Fístula Carótido Cavernosa. Utilidad del ultrasonido Doppler en el diagnóstico / Cavernous carotid fistula. Utility of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis

Resumen Introducción: Las fístulas carótido cavernosas son malformaciones vasculares infrecuentes que generan un shunt arteriovenoso patológico que compromete el funcionamiento ocular. El diagnóstico definitivo se establece a través de una arteriografía cerebral. Sin embargo, su carácter invasivo limita su uso en el seguimiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es ilustrar el valor del estudio con ultrasonido doppler transcraneal para el diagnóstico y describir los parámetros de flujo que pudieran modificarse. Pacientes: Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de las historias clínicas de los pacientes atendidos con diagnóstico de fistula carótido cavernosa en la unidad de ictus del Hospital CQ Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, entre enero de 2005 y mayo de 2014. Se recogieron variables demográficas y de la enfermedad, así como los resultados de los estudios de imagen y ultrasonido. Resultados: Se describen las características clínicas e imagenológicas de tres enfermos en los que se confirmó el diagnóstico. En los dos pacientes con comunicaciones directas, se registró un aumento de la velocidad media de flujo en la vena oftálmica, arterializada, con disminución de la pulsatilidad; sumado a aumento en la velocidad de pico diastólico en la arteria carótida interna ipsilateral a la fístula. En el paciente con la fístula indirecta los cambios fueron menos marcados. Conclusión: El estudio con ultrasonido fue de utilidad en el diagnóstico de las fístulas carótido cavernosa. Mostró diferencias en parámetros de flujo que pueden servir para clasificar las fistulas.

Abstract Introduction: Carotid cavernous fistulas are infrequent vascular malformations that generate a pathological arteriovenous shunt, which compromises ocular function. The definitive diagnosis is established by cerebral arteriography. However, its invasive nature limits its use in follow-up. The aim of this work is to illustrate the value of the study with transcranial doppler ultrasound for the diagnosis of cavernous carotid fistulas and to describe the flow parameters that could be modified. Patients: A retrospective review of the clinical histories of the patients treated with a diagnosis of cavernous carotid fistula was carried out in the stroke unit of the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana, between January 2005 and May 2014. Demographic and disease variables were collected, as well as the results of imaging and ultrasound studies. Results: We describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of three patients in whom carotid cavernous fistula was confirmed. In the two patients with direct communications, an increase of the mean flow velocity in the ophthalmic vein, arterialized, with decrease in pulsatility were registered; in addition to an increase in the diastolic peak velocity in the internal carotid artery ipsilateral to the fistula. In the patient with the indirect fistula the changes were less marked. Conclusion: The ultrasound study was useful in the diagnosis of carotid cavernous fistulas, showing differences in the flow parameters that can be used to classify the fistulas.

Predictores de resangrado en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática y retardo del tratamiento neuroquirúrgico / Re-bleeding predictors in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and delayed neurosurgical treatment

Objetivo: Evaluar los factores predictores de resangrado en los pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática y tratamiento neuroquirúrgico tardío. Pacientes y método: Se realizó un estudio tipo cohorte prospectivo con los 261 pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras en La Habana, Cuba, en el periodo comprendido entre octubre de 2005 y junio de 2014, con diagnóstico de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática. Resultados: En el análisis multivariado se encontró que los grados III y IV de las escalas de la Federación Mundial de Neurocirujanos (III-OR 2,01; 95% CI 1,06-3,84; IV-OR 3,84, 95% CI 2,06-7,31) y de Fisher (III-OR 2,04; 95% CI 1,01-4,13; IV-OR 2,12; 95% CI 1,05-4,28), los aneurismas localizados en la arteria comunicante anterior (OR 1,57; 95% CI 1,00-2,46) y de circulación posterior (OR 2,45; 95% CI 1,33-4,44), así como el antecedente personal de hipertensión arterial (OR 2,70; 95% CI 1,00-7,30) fueron asociados a un incremento del riesgo de resangrado, mientras que la cifras de tensión arterial, las de glucemia, los aneurismas múltiples y la localización en la arteria cerebral media no mostró esta relación. Conclusiones: Los antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, los peores grados en las escalas de Fisher y de la Federación Mundial de Neurocirujanos, así como la localización de los aneurismas fueron factores de riesgo independientes de resangrado en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática y tratamiento neuroquirúrgico tardío

