Body Composition and Physical Performance 1 Year After COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term consequences after COVID-19 include physical complaints, which may impair physical recovery and quality of life. DESIGN: We assessed body composition and physical ability in patients 12 months after COVID-19. Consecutively recruited patients recovering from mild to severe COVID-19 were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, 6-min-walk test, additional scales for physical performance and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Overall physical recovery was good (i.e., Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended ≥7 in 96%, Modified Rankin Scale ≤1 in 87%, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ≤1 in 99%). Forty-four percent of the 69 patients experienced a significant body mass index increase in the year after COVID-19 (≥1 kg/m 2 ), whereas skeletal muscle mass index was reduced in only 12%. Patients requiring intensive care treatment ( n = 15, 22%) during acute COVID-19 more often had a body mass index increase ( P = 0.002), worse 6-min-walk test-performance ( P = 0.044), and higher body fat mass ( P = 0.030) at the 1-yr follow-up when compared with patients with mild ( n = 22, 32%) and moderate ( n = 32, 46%) acute COVID-19. Body mass index increase was also more frequent in patients who had no professional rehabilitation ( P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with severe COVID-19 had increased body mass index and body fat and performed worse in physical outcome measures 1 yr after COVID-19, overall physical recovery was satisfying. Translating these findings to variants beyond the Alpha strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus needs further studies.

Distinct smell and taste disorder phenotype of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae.

PURPOSE: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) commonly accompanies coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the kinetics of OD resolution following SARS-CoV-2 infection (wild-type and alpha variant) and its impact on quality of life, physical and mental health. METHODS: OD prevalence was assessed in an ambulatory COVID-19 survey (n = 906, ≥ 90 days follow-up) and an observational cohort of ambulatory and hospitalized individuals (n = 108, 360 days follow-up). Co-occurrence of OD with other symptoms and effects on quality of life, physical and mental health were analyzed by multi-dimensional scaling, association rule mining and semi-supervised clustering. RESULTS: Both in the ambulatory COVID-19 survey study (72%) and the observational ambulatory and hospitalized cohort (41%) self-reported OD was frequent during acute COVID-19. Recovery from self-reported OD was slow (survey: median 28 days, observational cohort: 90 days). By clustering of the survey data, we identified a predominantly young, female, comorbidity-free group of convalescents with persistent OD and taste disorders (median recovery: 90 days) but low frequency of post-acute fatigue, respiratory or neurocognitive symptoms. This smell and taste disorder cluster was characterized by a high rating of physical performance, mental health, and quality of life as compared with convalescents affected by prolonged fatigue or neurocognitive complaints. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the heterogeneity of post-acute COVID-19 sequelae calling for tailored management strategies. The persistent smell and taste disorder phenotype is characterized by good clinical, physical, and mental recovery and may pose a minor challenge for public health. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04661462 (survey study), NCT04416100 (observational cohort).

The location of intraparenchymal bleeding determines functional outcome after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. A higher blood burden and the presence of intraparenchymal extension of the bleeding (intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH]) are well known predictors of poor outcome. Only few studies have addressed the role of hematoma location on patient's functional outcome. The main aims were to compare clinical and radiographic characteristics between SAH patients with and without ICH and to compare different ICH localizations in relation to long-term functional outcome. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on 280 consecutive SAH patients (aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal) admitted to a tertiary care hospital between 2010 and 2017 and assessed the initial computed tomography scans of the brain acquired after intensive care unit admission. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score >2, 3 months after SAH. We used multivariable logistic linear regression to investigate associations between ICH location and clinical variables as well as functional outcome. RESULTS: Intraparenchymal extension of the hemorrhage was observed in 59/280 patients (21%). The median (interquartile range) ICH volume was 11.3 (4.9-16.2) ml and the location was supratentorial in 55/59 patients (93%). Most parenchymal hemorrhages were located in the frontal (n = 24.41%) and temporal lobes (n = 12.21%), followed by insular ICH (n = 7.12%), corpus callosum (n = 6.10%), parietal (n = 2.3%) and occipital locations (n = 2.3%). Among SAH patients with ICH, those with lesions located in the corpus callosum (n = 6/59) had a significantly higher risk of 3-month poor functional outcome in comparison to all other ICH locations, even after adjusting for Hunt and Hess grade and age (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR] 50.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2004.2, p = 0.034). These results remained robust when comparing the whole SAH cohort (adjOR 21.7, 95% CI 1.4-347.8, p = 0.030).  CONCLUSIONS: Intraparenchymal bleeding in patients with non-traumatic SAH, in particular that involving the corpus callosum, strongly predicts functional outcome.

