, especially combined with APS, if they complain of abdominal pain, particularly when common gastrointestinal involvement is difficult to explain, a high index of clinical suspicion is needed for the diagnosis of AH. • Early identification of AH in SLE patients can improve their prognosis.

Safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coil embolization with periprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy for the treatment of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Despite growing evidence for the effectiveness of stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) in treating acutely ruptured aneurysms, the safety of stent placement in acute phase remains controversial because of concerns for stent-induced thromboembolism and hemorrhagic events attributable to the necessity of antiplatelet therapy. Therefore, we investigated the safety and efficacy of SAC with periprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) compared with the coiling-only technique to determine whether it is a promising treatment strategy for ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 203 enrolled patients with acutely ruptured aneurysms, categorizing them into two groups: SAC and coiling-only groups. Comparative analyses between the two groups regarding angiographic results, clinical outcomes, and procedure-related complications were performed. A subgroup analysis of procedural complications was conducted on patients who did not receive chronic antithrombotic medications to alleviate their influence before hospitalization. RESULTS: 130 (64.0%) patients were treated using the coiling-only technique, whereas 73 (36.0%) underwent SAC. There was a trend to a higher complete obliteration rate (p = 0.061) and significantly lower recanalization rate (p = 0.030) at angiographic follow-up in the SAC group compared to the coiling-only group. Postprocedural cerebral infarction occurred less frequently in the SAC group (8.2%) than in the coiling-only group (17.7%), showing a significant difference (p = 0.044). Although the ventriculostomy-related hemorrhage rate was significantly higher in the SAC group than in the coiling-only group (26.2% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.031), the incidence of symptomatic ventriculostomy-related hemorrhage was comparable. Subgroup analysis excluding patients receiving chronic antithrombotic medications showed similar results. CONCLUSION: SAC with periprocedural DAPT could be a safe and effective treatment strategy for acutely ruptured aneurysms. Moreover, it might have a protective effect on postprocedural cerebral infarction without increasing the risk of symptomatic hemorrhagic complications.

Maternal deaths among Brazilian indigenous women-Analysis from 2015 to 2021.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines maternal mortality among Brazilian indigenous women from 2015 to 2021, contrasting their causes of death with non-indigenous women. METHODS: An observational study utilizing Ministry of Health data analyzed maternal deaths' characteristics, comparing indigenous and non-indigenous groups based on death certificates and live-birth records. Variables included age, region, location, time, and cause of death. Maternal mortality ratios (MMR) were calculated with linear regression and outliers identified with Grubbs test. Prevalence ratios compared MMR and causes of death. RESULTS: Between 2015 to 2021, Brazil recorded 13 023 maternal deaths. Among these, with 205 among indigenous women (1.60% of total). Indigenous women had higher MMR (115.14/100 000), than non- indigenous women (66.92/100 000), consistently across years. Hemorrhagic causes notably contributed to the indigenous women's elevated MMR. CONCLUSION: Indigenous Brazilian women face elevated maternal mortality rates across all causes, primarily due to hemorrhage, contrasting wih national trends.

Pituitary Apoplexy: An Updated Review.

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is an acute, life-threatening clinical syndrome caused by hemorrhage and/or infarction of the pituitary gland. It is clinically characterized by the sudden onset of headache. Depending on the severity, it may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, varying degrees of adenohypophyseal hormone deficiency, and decreased level of consciousness. Corticotropic axis involvement may result in severe hypotension and contribute to impaired level of consciousness. Precipitating factors are present in up to 30% of cases. PA may occur at any age and sometimes develops during pregnancy or the immediate postpartum period. PA occurs more frequently in men aged 50-60, being rare in children and adolescents. It can develop in healthy pituitary glands or those affected by inflammation, infection, or tumor. The main cause of PA is usually spontaneous hemorrhage or infarction of a pituitary adenoma (pituitary neuroendocrine tumor, PitNET). It is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention and, in many cases, urgent surgical intervention and long-term follow-up. Although the majority of patients (70%) require surgery, about one-third can be treated conservatively, mainly by monitoring fluid and electrolyte levels and using intravenous glucocorticoids. There are scoring systems for PA with implications for management and therapeutic outcomes that can help guide therapeutic decisions. Management of PA requires proper evaluation and long-term follow-up by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in pituitary pathology. The aim of the review is to summarize and update the most relevant aspects of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and clinical forms, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies, and prognosis of PA.

Early Cardiac Evaluation, Abnormal Test Results, and Associations with Outcomes in Patients with Acute Brain Injury Admitted to a Neurocritical Care Unit.