Objective: To evaluate the re-bleeding predictors in patients with delayed treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients and methods: A prospective cohort study enrolled 261 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, attending in Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital from October 2005, and June 2014. Results: An increased re-bleeding risk in the multivariate analysis was associated with grade III (OR 2.01; 95% CI; 1.06-3.84) and grade IV (OR 3.84; 95% CI; 2.06-7.31) on World Federation Neurological Surgeon (WFNS) scale; grade III (OR 2.04; 95% CI; 1.01-4.13) and grade IV (OR 2.12, 95% CI; 1.05-4.28) on the Fischer scale, aneurism location in posterior circulation (OR 2.45, 95% CI; 1.33-4.44), and anterior communicant artery (OR 1.57, 95% CI;1.00-2.46). Hypertension history was present in 60.9% (159 patients) and was also associated with risk of re-bleeding (OR 2.70, 95% CI; 1.00-7.30). Blood pressure, haematocrit, glycemic, aneurysm size, multiple aneurysms, and location in the middle cerebral artery, do not show any relationship. Conclusion: Hypertension history, poor grade (III and IV) on WFNS and Fisher scale and aneurysm location were independent risks factors of re-bleeding in patients with delayed aneurysmal treatment

[Re-bleeding predictors in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and delayed neurosurgical treatment]. / Predictores de resangrado en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática y retardo del tratamiento neuroquirúrgico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the re-bleeding predictors in patients with delayed treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study enrolled 261 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, attending in Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital from October 2005, and June 2014. RESULTS: An increased re-bleeding risk in the multivariate analysis was associated with grade III (OR 2.01; 95% CI; 1.06-3.84) and grade IV (OR 3.84; 95% CI; 2.06-7.31) on World Federation Neurological Surgeon (WFNS) scale; grade III (OR 2.04; 95% CI; 1.01-4.13) and grade IV (OR 2.12, 95% CI; 1.05-4.28) on the Fischer scale, aneurism location in posterior circulation (OR 2.45, 95% CI; 1.33-4.44), and anterior communicant artery (OR 1.57, 95% CI;1.00-2.46). Hypertension history was present in 60.9% (159 patients) and was also associated with risk of re-bleeding (OR 2.70, 95% CI; 1.00-7.30). Blood pressure, haematocrit, glycemic, aneurysm size, multiple aneurysms, and location in the middle cerebral artery, do not show any relationship. CONCLUSION: Hypertension history, poor grade (III and IV) on WFNS and Fisher scale and aneurysm location were independent risks factors of re-bleeding in patients with delayed aneurysmal treatment.

Momento quirúrgico apoyado con doppler transcraneal en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática / Surgical timing supported by transcranial doppler in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurisms rupture

Introducción: La cirugía de la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA) realizada en las primeras 72 horas es beneficiosa. Cuando los casos arriban transcurrido este período el mejor momento quirúrgico es controversial. Objetivo. Evaluar la influencia sobre los resultados de la cirugía en la HSA de un protocolo para decidir el momento quirúrgico apoyado en el monitoreo con Doppler transcraneal (DTC). Material y Método: Se comparan los resultados quirúrgicos al alta y al año de seguimiento según la escala de Glasgow para resultados (EGR), en una serie de 233 casos con HSA rotos operados Enero de 2006 - Diciembre de 2010 y seguidos hasta Enero de 2012, en los que la cirugía en el período intermedio se decidió teniendo en cuenta las velocidades de flujo de los segmentos proximales del polígono de Willis registradas por DTC, con los de un grupo control histórico operado Diciembre de 1983 - Diciembre de 2005 sin la ayuda de dicho monitoreo. Resultados: La mortalidad al alta y al año en la serie de estudio fue de 4,3 y 4,5 por ciento y en el grupo control 7 y 7,7 por ciento respectivamente. Se observaron resultados satisfactorios (grados 4 y 5 en EGR) en el 93,1 al alta y 92,8 por ciento al año en la serie de estudio. Entre los controles históricos estos índices fueron 85,6 y 88,1 por ciento respectivamente (p = 0,004 y p = 0,036). Conclusiones: Los resultados del tratamiento microquirúrgico de la HSA se benefician con la atención protocolizada y la consideración de los resultados del DTC para seleccionar el momento quirúrgico.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) surgery, practiced in the first 72 hours is beneficial. The optimal surgical timing, for microsurgical clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, remains controversial when patients arrive between 4 and 14 days. Some surgeons favor a prompt operation regardless the timing. Other ones prefer to wait 2 weeks. Most patients in developing countries are taken to neurosurgical attention late, which not permit an early surgery. Object. To evaluate the surgical outcome in a series of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) managed according to a dynamic protocol. Methods: The authors evaluated surgical outcome by means of Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score in a series of 233 patients with SAH who received neurosurgical clipping in the years 2006-2010 and were followed until January 2012, whose surgical timing was decided according to transcranial Doppler (TD) monitoring. These outcomes were compared with results in a series of 445 historic controls operated 1983-2005. Results: Series mortality at the discharge and at the year were 4.3 and 4.5 percent, and 7 and 7.7 percent in the control group respectively. Series show good outcomes (grade 4 and grade 5 in GOS score) in 93.1 at the discharge and 92.8 percent at the year. Among the historic controls cases with good outcome were 85.6 and 88.1 percent respectively (p = 0.004 y p = 0.036). Conclusions: Surgical outcomes of SAH can be favored by the impact of protocolized attention and TD to decide the best surgical timing in SAH.