Cognitive dysfunction 1 year after COVID-19: evidence from eye tracking.

Increasing evidence suggests persistent cognitive dysfunction after COVID-19. In this cross-sectional study, frontal lobe function was assessed 12 months after the acute phase of the disease, using tailored eye tracking assessments. Individuals who recovered from COVID-19 made significantly more errors in all eye tracking tasks compared to age/sex-matched healthy controls. Furthermore, patients who were treated as inpatients performed worse compared to outpatients and controls. Our results show impaired inhibitory cortical control in individuals who recovered from COVID-19. The association between disease severity and its sequelae may contribute to a better understanding of post-COVID-19 cognitive function.

Neurological outcomes 1 year after COVID-19 diagnosis: A prospective longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neurological sequelae from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may persist after recovery from acute infection. Here, the aim was to describe the natural history of neurological manifestations over 1 year after COVID-19. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre, longitudinal cohort study in COVID-19 survivors was performed. At a 3-month and 1-year follow-up, patients were assessed for neurological impairments by a neurological examination and a standardized test battery including the assessment of hyposmia (16-item Sniffin' Sticks test), cognitive deficits (Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 26) and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 5). RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were evaluated 1 year after COVID-19, out of which 76 (94%) patients completed a 3-month and 1-year follow-up. Patients were 54 (47-64) years old and 59% were male. New and persistent neurological disorders were found in 15% (3 months) and 12% (10/81; 1 year). Symptoms at 1-year follow-up were reported by 48/81 (59%) patients, including fatigue (38%), concentration difficulties (25%), forgetfulness (25%), sleep disturbances (22%), myalgia (17%), limb weakness (17%), headache (16%), impaired sensation (16%) and hyposmia (15%). Neurological examination revealed findings in 52/81 (64%) patients without improvement over time (3 months, 61%, p = 0.230) including objective hyposmia (Sniffin' Sticks test <13; 51%). Cognitive deficits were apparent in 18%, whereas signs of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders were found in 6%, 29% and 10% respectively 1 year after infection. These mental and cognitive disorders had not improved after the 3-month follow-up (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that a significant patient number still suffer from neurological sequelae including neuropsychiatric symptoms 1 year after COVID-19 calling for interdisciplinary management of these patients.

Factors associated with impaired quality of life three months after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

PURPOSE: To assess patient characteristics associated with health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and its mental and physical subcategories 3 months after diagnosis with COVID-19. METHODS: In this prospective multicentre cohort study, HR-QoL was assessed in 90 patients using the SF-36 questionnaire (36-item Short Form Health Survey), which consists of 8 health domains that can be divided into a mental and physical health component. Mental health symptoms including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 (PCL-5) 3 months after COVID-19. Using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analysis, we identified factors associated with impaired HR-QoL 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. RESULTS: Patients were 55 years of age (IQR, 49-63; 39% women) and were classified as severe (23%), moderate (57%), or mild (20%) according to acute disease severity. HR-QoL was impaired in 28/90 patients (31%). Younger age [per year, adjOR (95%CI) 0.94 (0.88-1.00), p = 0.049], longer hospitalization [per day, adjOR (95%CI) 1.07 (1.01-1.13), p = 0.015], impaired sleep [adjOR (95%CI) 5.54 (1.2-25.61), p = 0.028], and anxiety [adjOR (95%CI) 15.67 (3.03-80.99), p = 0.001) were independently associated with impaired HR-QoL. Twenty-nine percent (n = 26) scored below the normal range on the mental health component of the SF-36 and independent associations emerged for anxiety, depression, and self-reported numbness. Impairments in the physical health component of the SF-36 were reported by 12 (13%) patients and linked to hypogeusia and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Every third patient reported a reduction in HR-QoL 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis and impairments were more prominent in mental than physical well-being.

