Multimodal monitoring intracranial pressure by invasive and noninvasive means.

Although the placement of an intraventricular catheter remains the gold standard method for the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension (ICH), the technique has several limitations including but not limited to its invasiveness. Current noninvasive methods, however, still lack robust evidence to support their clinical use. We aimed to estimate, as an exploratory hypothesis generating analysis, the discriminative power of four noninvasive methods to diagnose ICH. We prospectively collected data from adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), and ischemic stroke (IS) in whom invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring had been placed. Measures were simultaneously collected from the following noninvasive methods: optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), pulsatility index (PI) using transcranial Doppler (TCD), a 5-point visual scale designed for brain Computed Tomography (CT), and two parameters (time-to-peak [TTP] and P2/P1 ratio) of a noninvasive ICP wave morphology monitor (Brain4Care[B4c]). ICH was defined as a sustained ICP > 20 mmHg for at least 5 min. We studied 18 patients (SAH = 14; ICH = 3; IS = 1) on 60 occasions with a mean age of 52 ± 14.3 years. All methods were recorded simultaneously, except for the CT, which was performed within 24 h of the other methods. The median ICP was 13 [9.8-16.2] mmHg, and intracranial hypertension was present on 18 occasions (30%). Median values from the noninvasive techniques were ONSD 4.9 [4.40-5.41] mm, PI 1.22 [1.04-1.43], CT scale 3 points [IQR: 3.0], P2/P1 ratio 1.16 [1.09-1.23], and TTP 0.215 [0.193-0.237]. There was a significant statistical correlation between all the noninvasive techniques and invasive ICP (ONSD, r = 0.29; PI, r = 0.62; CT, r = 0.21; P2/P1 ratio, r = 0.35; TTP, r = 0.35, p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The area under the curve (AUC) to estimate intracranial hypertension was 0.69 [CIs = 0.62-0.78] for the ONSD, 0.75 [95% CIs 0.69-0.83] for the PI, 0.64 [95%Cis 0.59-069] for CT, 0.79 [95% CIs 0.72-0.93] for P2/P1 ratio, and 0.69 [95% CIs 0.60-0.74] for TTP. When the various techniques were combined, an AUC of 0.86 [0.76-0.93]) was obtained. The best pair of methods was the TCD and B4cth an AUC of 0.80 (0.72-0.88). Noninvasive technique measurements correlate with ICP and have an acceptable discrimination ability in diagnosing ICH. The multimodal combination of PI (TCD) and wave morphology monitor may improve the ability of the noninvasive methods to diagnose ICH. The observed variability in non-invasive ICP estimations underscores the need for comprehensive investigations to elucidate the optimal method-application alignment across distinct clinical scenarios.

Waveform Morphology as a Surrogate for ICP Monitoring: A Comparison Between an Invasive and a Noninvasive Method.

BACKGROUND: Although the placement of an intraventricular catheter remains the gold standard technique for measuring intracranial pressure (ICP), the method has several limitations. Therefore, noninvasive alternatives to ICP (ICPni) measurement are of great interest. The main objective of this study was to compare the correlation and agreement of wave morphology between ICP (standard intraventricular ICP monitoring) and a new ICPni monitor in patients admitted with stroke. The second objective was to estimate the discrimination of the noninvasive method to detect intracranial hypertension. METHODS: We prospectively collected data of adults admitted to an intensive care unit with subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, or ischemic stroke in whom an invasive ICP monitor was placed. Measurements were simultaneously collected from two parameters [time-to-peak (TTP) and the ratio regarding the second and first peak of the ICP wave (P2/P1 ratio)] of ICP and ICPni wave morphology monitors (Brain4care). Intracranial hypertension was defined as an invasively measured sustained ICP > 20 mm Hg for at least 5 min. RESULTS: We studied 18 patients (subarachnoid hemorrhage = 14; intracerebral hemorrhage = 3; ischemic stroke = 1) on 60 occasions with a median age of 52 ± 14.3 years. A total of 197,400 waves (2495 min) from both ICP (standard ICP monitoring) and the ICPni monitor were sliced into 1-min-long segments, and we determined TTP and the P2/P1 ratio from the mean pulse. The median invasively measured ICP was 13 (9.8-16.2) mm Hg, and intracranial hypertension was present on 18 occasions (30%). The correlation and agreement between invasive and noninvasive methods for wave morphology were strong for the P2/P1 ratio and moderate for TTP using categoric (κ agreement 88.1% and 71.3%, respectively) and continuous (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.831 and 0.584, respectively) measures. There was a moderate but significant correlation with the mean ICP value (P2/P1 ratio r = 0.427; TTP r = 0.353; p < 0.001 for all) between noninvasive and invasive techniques. The areas under the curve to estimate intracranial hypertension were 0.786 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-0.93] for the P2/P1 ratio and 0.694 (95% CI 0.60-0.74) for TTP. CONCLUSIONS: The new ICPni wave morphology monitor showed a good agreement with the standard invasive method and an acceptable discriminatory power to detect intracranial hypertension. Clinical trial registration Trial registration: NCT05121155.