Resultados quirúrgicos de los pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática que recibieron atenciónprotocolizada en el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras / Surgical results of patients with aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by protocolized approach in “Hermanos Ameijeiras” Hospital

Objetivo: Valorar las características basales de una serie de pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática y el impacto sobrelos resultados quirúrgicos de un protocolo de manejo dinámico basado fundamentalmente en el ultrasonido Doppler transcraneal.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal en 233 pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática operados en el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras durante el período 2006–2010 y evaluados posoperatoriamente por un año.Resultados: La edad media fue 49,19 años. El sexo femenino representó el 66 (Por ciento). Al ingreso, 58,4 (Por ciento) de los casos fueron grado 1 de laescala modificada de la FMSN. El estado preoperatorio evolucionó a 69,5 (Por ciento)en grado 1. El grado 3 de Fisher predominó y se asoció a la presencia de vasospasmo. El 28,8 (Por ciento) de los casos presentó vasospasmo angiográfico, elevándose el diagnóstico al 49,4 (Por ciento) con el DopplerTranscraneal, en el 25,8 (Por ciento) se hizo sintomático y el 15,9 (Por ciento) desarrolló déficit isquémico. El 73,4 (Por ciento) tuvieron aneurismas únicos de la circulación anterior. El 79,4 (Por ciento) de los aneurismas midieron entre 4–10 mm. La evolución fue favorable en el 93 (Por ciento) y la mortalidad fue de 4,29 (Por ciento). Los resultados al alta se relacionaron significativamente con: el estado al ingreso y preoperatorio, la escala de Fisher, el número de aneurismas, vasospasmo y resangramiento. Las complicaciones médicas y quirúrgicas más frecuentes fueron el vasospasmo, elresangramiento, el infarto cerebral, las infecciones urinarias, la hidrocefalia y la ruptura transoperatoria.Conclusiones: Los resultados fueron propicios comparados con la literatura especializada. Se evidenció la utilidad del manejo protocolizado y el uso de Doppler Transcraneal en estos pacientes(AU)

Objective: To assess basal characteristics and surgical outcome in patients with aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage managed with one dynamic protocol based mostly on transcranial Doppler ultrasound.Methods: A descriptive longitudinal study was carried out in 233 patients with aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhages, who received neurosurgical clipping in the years 2006–2010 and were followed during one year.Results: Mean age was 49.19 years. Female were 66 (Per cent). At the admission, 58.4 (Per cent) of cases were in grade 1 according to the modified scale of World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). Preoperatively 69.5 (Per cent) of patients become grade 1. Patients were mostly Fisher 3 according to CT scan results, and this was statistically associated with vasospasm. Angiographic vasospasm was present in 28.8 (Per cent) of the cases, but increased to 49.4 (Per cent) by using transcranial Doppler. In 25.8 (Per cent) of cases vasospasm was symptomatic, and 15.9 (Per cent) develop delayed ischemic deficit. Single aneurysms on the anterior Willis circle were most relevant statistically and accounted for 73.4 (per cent) of the cases. Aneurysms were mostly of relatively small size, and in 79.4 (Per cent) of the patients they ranged between 4 and 10 mm. Outcome was favorable in 93 (Per cent), and mortality was 4.29 (Per cent). Outcome was significant associated with: neurological status at the admission, Fisher scale, numbers of aneurysms, vasospasm, and re–bleeding. Most frequents surgical and medical complications were vasospasm, re–bleeding, cerebral infarct urinary infection, hydrocephalus and intraoperative rupture.Conclusions: Compared with several series from specialized literature, outcome in this series was good. These suggest the utility of one dynamic protocol based on transcranial Doppler in patients with aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage(AU)

Residual vasomotor activity assessed by heart rate variability in a brain-dead case.

A patient assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) methodology, beginning just after the completion of brain death (BD) diagnosis, showed remaining very low frequency (VLF) waves for approximately 10 min. A time-varying spectral analysis showed that during the first 550 s, a significant power spectral density remained in the high-frequency (HF), low-frequency (LF) and VLF bands. From 550 to 675 s, the HF oscillations totally vanished, and a marked progressive decay of the LF and VLF power density occurred. After 700 s the VLF undulations stopped and remaining small amplitude oscillations at 0.2 Hz coincided with the ventilator frequency. The VLF oscillations recorded in our case might be related to residual sympathetic vasomotor activity that progressively disappeared due to the extension of necrosis affecting the nervous centres of the lower part of the medulla and the first 2-3 cervical spine segments.