Background: to examine factors associated with cardiac evaluation and associations between cardiac test abnormalities and clinical outcomes in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) due to acute ischemic stroke (AIS), spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring neurocritical care. Methods: In a cohort of patients ≥18 years, we examined the utilization of electrocardiography (ECG), beta-natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin (cTnI), and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). We investigated the association between cTnI, BNP, sex-adjusted prolonged QTc interval, low ejection fraction (EF < 40%), all-cause mortality, death by neurologic criteria (DNC), transition to comfort measures only (CMO), and hospital discharge to home using univariable and multivariable analysis (adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance carrier, pre-admission cardiac disorder, ABI type, admission Glasgow Coma Scale Score, mechanical ventilation, and intracranial pressure [ICP] monitoring). Results: The final sample comprised 11,822 patients: AIS (46.7%), sICH (18.5%), SAH (14.8%), and TBI (20.0%). A total of 63% (n = 7472) received cardiac workup, which increased over nine years (p < 0.001). A cardiac investigation was associated with increased age, male sex (aOR 1.16 [1.07, 1.27]), non-white ethnicity (aOR), non-commercial insurance (aOR 1.21 [1.09, 1.33]), pre-admission cardiac disorder (aOR 1.21 [1.09, 1.34]), mechanical ventilation (aOR1.78 [1.57, 2.02]) and ICP monitoring (aOR1.68 [1.49, 1.89]). Compared to AIS, sICH (aOR 0.25 [0.22, 0.29]), SAH (aOR 0.36 [0.30, 0.43]), and TBI (aOR 0.19 [0.17, 0.24]) patients were less likely to receive cardiac investigation. Patients with troponin 25th-50th quartile (aOR 1.65 [1.10-2.47]), troponin 50th-75th quartile (aOR 1.79 [1.22-2.63]), troponin >75th quartile (aOR 2.18 [1.49-3.17]), BNP 50th-75th quartile (aOR 2.86 [1.28-6.40]), BNP >75th quartile (aOR 4.54 [2.09-9.85]), prolonged QTc (aOR 3.41 [2.28; 5.30]), and EF < 40% (aOR 2.47 [1.07; 5.14]) were more likely to be DNC. Patients with troponin 50th-75th quartile (aOR 1.77 [1.14-2.73]), troponin >75th quartile (aOR 1.81 [1.18-2.78]), and prolonged QTc (aOR 1.71 [1.39; 2.12]) were more likely to be associated with a transition to CMO. Patients with prolonged QTc (aOR 0.66 [0.58; 0.76]) were less likely to be discharged home. Conclusions: This large, single-center study demonstrates low rates of cardiac evaluations in TBI, SAH, and sICH compared to AIS. However, there are strong associations between electrocardiography, biomarkers of cardiac injury and heart failure, and echocardiography findings on clinical outcomes in patients with ABI. Findings need validation in a multicenter cohort.

Uterine Balloon Tamponade under Ultrasound Guidance in Women with Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) represents one of the principal causes of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) is recommended for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony in women who do not respond to pharmacological first-line treatment. The success of UBT in bleeding control is related to the correct positioning of the device, since incorrect insertion can be associated with ineffectiveness and requires time-consuming repositioning maneuvers, with a further increase in blood loss. The use of ultrasound (US) during UBT may increase the success rate by preventing wrong positioning. This study aims to demonstrate the role of US guidance during UBT and to assess whether US guidance can ease positioning and reduce insertion times, preventing additional repositioning maneuvers, in comparison with a US check carried out after balloon insertion. Methods: This was a retrospective study including 370 women who underwent vaginal delivery, had PPH caused by uterine atony and required UBT at Sant'Anna Hospital from 2015 to 2019. The exclusion criteria were an abnormal placental site, vaginal or cervical trauma, coagulation defects, uterine anomalies, previous postpartum hemorrhage and previous caesarean section. Included subjects were divided into two groups: the US-guided group (n = 200) underwent Bakri balloon positioning under US guidance, and the non-guided group (n = 170) received a US check only after balloon insertion. The primary outcome was the success rate of the procedure, expressed as the percentage of cases with bleeding control without the need for balloon repositioning; the secondary outcomes were the length of the procedure and some parameters related to blood loss. Results: The success rate was 99% for the US-guided group vs. 86% for the non-guided group. None of the patients required hysterectomy. In the US-guided group with respect to the non-guided group, we observed a significant reduction in blood loss (1100 ± 450 vs. 1500 ± 600 mL; p < 0.001), Δhemoglobin level (1.8 ± 1.1 vs. 2.7 ± 2.0 g/dL, p < 0.001) and time required for the procedure (8 vs. 13 min, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of US guidance for placement of UBT was associated with reduced need for balloon repositioning, lower blood loss, and faster resolution of postpartum hemorrhage.

Efficacy and Safety Analyses of Recombinant Factor VIIa in Severe Post-Partum Hemorrhage.