Individualized blood pressure targets in the postoperative care of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Recent guidelines recommend targeting a systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mm Hg in the early management of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The optimal SBP targets for ICH patients after hematoma evacuation (HE) remain unclear. Here, the authors aimed to define the optimal SBP range based on multimodal neuromonitoring data. METHODS: Forty poor-grade ICH patients who had undergone HE and then monitoring of intracerebral pressure, brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2), and cerebral metabolism (via cerebral microdialysis [CMD]) were prospectively included. Episodes of brain tissue hypoxia (BTH) (1-hour averaged PbtO2 < 20 mm Hg) and metabolic distress (CMD-lactate/pyruvate ratio [LPR] ≥ 40) were identified and linked to corresponding parameters of hemodynamic monitoring (SBP and cerebral perfusion pressure [CPP]). Multivariable regression analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations to identify associations between SBP levels, PbtO2, and brain metabolism. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 60 (range 51-66) years and the median [IQR] initial ICH volume was 47 [29-60] ml. In multivariable models adjusted for Glasgow Coma Scale score, probe location, ICH volume, and age, lower SBP was independently associated with a higher risk of BTH (≤ 120 mm Hg: adjusted OR 2.9, p = 0.007; 120-130 mm Hg: adj OR 2.4, p = 0.002; 130-140 mm Hg: adj OR 1.6, p = 0.017) compared to a reference range of 140-150 mm Hg at the level of the foramen interventriculare Monroi, which corresponded to a CPP of 70-80 mm Hg and SBP levels between 150 and 160 mm Hg at the heart level. After exclusion of episodes with mitochondrial dysfunction, SBP targets < 140 mm Hg were associated with higher odds of cerebral metabolic distress (≤ 130 mm Hg: OR 2.5, p = 0.041; 130-140 mm Hg: OR 2.3, p = 0.033). Patients with a modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 5 at neurological ICU discharge more often exhibited BTH than patients with better outcomes (51% vs 10%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that lower SPB and CPP levels are associated with a higher risk for BTH. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether a higher SPB target may prevent BTH and improve outcomes.

Hyperactive delirium in patients after non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: Hyperactive delirium is common after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We aimed to identify risk factors for delirium and to evaluate its impact on outcome. METHODS: We collected daily Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) and Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) scores in 276 SAH patients. Hyperactive delirium was defined as ICDSC ≥4 when RASS was >0. We investigated risk factors for delirium and its association with 3-month functional outcome using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Patients were 56 (IQR 47-67) years old and had a Hunt&Hess (H&H) grade of 3 (IQR 1-5). Sixty-five patients (24%) developed hyperactive delirium 6 (IQR 3-16) days after SAH. In multivariable analysis, mechanical ventilation>48 h (adjOR = 4.46; 95%-CI = 1.89-10.56; p = 0.001), the detection of an aneurysm (adjOR = 4.38; 95%-CI = 1.48-12.97; p = 0.008), a lower H&H grade (adjOR = 0.63; 95%-CI = 0.48-0.83; p = 0.001) and a pre-treated psychiatric disorder (adjOR = 3.17; 95%-CI = 1.14-8.83; p = 0.027) were associated with the development of delirium. Overall, delirium was not associated with worse outcome (p = 0.119). Interestingly, patients with delirium more often had a modified Rankin Scale Score (mRS) of 1-3 (77%) compared to an mRS of 0 (14%) or 4-6 (9%). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that hyperactive delirium is common after SAH patients and requires a certain degree of brain connectivity based ono the highest prevalence found in SAH patients with intermediate outcomes.