Kinetics of cerebral blood flow velocities during treatment for delayed cerebral ischemia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: In aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), one of the main determinants of prognosis is delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is used to monitor vasospasm and DCI. We aimed to better understand cerebral hemodynamics response to hypertension induction (HI) with norepinephrine (NE) and inotropic therapy with milrinone so that TCD can be a bedside tool in helping to guide DCI therapies. Our primary objective was to determine TCD blood flow velocity (BFV) kinetics during HI and inotropic therapy for DCI treatment. Secondly, we performed an analysis by treatment subgroups and evaluated clinical response to therapies. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational cohort study in a Brazilian high-volume center for aSAH. Patients with aSAH admitted between 2016 and 2018 who received NE or milrinone for DCI treatment were included. TCDs were performed before therapy initiation (t0) and 45 (t1) and 90 min (t2) from the onset of therapy. For each DCI event, we analyzed the highest mean flow velocity (MFV) and the mean MFV and compared their kinetics over time. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was determined at t0, t1, and t2. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients with aSAH were admitted during the study period. Twenty-one (21.4%) developed DCI, of whom six had DCI twice, leading to a total of 27 analyzed DCI events (12 treated with HI and 15 with milrinone). Patients treated with NE had their mean arterial pressure raised (85 mm Hg in t0, 112 mm Hg in t2 [p < 0.001]), whereas those treated with milrinone had a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure over treatment (94 mm Hg in t0, 88 mm Hg in t2 [p = 0.004]). Among all treated patients, there was a significant drop from t0 to t2 but not to t1 in the highest MFV and in the highest mean MFV. Among those treated with HI, there were no significant changes from t0 to t1 or t2 (highest MFV in t0 163.2 cm/s, in t1 172.9 cm/s [p = 0.27], and in t2 164 cm/s [p = 0.936]). Conversely, in those treated with milrinone, there was a significant decrease from t0 to t1 and to t2 (highest MFV in t0 197.1 cm/s, in t1 172.8 cm/s [p = 0.012], in t2 159 cm/s [p = 0.002]). Regarding clinical outcomes, we observed a significant improvement in mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores from 17 to 16 in t1 (p < 0.001) and to 15 in t2 (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: BFV analyzed by TCD in patients with aSAH who developed DCI and were treated with milrinone or NE significantly decreased in a time-dependent way. Milrinone effectively decrease cerebral BFV, whereas NE do not. Clinical improvement was achieved with both treatment strategies.

Management of acute stroke and urgent neurointerventional procedures during COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations on the Scientific Department on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, Brazilian Society of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Brazilian Society of Neuroradiology.

INTRODUCTION: Although the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) pandemic poses new challenges to the healthcare system to provide support for thousands of patients, there is special concern about common medical emergencies, such as stroke, that will continue to occur and will require adequate treatment. The allocation of both material and human resources to fight the pandemic cannot overshadow the care for acute stroke, a time-sensitive emergency that with an inefficient treatment will further increase mortality and long-term disability. OBJECTIVE: This paper summarizes the recommendations from the Scientific Department on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, the Brazilian Society of Cerebrovascular Diseases and the Brazilian Society of Neuroradiology for management of acute stroke and urgent neuro-interventional procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including proper use of screening tools, personal protective equipment (for patients and health professionals), and patient allocation.

Management of acute stroke and urgent neurointerventional procedures during COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations on the Scientific Department on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, Brazilian Society of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Brazilian Society of Neuroradiology / Tratamento do acidente vascular cerebral agudo e realização de procedimentos de neurointervenção urgentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19: recomendações do Departamento Científico de Doenças Cerebrovasculares da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Sociedade Brasileira de Doenças Cerebrovasculares e Sociedade Brasileira de Neurorradiologia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) pandemic poses new challenges to the healthcare system to provide support for thousands of patients, there is special concern about common medical emergencies, such as stroke, that will continue to occur and will require adequate treatment. The allocation of both material and human resources to fight the pandemic cannot overshadow the care for acute stroke, a time-sensitive emergency that with an inefficient treatment will further increase mortality and long-term disability. Objective: This paper summarizes the recommendations from the Scientific Department on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, the Brazilian Society of Cerebrovascular Diseases and the Brazilian Society of Neuroradiology for management of acute stroke and urgent neuro-interventional procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including proper use of screening tools, personal protective equipment (for patients and health professionals), and patient allocation.