Predictor's of Mortality in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage and Reebleding.

Methods. "Ameijeiras Brother's" and "Cmdt. Manuel Fajardo" Hospitals enrolled 64 patients (multicentre retrospective cohort) with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and rebleeding. The patients were admitted to the Stroke Unit (SU) between January 1, 2006, and December 1, 2013. Demographic, clinical, and radiological variables were examined in logistic regression to evaluate independent factors for increasing the risk of death. Results. Patients with systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg (P = 0.02), serum glucose >7 mmol/L (P = 0.02), aneurysm location in artery communicant anterior (P = 0.03), and black/mixed race (P = 0.008) were significant related to death in univariate analysis. Risk factors (HTA, smoke, alcohol consumption, and DM), complication, multiplex rebleeding and stage of WFNS, and Fisher's scale were not related to mortality. Patients with three or more complications had a higher mortality rate (P = 0.002). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that race (black/mixed, P = 0.00, OR 4.62, and 95% IC 1.40-16.26), systolic blood pressure (>160 mmHg, P = 0.05, OR 2.54, and 95% IC 1.01-3.13), and serum glucose (>7.0 mmol/L, P = 0.05, OR 1.82, and 95% IC 1.27-2.67) were independent risk factors for death. Conclusions. The black/mixed race, SBP, and serum glucose were independent predictors of mortality. Three or more complications were associated with increasing the probability to death. Further investigation is necessary to validate these findings.

QEEG spectral and coherence assessment of autistic children in three different experimental conditions.

We studied autistics by quantitative EEG spectral and coherence analysis during three experimental conditions: basal, watching a cartoon with audio (V-A), and with muted audio band (VwA). Significant reductions were found for the absolute power spectral density (PSD) in the central region for delta and theta, and in the posterior region for sigma and beta bands, lateralized to the right hemisphere. When comparing VwA versus the V-A in the midline regions, we found significant decrements of absolute PSD for delta, theta and alpha, and increments for the beta and gamma bands. In autistics, VwA versus V-A tended to show lower coherence values in the right hemisphere. An impairment of visual and auditory sensory integration in autistics might explain our results.

Características clínicas y evolutivas asociados al resangrado en la hemorragia subaracnoideaaneurismática / Clinical and outcome characteristics associated with rebleeding in aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objetivo: Evaluar las características clínicas y evolutivas asociadas al resangrado en pacientes con hemorragiasubaracnoidea aneurismática ingresados en una unidad de ictus.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, de cohorte retrospectiva en los pacientes tratados por hemorragiasubaracnoidea aneurismática en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico “Hermanos Ameijeiras”, en La Habana (Cuba), en el periodo comprendido entre octubre de 2005 a diciembre de 2012.Resultados: Predominó la localización aneurismática en la arteria comunicante posterior, seguida de la arteria comunicante anterior. Se encontró una asociación significativa con el antecedente de hipertensión arterial (p=0,011), así como una mayormortalidad (Rankin 6, p=0,000) al egreso y en la unidad de ictus (p=0,013) en los pacientes que resangraron. En los pacientes que tuvieron recurrencia de la hemorragia subaracnoidea la mayoría de los aneurismas (52/88,1 Por ciento de 59) estaban ubicados en las arterias de la circulación anterior, siendo la localización más frecuente la arteria comunicante anterior (25/42,4 Por ciento) seguida por la arteria comunicante posterior (16/27,1 por ciento). En el grupo sin recurrencia de la hemorragia los aneurismas se ubicaron principalmente en el sector carotideo (96,5 Por ciento) y la localización más frecuente fue en la arteria comunicante posterior (84/36,7 Por ciento) seguido de la arteria comunicante anterior (67/29,2 Por ciento). El día de la cirugía fue más tardío en los pacientes que resangraron, respecto al resto de los enfermos sin que la diferencia fuese significativa (16,6 días versus 12,2 días, p=0,085).Conclusiones: El antecedente de hipertensión arterial, una mayor mortalidad, así como mayor grado de discapacidad al egreso y la necesidad de traslado a una unidad de cuidados intensivos caracterizó a los enfermos con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática con resangrado(AU)