Neurological outcome and quality of life 3 months after COVID-19: A prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess neurological manifestations and health-related quality of life (QoL) 3 months after COVID-19. METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study we systematically evaluated neurological signs and diseases by detailed neurological examination and a predefined test battery assessing smelling disorders (16-item Sniffin Sticks test), cognitive deficits (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), QoL (36-item Short Form), and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5) 3 months after disease onset. RESULTS: Of 135 consecutive COVID-19 patients, 31 (23%) required intensive care unit (ICU) care (severe), 72 (53%) were admitted to the regular ward (moderate), and 32 (24%) underwent outpatient care (mild) during acute disease. At the 3-month follow-up, 20 patients (15%) presented with one or more neurological syndromes that were not evident before COVID-19. These included polyneuro/myopathy (n = 17, 13%) with one patient presenting with Guillain-Barré syndrome, mild encephalopathy (n = 2, 2%), parkinsonism (n = 1, 1%), orthostatic hypotension (n = 1, 1%), and ischemic stroke (n = 1, 1%). Objective testing revealed hyposmia/anosmia in 57/127 (45%) patients at the 3-month follow-up. Self-reported hyposmia/anosmia was lower (17%) at 3 months, however, improved when compared to the acute disease phase (44%; p < 0.001). At follow-up, cognitive deficits were apparent in 23%, and QoL was impaired in 31%. Assessment of mental health revealed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorders in 11%, 25%, and 11%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite recovery from the acute infection, neurological symptoms were prevalent at the 3-month follow-up. Above all, smelling disorders were persistent in a large proportion of patients.

Total TauProtein as Investigated by Cerebral Microdialysis Increases in Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest: A Pig Study.

The understanding and neurological prognostication of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) after hypothermic cardiac arrest (CA) is limited. Recent data suggest that the protein tau (total tau) might be a useful marker for outcome in patients with HIE. This translational porcine study aimed to analyze brain physiology in relation to total tau protein release during hypothermic CA. Eight domestic pigs were studied as part of a prospective porcine study using cerebral microdialysis (CMD). CMD samples for tau analysis were collected at baseline, after reaching the targeted core temperature of 28°C (hypothermia), after hypoxic hypercapnia (partial asphyxia), and finally 20 minutes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CMD-total tau-protein was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent essay. Cerebral tau protein was slightly elevated at baseline most likely due to an insertion trauma, remained stable during hypercapnic hypoxia, and significantly (p = 0.009) increased in 8/8 pigs during resuscitation to 1335 pg/mL (interquartile range: 705-2100). CMD-tau release was associated with lower levels of brain tissue oxygen tension (p = 0.011), higher CMD-lactate/pyruvate ratio, higher CMD-lactate, CMD-glutamate, and CMD-glycerol levels (p < 0.001, respectively), but not with cerebral perfusion pressure, intracranial pressure, or CMD-glucose levels. This study demonstrates an immediate tau protein release accompanied by deranged cerebral metabolism and decreased brain tissue oxygen tension during mechanical resuscitation in hypothermic CA. Understanding tau physiology and release kinetics is important for the design and interpretation of studies investigating tau as a biomarker of HIE.

Early alterations in heart rate are associated with poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: Cardiac complications are common after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this study we intended to investigate factors associated with higher alterations in heart rate and their impact on outcome. METHODS: Eighty-eight ICH patients were included. A simplified approach to calculate heart rate variability (HRSD) in analogy to systolic blood pressure variability (SBPSD) with daily standard deviations of HR in the acute (first 24 h) and subacute phase (day1-day7) was used. Using multivariable regression, factors associated with higher HRSD and the association between higher HRSD and poor 3-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale > 3) were analyzed. All models were adjusted for age, atrial fibrillation, mechanical ventilation, vasopressor administration, and mean HR. RESULTS: Patients were 71 (IQR = 60-79) years old and presented with an admission ICH-Score of 2 (IQR = 1-3). In multivariable analysis, intraventricular hemorrhage (adjOR = 8.66, 95%-CI = 1.89-39.60, p = 0.005), a QRS complex >120 ms (adjOR = 19.02; 95%-CI = 2.08-175.05, p = 0.009) and female sex (adjOR = 4.24; 95%-CI = 1.08-16.64, p = 0.038) were associated with higher HRSD in the acute phase. A higher HRSD (adjOR = 1.29, 95%-CI = 1.01-1.66, p = 0.045) in the acute but not in the subacute phase (p = 0.764) was associated with poor 3-month outcome. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that a higher variation in heart rate in the early phase after ICH may discriminate patients with poor outcome.

An Observational Study on the Use of Intravenous Non-Opioid Analgesics and Antipyretics in Poor-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Effects on Hemodynamics and Systemic and Brain Temperature.

Intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonopioid analgesics are used to achieve normothermia or relieve pain in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We investigated the effects of paracetamol (1 g), diclofenac (75 mg) and metamizole (1 g) on systemic and cerebral hemodynamics and temperature during febrile and nonfebrile episodes after aSAH. Prospectively collected data from 77 consecutive poor-grade aSAH patients with invasive neuromonitoring were included. The burden and occurrence of hypotension (mean arterial pressure <70 mmHg), brain tissue hypoxia (PbtO2 < 20 mmHg), high intracranial pressure (>22 mmHg), low cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP <70 mmHg), and cerebral autoregulation pressure (pressure reactivity index [PRx]) during baseline (1 hour before) and 6 hours after medication were analyzed in febrile (core temperature; Tcore ≥ 38.3°C) and nonfebrile episodes. Nine hundred eighty-nine infusions (278 paracetamol, 542 diclofenac, and 169 metamizole) were administered resulting in significant reduction of core and brain temperature during febrile (49%) and nonfebrile (51%) episodes (p < 0.001). In febrile cases, temperature decreased for >1 hour below 37.5°C in 36% of interventions and ≤37°C in 11%. Hemodynamic side effects with hypotension and low CPP occurred in both febrile and nonfebrile episodes (p < 0.001) prompting increased vasopressor support in 31% of cases, even more pronounced during the vasospasm period (4-12 days postictus) (OR 5.4, 95% CI 1.8-16). The magnitude of PbtO2-decrease is directly correlated with the decrease in Tcore (p = 0.002) and higher baseline PbtO2 (p < 0.001). PRx decreased in febrile and nonfebrile episodes (p < 0.001), indicating improvement of cerebrovascular autoregulation. Antipyretics were insufficient to achieve sustained normothermia in poor-grade aSAH patients. Hemodynamic side effects were common even when given as analgesic drugs. Further studies are needed to weigh hemodynamic side effects to benefits (inter alia improved cerebral autoregulation).

Fluid Intake But Not Fluid Balance Is Associated With Poor Outcome in Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Optimal fluid management is important in patients with acute brain injury, including subarachnoid hemorrhage. We aimed to examine the relationship between daily fluid intake and fluid balance with hospital complications and functional outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Neurocritical care unit at a tertiary academic medical center. PATIENTS: Two-hundred thirty-seven consecutive nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage patients admitted to the neurologic ICU between 2010 and 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Total daily amount of fluids and fluid balance were calculated over 15 days. Using multivariate generalized estimating equation models the association of daily fluid intake and fluid balance with disease severity, hospital complications and poor functional outcome (3-mo modified Rankin Score ≥ 3) was investigated. Additionally, we described the composition of fluids given. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients presented with a median admission Hunt and Hess grade of 3 (interquartile range, 1-5) and were 57 years old (interquartile range, 47-67 yr old). A higher daily fluid intake was associated with higher admission Hunt and Hess grade (odds ratio, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.47-1.76; p < 0.001), increased pulmonary fluid accumulation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.21; p = 0.033), prolonged mechanical ventilation (Wald statistic = 20.08; degrees of freedom = 1; p < 0.001), higher daily Subarachnoid hemorrhage Early Brain Edema Score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; p = 0.034), occurrence of anemia (adjusted odds ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.20-1.54; p < 0.001), delayed cerebral ischemia (adjusted odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14-1.51; p < 0.001), and poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.41; p < 0.001). Daily fluid balance was associated with higher admission Hunt and Hess grade (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.05-1.13; p < 0.001) and anemia (adjusted odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03-1.33; p = 0.019). The main contributors to fluids were nutritional compounds (31%), IV drugs (30%), and volume substitution (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a significant association of fluid intake but not fluid balance with hospital complications and poor functional outcome in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. A larger prospective study is needed to confirm our results.

A reduced concentration of brain interstitial amino acids is associated with depression in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

The amino-acids tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine seem to play an important role in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. We measured daily brain extracellular levels of these amino-acids using cerebral microdialysis (CMD) and high performance liquid chromatography in 26 consecutive subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients and associated them with the presence of depressive disorders. Patients were grouped as follows: medical history of depression (prior to SAH), antidepressant intake 12 months after SAH (but not before), or neither. CMD-tryptophan, CMD-phenylalanine and CMD-tyrosine levels were significantly lower in patients with preexisting depressive disorders compared to those without depression (p < 0.01). Disease severity and SAH-related complications were not associated with amino-acid concentrations. We found a positive correlation between nutritionally administered and brain interstitial levels of tryptophan and phenylalanine in non-depressed patients (R = 0.26 and R = 0.24, p < 0.05), which was not present in patients with preexisting depression (p > 0.1). In conclusion, brain interstitial levels of tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine measured in the context of the clinical management of SAH were significantly decreased in patients with a medical history of depression. This study supports the hypothesis that the availability of these neurotransmitter precursor amino-acids in the human brain may play an important role in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders.

