Patterns and outcomes of intracranial pressure monitoring in traumatic brain injury: An analysis of the National Inpatient Sample.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) can cause progressive neurological deterioration following traumatic brain injury (TBI). ICP can be monitored to guide subsequent treatment decisions. However, there is conflicting data in the literature regarding the utility of ICP monitoring. We aim to describe patterns and outcomes of ICP monitoring in the United States with the use of a nationwide healthcare database. METHODS: We performed a 5-year analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. We identified all adult TBI patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) measuring 3-8 using International Classification of Diseases diagnostic codes. Propensity score matching (1:2 ratio) was performed to control for demographics, injury parameters and comorbidities. Outcome measures included inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS), cost of care, and discharge disposition. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, a cohort of 1664 patients was obtained (monitored, 555; non-monitored, 1109). Index outcomes with respect to monitor and no-monitor are as follows: inpatient mortality (35.1%, 42.4%, P <0.01), median LOS (15 days, 6 days, P<0.001), median total charge (289,797 USD, 154,223 USD, P <0.001), discharge home (7.9%, 19.3%, P <0.001) and discharge to another facility (53.9%, 35.4%, P <0.001). DISCUSSION: ICP monitoring in TBI patients is associated with decreased inpatient mortality and discharge to home, and it is associated with an increased hospital LOS, total charge, and chance of discharge to another facility. CONCLUSION: The risks and benefits of ICP monitoring should be seriously considered when managing adults with severe TBI.

Mortality and morbidity following initiation of anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment for blunt cerebrovascular injury.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are potential sequelae of blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI). To minimize their risk, medical therapy is used commonly. It is unclear if anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications are superior for decreasing CVA risk. It is also unclear as to which confer fewer undesirable side effects specifically in patients with BCVI. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes between nonsurgical patients with BCVI with hospital admission records who were treated with anticoagulant medications and those who were treated with antiplatelet medications. METHODS: We performed a 5-year (2016-2020) analysis of the Nationwide Readmission Database. We identified all adult trauma patients who were diagnosed with BCVI and treated with either anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. Patients who were diagnosed with index admission CVA, intracranial injury, hypercoagulable states, atrial fibrillation, and or moderate to severe liver disease were excluded. Those who underwent vascular procedures (open and/or endovascular approaches) and or neurosurgical treatment were also excluded. Propensity score matching (1:2 ratio) was performed to control for demographics, injury parameters, and comorbidities. Index admission and 6-month readmission outcomes were examined. RESULTS: We identified 2133 patients with BCVI who were treated with medical therapy; 1091 patients remained after applying the exclusion criteria. A matched cohort of 461 patients (anticoagulant, 159; antiplatelet, 302) was obtained. The median patient age was 72 years (interquartile range [IQR], 56-82 years), 46.2% of patients were female, falls were the mechanism of injury in 57.2% of cases, and the median New Injury Severity Scale score was 21 (IQR, 9-34). Index outcomes with respect to (1) anticoagulant treatments followed by (2) antiplatelet treatments and (3) P values are as follows: mortality (1.3%, 2.6%, 0.51), median length of stay (6 days, 5 days; P < .001), and median total charge (109,736 USD, 80,280 USD, 0.12). The 6-month readmission outcomes are as follows: readmission (25.8%, 16.2%, <0.05), mortality (4.4%, 4.6%, 0.91), ischemic CVA (4.9%, 4.1%, P = not significant [NS]), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (4.9%, 10.2%, 0.45), hemorrhagic CVA (0%, 0.41%, P = NS), and blood loss anemia (19.5%, 12.2%, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulants are associated with a significantly increased readmission rate within 6 months. Neither medical therapy is superior to one another in the reduction of the following: index mortality, 6-month mortality, and 6-month readmission with CVA. Notably, antiplatelet agents seem to be associated with increased hemorrhagic CVA and gastrointestinal hemorrhage on readmission, although neither association is statistically significant. Still, these associations underscore the need for further prospective studies of large sample sizes to investigate the optimal medical therapy for nonsurgical patients with BCVI with hospital admission records.