Objective: To evaluate clinical and outcome characteristics of patients with rebleeding after aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.Methods: An observational, retrospective cohort study was made, in patients treated by subarachnoid hemorrhage at the Hermanos Ameijeiras´s Hospital, in Havana City, Cuba, since October 2005 until December 2012.Results: The more frequent location of the aneurism was the posterior communicant artery, followed by the anterior communicant. There was a significant association in patients with history of arterial hypertension(p=0.011), with an increase of the mortality (Rankin 6, p=0.000). In patients with subarachnoid rebleeding most aneurism were located in anterior circulation arteries (52/88.1 Per cent of 59), mainly in anterior communicant artery (25/42.4 Per cent) followed by posterior communicantartery (16/27.1 Per cent). In non-rebleeding group the aneurisms were located mainly in carotid sector (96.5 Per cent) and more frequentin posterior communicant artery (84/36.7 Per cent) followed by anterior communicant artery (67/29.2 Per cent). The surgical treatment was delayed in patients with rebleeding (16.6 days), compare with the other group of patients (12.2 days), but the difference was not significant (p=0.085).Conclusions: Patients with rebleeding after aneurismatic subarachnoid hemorrhage was characterized by arterial hypertension´s history, higher mortality, disability and assistance in intensive unit service(AU)

Atención a pacientes con "grados buenos" de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática en la unidad de ictus / Care for patients with \" good grades \" of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the stroke unit

Objetivo: estimar el impacto de la atención a pacientes con grados buenos de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA-A). Métodos: estudio prospectivo y descriptivo de una cohorte de pacientes con grados buenos de HSA-A ingresados en la Unidad de Ictus Agudo del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, durante el período octubre, 2005-diciembre, 2009. La información fue procesada de forma automatizada (SPSS versión 11.5). Resultados: se estudiaron 165 pacientes con edad media de 49,7 años y predominio femenino (66,7 por ciento). Se logró aislar el aneurisma cerebral en 141, en 131 por cirugía y en 10, por vía endovascular. El tratamiento fue realizado antes del tercer día de evolución en 21 casos. Las principales complicaciones observadas fueron: resangrado (18,8 por ciento), vasospasmo sintomático (15,2 por ciento), hidrocefalia (23 por ciento), hiponatremia (11,5 por ciento) y neumonía (10,3 por ciento). El promedio de estadía hospitalaria fue 17,1 d. Egresaron con secuelas discapacitantes 20 pacientes y fallecieron 27. Las variables relacionadas con malos resultados en el momento del egreso fueron: intensidad de las manifestaciones clínicas al ingreso, magnitud del sangrado en la TAC, resangrado, vasospasmo sintomático y neumonía. Conclusiones: la atención especializada centrada en la Unidad de Ictus, parece ser una organización asistencial apropiada para la atención a pacientes con grados buenos de HSA-A...

Objective: estimate the impact of care to patients with good grades of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASH-A) . Methods: a prospective descriptive study was conducted of a cohort of patients with good grades of ASH-A admitted to the Stroke Unit at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana from October 2005 to December 2009. Data was processed with the statistical software SPSS version 15.0. Results: 165 patients were studied. Mean age was 49.7 and female sex predominated (66.7 percent). The cerebral aneurysm could be isolated in 141 cases: 131 by surgery and 10 by endovascular procedure. In 21 cases treatment was performed before the third day of evolution. The main complications observed were rebleeding (18.8 percent), symptomatic vasospasm (15.2 percent), hydrocephaly (23 percent), hyponatremia (11.5 percent) and pneumonia (10.3 percent). Average hospital stay was 17.1 days. 20 patients were discharged with disabling sequelae; 27 died. The variables associated with a bad outcome at discharge were intensity of clinical manifestations at admission, magnitude of bleeding on CT brain scans, rebleeding, symptomatic vasospasm and pneumonia. Conclusions: stroke Unit specialized care seems to be appropriate for patients with good grades of ASH-A...

Hemorragia subaracnoidea no aneurismática / Non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objetivo: determinar las características clínicas de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA-A). Métodos: estudio descriptivo basado en serie prospectiva de 204 pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea admitidos de forma consecutiva en la Unidad de Ictus del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, entre octubre de 2005 y diciembre de 2009. Resultados: 165 pacientes tenían aneurismas cerebrales, 157 identificados por angiografía (155 en primer estudio y 2, en segundo) y 8 por necropsia. En 39 casos la causa fue no aneurismática. En 8 pacientes se reconocieron las causas: moya moya (2 casos), angioma venoso cerebral (2 casos), malformación arteriovenosa (MAV) espinal, MAV dural, disección arterial del sistema vertebro-basilar y apoplejía pituitaria. En 31 enfermos (15,2 por ciento) la hemorragia fue criptogénica, se encontraron variantes anómalas de drenaje venoso en 4 de ellos. La HSA-NA se asoció a menor frecuencia de hipertensión (p= 0,029) y tabaquismo (p= 0,025). Se observó vasospasmo angiográfico en 55 casos (33,3 por ciento) con aneurismas y en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p< 0,001), vasospasmo sintomático en 25 casos con aneurismas (15,2 por ciento) y en ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,063). Hubo resangrado en 31 casos (18,8 por ciento) con HSA-A y solo en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p= 0,024). El resultado final al egreso medido por la escala de Rankin modificada fue mejor en la HSA-NA (p= 0,002). Hubo 25 fallecidos (15,2 por ciento) con aneurismas y ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,02). Conclusiones: la HSA-NA tiene buen pronóstico. Las investigaciones neurovasculares no permiten identificar su causa en la mayoría de los casos...