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome as Predictor of Poor Outcome in Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a life-threatening disease associated with high mortality and morbidity. A substantial number of patients develop systemic inflammatory response syndrome. We aimed to identify risk factors for systemic inflammatory response syndrome development and to evaluate the role of systemic inflammatory response syndrome on patients' outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Neurocritical care unit at a tertiary academic medical center. PATIENTS: Two-hundred and ninety-seven consecutive nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage patients admitted to the neurologic ICU between 2010 and 2017. INTERVENTIONS: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was diagnosed based on greater than or equal to two criteria (hypo-/hyperthermia, tachypnea, leukopenia/leukocytosis, tachycardia) and defined as early (≤ 3 d) and delayed (days 6-10) systemic inflammatory response syndrome burden (systemic inflammatory response syndrome positive days within the first 10 d). Using multivariate analysis, risk factors for the development of early and delayed systemic inflammatory response syndrome and the relationship of systemic inflammatory response syndrome with poor 3-month functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 3) were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients had early systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and 69% developed delayed systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Median systemic inflammatory response syndrome burden was 60% (interquartile range, 10-90%). Risk factors for early systemic inflammatory response syndrome were higher admission Hunt and Hess grade (odds ratio, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.09-2.83; p = 0.02), aneurysm clipping (odds ratio, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.02-23.05; p = 0.048), and higher modified Fisher Scale score (odds ratio, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.25-2.89; p = 0.003). Hunt and Hess grade and pneumonia were independently associated with delayed systemic inflammatory response syndrome development. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome burden (area under the curve, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79-0.88) had a higher predictive value for 3-month poor outcome compared with early systemic inflammatory response syndrome (area under the curve, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70-0.81; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is common after subarachnoid hemorrhage and independently contributes to poor functional outcome. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome burden more accurately predicts poor outcome than early systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Clinical Use of Cerebral Microdialysis in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-State of the Art.

OBJECTIVE: To review the published literature on the clinical application of cerebral microdialysis (CMD) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients and to summarize the evidence relating cerebral metabolism to pathophysiology, secondary brain injury, and outcome. METHODS: Study selection: Two reviewers identified all manuscripts reporting on the clinical use of CMD in aneurysmal SAH patients from MEDLINE. All identified studies were grouped according to their focus on brain metabolic changes during the early and subacute phase after SAH, their association with mechanisms of secondary brain injury and outcome. RESULTS: The review demonstrated: (1) limited literature is available in the very early phase before the aneurysm is secured. (2) Brain metabolic changes related to early and delayed secondary injury mechanisms may be used in addition to other neuromonitoring parameters in the critical care management of SAH patients. (3) CMD markers of ischemia may detect delayed cerebral ischemia early (up to 16 h before onset), underlining the importance of trend analysis. (4) Various CMD-derived parameters may be associated with patient outcome at 3-12 months, including CMD-lactate-to-pyruvate-ratio, CMD-glucose, and CMD-glutamate. CONCLUSION: The clinical use of CMD is an emerging area in the literature of aneurysmal SAH patients. Larger prospective multi-center studies on interventions based on CMD findings are needed.