Background: Despite a range of available treatments, it is still sometimes challenging to treat patients with severe post-partum hemorrhage (sPPH). Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in sPPH management. Methods: An open-label, multi-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT; NCT00370877) and four observational studies (OS; OS-1 (NCT04723979), OS-2, OS-3, and OS-4) were analyzed regarding efficacy (need for subsequent invasive procedures, including uterine compression sutures, uterine or iliac artery ligations, arterial embolization, or hysterectomy) and safety (incidence of thromboembolic events (TE) and maternal mortality) of rFVIIa for sPPH. The RCT, and OS-1 and OS-2, included a control group of women who did not receive rFVIIa (with propensity score-matching used in OS-1 and OS-2), whereas OS-3 and OS-4 provided descriptive data for rFVIIa-exposed women only. Results: A total of 446 women exposed to rFVIIa and 1717 non-exposed controls were included. In the RCT, fewer rFVIIa-exposed women (50% [21/42]) had an invasive procedure versus non-exposed women (91% [38/42]; odds ratio: 0.11; 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.35). In OS-1, more rFVIIa-exposed women (58% [22/38]) had an invasive procedure versus non-exposed women (35% [13.3/38]; odds ratio: 2.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.06-5.99). In OS-2, 17% (3/18) of rFVIIa-exposed women and 32% (5.6/17.8) of non-exposed women had an invasive procedure (odds ratio: 0.33; 95% confidence interval: 0.03-1.75). Across all included women, TEs occurred in 1.5% (0.2% arterial and 1.2% venous) of rFVIIa-exposed women and 1.6% (0.2% arterial and 1.4% venous) of non-exposed women with available data. Conclusions: The positive treatment effect of rFVIIa on the RCT was not confirmed in the OS. However, the safety analysis did not show any increased incidence of TEs with rFVIIa treatment.

Remote Ischemic Conditioning to Reduce Perihematoma Edema in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage (RICOCHET): A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Early perihematomal edema (PHE) growth is associated with worse functional outcomes at 90 days. Remote Ischemic conditioning (RIC) may reduce perihematomal inflammation if applied early to patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We hypothesize that early RIC, delivered for seven days in patients with spontaneous ICH, may reduce PHE growth. Methods: ICH patients presenting within 6 h of symptom onset and hematoma volume < 60 milliliters (mL) were randomized to an RIC + standard care or standard care (SC) group. The primary outcome measure was calculated edema extension distance (EED), with the cm assessed on day seven. Results: Sixty patients were randomized with a mean ± SD age of 57.5 ± 10.8 years, and twenty-two (36.7%) were female. The relative baseline median PHE were similar (RIC group 0.75 (0.5-0.9) mL vs. SC group 0.91 (0.5-1.2) mL, p = 0.30). The median EEDs at baseline were similar (RIC group 0.58 (0.3-0.8) cm vs. SC group 0.51 (0.3-0.8) cm, p = 0.76). There was no difference in the median day 7 EED (RIC group 1.1 (0.6-1.2) cm vs. SC group 1 (0.9-1.2) cm, p = 0.75). Conclusions: Early RIC therapy delivered daily for seven days was feasible. However, no decrease in EED was noted with the intervention.

Epidemiology Tools to Evaluate the Control of Proliferative Enteropathy in Commercial Pig Herds.

Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is characterized by diarrhea and reduced weight gains in growing pigs and intestinal hemorrhage in finishers. Vaccination, antibiotic medication, and improved hygiene can control PE, but their efficacy depends upon the epidemiology of PE. This study monitored the timing and severity of PE in 84 commercial pens across seven treatments, including disinfection, vaccination, no treatment, medication with olaquindox (50, 25 and 12.5 ppm), and combined disinfection and vaccination. Vaccination with or without lime disinfection suppressed clinical signs of PE and reduced the number of excreted L. intracellularis relative to untreated pigs housed in cleaned or cleaned and disinfected pens between 9 and 17 weeks of age. Continuous olaquindox mediation to 17 weeks of age prevented L. intracellularis infection, leaving finisher pigs naïve. These finisher pigs suffered an outbreak of hemorrhagic enteropathy with significant reductions in weight gain, feed intake, and mortalities of 4.6%. Over the 13 week grow/finish period, vaccinated pigs housed in disinfected pens showed significantly higher weight gain and feed intake relative to all other treatments, equating to a weight gain difference of between 3.6 and 3.9 kg per pig. Monitoring the immune response and fecal excretion of L. intracellularis in pens of pigs enabled effective PE control strategies to be evaluated on the farm.

Acute epidural hemorrhage following burr-hole irrigation for chronic subdural hematoma: A possible association with the diploic veins.

A 50-year-old man presented with headache and left hemiparesis. No noticeable preceding head trauma was observed. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a compressive chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The patient underwent burr-hole irrigation, during which he was considerably restless. In addition, extensive avulsion was found in the parietal dura mater posterior to the burr hole. CT performed immediately after the surgery revealed the emergence of a thick epidural hematoma (EDH) located posterior to the burr-hole. During emergency craniotomy for the EDH, there was no identifiable injury to the dura mater or the meningeal vessels. However, a review of the CT scans confirmed well-developed diploic spaces just above the center of the EDH, with connecting channels between the diploic spaces and extracranial sites. Based on these observations, we assumed that the diploic vein might have caused the EDH. Diploic veins can cause AEDH after burr hole irrigation for CSDH. Appropriate intraoperative sedation and protective irrigation maneuvers can reduce the risk of such AEDH.