Objective: determine the clinical characteristics of nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASH-A). Methods: a descriptive study was conducted of a prospective series of 204 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage consecutively admitted to the Stroke Unit at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana from October 2005 to December 2009. Results: 165 patients had cerebral aneurysms, of which 157 were identified by angiography (155 in the first study and 2 in the second), and 8 by necropsy. In 39 cases the cause was non-aneurysmatic. The following causes were identified in 8 patients: moyamoya disease (2 cases), cerebral venous angioma (2 cases), spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM), dural AVM, artery dissection of the vertebrobasilar system and pituitary apoplexy. 31 patients (15.2 percent) had cryptogenic hemorrhage, and four presented anomalous venous drainage. NA-SAH was associated with a lower frequency of hypertension (p= 0.029) and smoking (p= 0.025). Angiographic vasospasm was observed in 55 cases with aneurysms (33.3 percent) and in one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p< 0.001). Symptomatic vasospasm was observed in 25 cases with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and in none with NA-SAH (p= 0.063). There was rebleeding in 31 cases with A-SAH (18.8 percent) and in only one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p= 0.024). The final outcome at discharge measured with the modified Rankin scale was better for NA-SAH (p= 0.002). There were 25 deaths with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and none with NA-SAH (p= 0.02). Conclusions: NA-SAH has a good prognosis. In most cases neurovascular research is unable to identify its cause...

Atención a pacientes con grados buenos de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática en la unidad de ictus / Care of patients with good grades of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the stroke uni

Objetivo: estimar el impacto de la atención a pacientes con grados buenos de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA-A). Métodos: estudio prospectivo y descriptivo de una cohorte de pacientes con grados buenos de HSA-A ingresados en la Unidad de Ictus Agudo del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, durante el período octubre, 2005-diciembre, 2009. La información fue procesada de forma automatizada (SPSS versión 11.5). Resultados: se estudiaron 165 pacientes con edad media de 49,7 años y predominio femenino (66,7 por ciento). Se logró aislar el aneurisma cerebral en 141, en 131 por cirugía y en 10, por vía endovascular. El tratamiento fue realizado antes del tercer día de evolución en 21 casos. Las principales complicaciones observadas fueron: resangrado (18,8 por ciento), vasospasmo sintomático (15,2 por ciento), hidrocefalia (23 por ciento), hiponatremia (11,5 por ciento) y neumonía (10,3 por ciento). El promedio de estadía hospitalaria fue 17,1 d. Egresaron con secuelas discapacitantes 20 pacientes y fallecieron 27. Las variables relacionadas con malos resultados en el momento del egreso fueron: intensidad de las manifestaciones clínicas al ingreso, magnitud del sangrado en la TAC, resangrado, vasospasmo sintomático y neumonía. Conclusiones: la atención especializada centrada en la Unidad de Ictus, parece ser una organización asistencial apropiada para la atención a pacientes con grados buenos de HSA-A(AU)

Objective: estimate the impact of care to patients with good grades of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASH-A) . Methods: a prospective descriptive study was conducted of a cohort of patients with good grades of ASH-A admitted to the Stroke Unit at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana from October 2005 to December 2009. Data was processed with the statistical software SPSS version 15.0. Results: 165 patients were studied. Mean age was 49.7 and female sex predominated (66.7 percent). The cerebral aneurysm could be isolated in 141 cases: 131 by surgery and 10 by endovascular procedure. In 21 cases treatment was performed before the third day of evolution. The main complications observed were rebleeding (18.8 percent), symptomatic vasospasm (15.2 percent), hydrocephaly (23 percent), hyponatremia (11.5 percent) and pneumonia (10.3 percent). Average hospital stay was 17.1 days. 20 patients were discharged with disabling sequelae; 27 died. The variables associated with a bad outcome at discharge were intensity of clinical manifestations at admission, magnitude of bleeding on CT brain scans, rebleeding, symptomatic vasospasm and pneumonia. Conclusions: stroke Unit specialized care seems to be appropriate for patients with good grades of ASH-A(AU)