Neuroinflammation is Associated with Brain Extracellular TAU-Protein Release After Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Animal data suggest an association between neuroinflammation and secondary brain injury including axonal injury after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We sought to study the association between brain extracellular interleukin (IL)-6 and TAU-protein levels as a surrogate marker for neuroinflammation and axonal injury in patients with poor grade aSAH. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from 26 consecutive poor-grade aSAH patients with multimodal neuromonitoring including cerebral microdialysis (CMD) were retrospectively analyzed. IL-6 and TAU-protein levels were analyzed using ELISA from a single CMD-sample every 24 hours and correlated with brain metabolic and hemodynamic parameters. Patients were dichotomized to highgrade (N=10) or low-grade (N=16) neuroinflammation according to their median CMD-IL-6 levels. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations to account for multiple within-subject measurements. RESULTS: Perilesional probe location (P=0.02) and aSAH related intracerebral hemorrhage (aICH) volume (P=0.003) at admission were associated with high-grade neuroinflammation. Brain extracellular TAU-protein levels (P=0.001), metabolic distress and delayed cerebral infarction (DCI; P=0.001) were linked to high-grade neuroinflammation. Relative or absolute phosphor-TAU levels were not correlated with CMD-IL-6 levels. High-grade neuroinflammation was a predictor for worse outcome three months after ictus, independently from probe location, initial Hunt&Hess grade and age (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Neuroinflammation after aSAH is associated with intraparenchymal bleeding, deranged cerebral metabolism and TAU-protein release. The impact of potential anti-inflammatory treatment strategies on secondary brain injury after aSAH has to be investigated in future studies.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a well-known complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and has been rarely described in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Case report and review of literature. RESULTS: Here, we report a 73-year-old woman with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) presenting in cardiogenic shock. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) was diagnosed by repeated echocardiography. Cardiovascular support by inotropic agents led to hemodynamic stabilization after initiation of levosimendan. Cardiac function fully recovered within 21 days. We performed an in-depth literature review and identified 16 reported patients with TBI and TC. Clinical course and characteristics are discussed in the context of our patient. CONCLUSION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is under-recognized after TBI and may negatively impact outcome if left untreated.

Spreading depolarizations in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Association with perihematomal edema progression.

Pathophysiologic mechanisms of secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage and in particular mechanisms of perihematomal-edema progression remain incompletely understood. Recently, the role of spreading depolarizations in secondary brain injury was established in ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury patients. Its role in intracerebral hemorrhage patients and in particular the association with perihematomal-edema is not known. A total of 27 comatose intracerebral hemorrhage patients in whom hematoma evacuation and subdural electrocorticography was performed were studied prospectively. Hematoma evacuation and subdural strip electrode placement was performed within the first 24 h in 18 patients (67%). Electrocorticography recordings started 3 h after surgery (IQR, 3-5 h) and lasted 157 h (median) per patient and 4876 h in all 27 patients. In 18 patients (67%), a total of 650 spreading depolarizations were observed. Spreading depolarizations were more common in the initial days with a peak incidence on day 2. Median electrocorticography depression time was longer than previously reported (14.7 min, IQR, 9-22 min). Postoperative perihematomal-edema progression (85% of patients) was significantly associated with occurrence of isolated and clustered spreading depolarizations. Monitoring of spreading depolarizations may help to better understand pathophysiologic mechanisms of secondary insults after intracerebral hemorrhage. Whether they may serve as target in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage deserves further research.

Longitudinal profile of iron accumulation in good-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: MRI parameters of iron concentration (R2*, transverse relaxation rate), microstructural integrity (mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy), as well as gray and white matter volumes were analyzed in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and uncomplicated clinical course to detect the evolution of brain tissue changes 3 weeks and 12 months after ictus. METHODS: MRI scans of 14 SAH patients (aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery, n = 5; no aneurysm n = 9) were compared with 14 age-matched healthy control subjects. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was applied to objectively identify focal changes of MRI parameters throughout the entire brain and to correlate image parameters with neuropsychological measures. RESULTS: SPM localized significant bilateral increases in R2* signal within the white matter compartment of the temporal and parietal lobe and the cingulate gyrus (P < 0.001) which did not change significantly at 12 months. Significant gray matter volume reduction of the left insula and superior temporal gyrus (P < 0.001), as well as decreases in fractional anisotropy of the cingulate gyrus (P < 0.01) were also evident at 12 months. Significant correlations were found between fractional anisotropy signal alterations adjacent to the left middle and superior frontal gyrus and cognitive parameters of executive dysfunction (P < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: The study indicates that iron is trapped predominantly throughout large portions of the white matter compartment in SAH patients at 12 months postbleeding. Increased disintegration of fiber tracts colocalizing with iron overload and correlating with lower executive function performance suggests that the white matter compartment is primarily susceptible toward long-term damage in patients with good clinical grade SAH.