RESUMO Introdução: A pandemia causada pelo novo coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) apresenta novos e importantes desafios à gestão de saúde no Brasil. Além da difícil missão de prestar atendimento aos milhares de pacientes infectados pelo COVID-19, os sistemas de saúde têm que manter a assistência às emergências médicas comuns em períodos sem pandemia, tais como o acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), que continuam ocorrendo e requerem tratamento com presteza e eficiência. A alocação de recursos materiais e humanos para o enfrentamento à pandemia não pode comprometer o atendimento ao AVC agudo, uma emergência cujo tratamento é tempo-dependente e se não realizado implica em importante impacto na mortalidade e incapacitação a longo prazo. Objetivo: Este trabalho resume as recomendações do Departamento Científico de Doenças Cerebrovasculares da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, da Sociedade Brasileira de Doenças Cerebrovasculares e da Sociedade Brasileira de Neurorradiologia para o tratamento do AVC agudo e para a realização de procedimentos de neurointervenção urgentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19, incluindo o uso adequado de ferramentas de triagem e equipamentos de proteção pessoal (para pacientes e profissionais de saúde), além da alocação apropriada de pacientes.

Brazilian guidelines for endovascular treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke.

These guidelines are the result of a joint effort from writing groups of the Brazilian Stroke Society, the Scientific Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, the Brazilian Stroke Network and the Brazilian Society of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Neuroradiology. Members from these groups participated in web-based discussion forums with predefined themes, followed by videoconference meetings in which controversies and position statements were discussed, leading to a consensus. This guidelines focuses on the implications of the recent clinical trials on endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke due to proximal arterial occlusions, and the final text aims to guide health care providers, health care managers and public health authorities in managing patients with this condition in Brazil.

"Man in the Barrel" Syndrome with Anterior Spinal Artery Infarct due to Vertebral Artery Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Man in the barrel syndrome (MBS) is a condition of brachial diplegia initially described after a bilateral watershed cerebral infarct between the anterior and the middle cerebral artery territories. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of MBS as a consequence of anterior spinal artery infarct due to vertebral artery dissection. DISCUSSION: More recently, nonischemic lesions in brain and brain stem have also been described as etiologies of MBS. There are few reports describing spinal cord infarction leading to MBS. The anterior spinal artery syndrome with only brachial diplegia also represents a rare and atypical pattern. CONCLUSION: The conventional neurological consideration that MBS provides a precise anatomical localization is now challenged. The finding of a brachial diplegia leads to the need to investigate the brain, the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system.

Brazilian guidelines for endovascular treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke / Diretrizes brasileiras para o tratamento endovascular de pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo

ABSTRACT These guidelines are the result of a joint effort from writing groups of the Brazilian Stroke Society, the Scientific Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, the Brazilian Stroke Network and the Brazilian Society of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Neuroradiology. Members from these groups participated in web-based discussion forums with predefined themes, followed by videoconference meetings in which controversies and position statements were discussed, leading to a consensus. This guidelines focuses on the implications of the recent clinical trials on endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke due to proximal arterial occlusions, and the final text aims to guide health care providers, health care managers and public health authorities in managing patients with this condition in Brazil.

RESUMO Estas diretrizes são o resultado de um esforço conjunto de membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Doenças Cerebrovasculares (SBDCV), Departamento científico de Doenças Cerebrovasculares da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABN), Rede Brasil AVC (RBAVC) e da Sociedade Brasileira de Neurorradiologia Diagnóstica e Terapêutica (SBNR). Membros destas 4 entidades participaram de fórum de discussões por internet de temas pré-definidos, seguidos de encontros de videoconferência para discussão de pontos controversos e das recomendações, em busca de um consenso final. Estas diretrizes tem seu foco sobre as implicações dos recentes ensaios clínicos de tratamento endovascular do acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) isquêmico agudo relacionado a oclusão de artérias proximais. O texto final foi elaborado para servir de orientação no manejo destes pacientes AVC isquêmico pelos diferentes profissionais de saúde, gestores de saúde pública e de saúde complementar no Brasil.