Hemorragia subaracnoidea no aneurismática / Non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objetivo: determinar las características clínicas de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática (HSA-A). Métodos: estudio descriptivo basado en serie prospectiva de 204 pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea admitidos de forma consecutiva en la Unidad de Ictus del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras de La Habana, entre octubre de 2005 y diciembre de 2009. Resultados: 165 pacientes tenían aneurismas cerebrales, 157 identificados por angiografía (155 en primer estudio y 2, en segundo) y 8 por necropsia. En 39 casos la causa fue no aneurismática. En 8 pacientes se reconocieron las causas: moya moya (2 casos), angioma venoso cerebral (2 casos), malformación arteriovenosa (MAV) espinal, MAV dural, disección arterial del sistema vertebro-basilar y apoplejía pituitaria. En 31 enfermos (15,2 por ciento) la hemorragia fue criptogénica, se encontraron variantes anómalas de drenaje venoso en 4 de ellos. La HSA-NA se asoció a menor frecuencia de hipertensión (p= 0,029) y tabaquismo (p= 0,025). Se observó vasospasmo angiográfico en 55 casos (33,3 por ciento) con aneurismas y en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p< 0,001), vasospasmo sintomático en 25 casos con aneurismas (15,2 por ciento) y en ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,063). Hubo resangrado en 31 casos (18,8 por ciento) con HSA-A y solo en 1 con HSA-NA (2,6 por ciento) (p= 0,024). El resultado final al egreso medido por la escala de Rankin modificada fue mejor en la HSA-NA (p= 0,002). Hubo 25 fallecidos (15,2 por ciento) con aneurismas y ninguno con HSA-NA (p= 0,02). Conclusiones: la HSA-NA tiene buen pronóstico. Las investigaciones neurovasculares no permiten identificar su causa en la mayoría de los casos(AU)

Objective: determine the clinical characteristics of nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASH-A). Methods: a descriptive study was conducted of a prospective series of 204 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage consecutively admitted to the Stroke Unit at Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana from October 2005 to December 2009. Results: 165 patients had cerebral aneurysms, of which 157 were identified by angiography (155 in the first study and 2 in the second), and 8 by necropsy. In 39 cases the cause was non-aneurysmatic. The following causes were identified in 8 patients: moyamoya disease (2 cases), cerebral venous angioma (2 cases), spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM), dural AVM, artery dissection of the vertebrobasilar system and pituitary apoplexy. 31 patients (15.2 percent) had cryptogenic hemorrhage, and four presented anomalous venous drainage. NA-SAH was associated with a lower frequency of hypertension (p= 0.029) and smoking (p= 0.025). Angiographic vasospasm was observed in 55 cases with aneurysms (33.3 percent) and in one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p< 0.001). Symptomatic vasospasm was observed in 25 cases with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and in none with NA-SAH (p= 0.063). There was rebleeding in 31 cases with A-SAH (18.8 percent) and in only one case with NA-SAH (2.6 percent) (p= 0.024). The final outcome at discharge measured with the modified Rankin scale was better for NA-SAH (p= 0.002). There were 25 deaths with aneurysms (15.2 percent) and none with NA-SAH (p= 0.02). Conclusions: NA-SAH has a good prognosis. In most cases neurovascular research is unable to identify its cause(AU)

Zolpidem arousing effect in persistent vegetative state patients: autonomic, EEG and behavioral assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To study the Zolpidem arousing effect in persistent vegetative state (PVS) patients combining clinical evaluation, autonomic assessment by heart rate variability (HRV), and EEG records. METHODS: We studied a group of 8 PVS patients and other 8 healthy control subjects, matched by age and gender. The patients and controls received drug or placebo in two experimental sessions, separated by 10-14 days. The first 30 minutes of the session were considered the basal record, and then Zolpidem was administered. All participants were evaluated clinically, by EEG, and by HRV during the basal record, and for 90 minutes after drug intake. RESULTS: We found in all patients, time-related arousing signs after Zolpidem intake: behavioral (yawns and hiccups), activation of EEG cortical activity, and a vagolytic chronotropic effect without a significant increment of the vasomotor sympathetic tone. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated time-related arousing signs after Zolpidem intake. We discussed possible mechanisms to explain these patho-physiological findings regarding EEG cortical activation and an autonomic vagolytic drug effect. As this autonomic imbalance might induce cardiocirculatory complications, which we didn't find in any of our patients, we suggest developing future trials under control of physiological indices by bedside monitoring. However, considering that this arousing Zolpidem effect might be certainly related to brain function improvement, it should be particularly considered for the development of new neuro-rehabilitation programs in PVS cases. According to the literature review, we claim that this is the first report about the vagolitic effect of Zolpidem in PVS cases.

Sonotrombólisis en un caso de oclusión de la arteria cerebral media secundaria a una complicación angiográfica / Sonothrombolysis in a case of occlusion of the middle cerebral artery secondary to an angiographic complication

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Neuralgia amiotrófica posterior a la vacunación contra la leptospirosis humana / Neuralgic amyotrophy following vaccination against human leptospirosis

Introducción: la neuralgia amiotrófica o síndrome de Parsonage-Turner se asocia a vacunaciones en 15 por ciento de los casos. No existen reportes que vinculen esta condición con la vacuna contra la leptospirosis humana. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas de un paciente que presentó una plexopatía braquial aguda posterior a la inmunización contra la leptospirosis humana. Presentación del caso: un varón de 31 años de edad, obrero agrícola en 2008 recibió una dosis de la vacuna cubana contra la leptospirosis humana (vax-Spiral); 3 semanas después presentó dolor intenso localizado en ambos hombros, a la semana siguiente aparece debilidad muscular y posteriormente atrofia del músculo deltoides derecho. La evaluación neurológica era compatible con afección aguda asimétrica de la porción superior del plexo braquial, con mayor intensidad en el lado derecho, en el cual también estaba involucrado el diafragma. Se comprobó el compromiso de la porción superior del plexo braquial con estudios de neuroconducción y electromiografía. El paciente es tratado con analgésicos y fisioterapia, evolucionando de modo favorable. Conclusiones: el evento ocurrido en este caso sugiere que la vacuna cubana contra leptospirosis humana pudiera producir inmunorreactividad cruzada contra antígenos del sistema nervioso periférico(AU)

Introduction: neuralgic amyotrophy or Parsonage-Turner syndrome is associated with vaccination in 15 percent of cases. There are no reports linking this condition to the vaccine against human leptospirosis. Objective: describe the clinical characteristics of a patient who developed acute brachial plexopathy after vaccination against human leptospirosis. Case presentation: a male 31 year-old agricultural worker received a dose of the Cuban vaccine against human leptospirosis (vax-SPIRAL) in 2008. Three weeks later he presented intense pain in both shoulders. The following week he had muscular weakness, and then atrophy of the right deltoid muscle. Neurological evaluation showed acute asymmetric damage to the upper brachial plexus, with greater intensity on the right side, and involvement of the diaphragm. Nerve conduction examination and electromyography revealed involvement of the upper brachial plexus. The patient was treated with analgesics and physical therapy, and was found to evolve favorably. Conclusions: the events described suggest that the Cuban vaccine against human leptospirosis might produce immunological cross-reactivity against antigens of the peripheral nervous system(AU)

Neuralgia amiotrófica posterior a la vacunación contra la leptospirosis humana / Neuralgic amyotrophy following vaccination against human leptospirosis

Introducción: la neuralgia amiotrófica o síndrome de Parsonage-Turner se asocia a vacunaciones en 15 por ciento de los casos. No existen reportes que vinculen esta condición con la vacuna contra la leptospirosis humana. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas de un paciente que presentó una plexopatía braquial aguda posterior a la inmunización contra la leptospirosis humana. Presentación del caso: un varón de 31 años de edad, obrero agrícola en 2008 recibió una dosis de la vacuna cubana contra la leptospirosis humana (vax-Spiral); 3 semanas después presentó dolor intenso localizado en ambos hombros, a la semana siguiente aparece debilidad muscular y posteriormente atrofia del músculo deltoides derecho. La evaluación neurológica era compatible con afección aguda asimétrica de la porción superior del plexo braquial, con mayor intensidad en el lado derecho, en el cual también estaba involucrado el diafragma. Se comprobó el compromiso de la porción superior del plexo braquial con estudios de neuroconducción y electromiografía. El paciente es tratado con analgésicos y fisioterapia, evolucionando de modo favorable. Conclusiones: el evento ocurrido en este caso sugiere que la vacuna cubana contra leptospirosis humana pudiera producir inmunorreactividad cruzada contra antígenos del sistema nervioso periférico(AU)

Introduction: neuralgic amyotrophy or Parsonage-Turner syndrome is associated with vaccination in 15 percent of cases. There are no reports linking this condition to the vaccine against human leptospirosis. Objective: describe the clinical characteristics of a patient who developed acute brachial plexopathy after vaccination against human leptospirosis. Case presentation: a male 31 year-old agricultural worker received a dose of the Cuban vaccine against human leptospirosis (vax-SPIRAL) in 2008. Three weeks later he presented intense pain in both shoulders. The following week he had muscular weakness, and then atrophy of the right deltoid muscle. Neurological evaluation showed acute asymmetric damage to the upper brachial plexus, with greater intensity on the right side, and involvement of the diaphragm. Nerve conduction examination and electromyography revealed involvement of the upper brachial plexus. The patient was treated with analgesics and physical therapy, and was found to evolve favorably. Conclusions: the events described suggest that the Cuban vaccine against human leptospirosis might produce immunological cross-reactivity against antigens of the peripheral nervous system(AU)