Prospective Evaluation of a Modified Apnea Test in Brain Death Candidates that Does Not Require Disconnection from the Ventilator.

BACKGROUND: The apnea test (AT) is an important component in the determination of brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) and often entails disconnecting the patient from the ventilator followed by tracheal oxygen insufflation to ensure adequate oxygenation. To rate the test as positive, most international guidelines state that a lack of spontaneous breathing must be demonstrated when the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) ≥ 60 mm Hg. However, the loss of positive end-expiratory pressure that is associated with disconnection from the ventilator may cause rapid desaturation. This, in turn, can lead to cardiopulmonary instability (especially in patients with pulmonary impairment and diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome), putting patients at increased risk. Therefore, this prospective study aimed to investigate whether a modified version of the AT (mAT), in which the patient remains connected to the ventilator, is a safer yet still valid alternative. METHODS: The mAT was performed in all 140 BD/DNC candidates registered between January 2019 and December 2022: after 10 min of preoxygenation, (1) positive end-expiratory pressure was increased by 2 mbar (1.5 mm Hg), (2) ventilation mode was switched to continuous positive airway pressure, and (3) apnea back-up mode was turned off (flow trigger 10 L/min). The mAT was considered positive when spontaneous breathing did not occur upon PaCO2 increase to ≥ 60 mm Hg (baseline 35-45 mm Hg). Clinical complications during/after mAT were documented. RESULTS: The mAT was possible in 139/140 patients and had a median duration of 15 min (interquartile range 13-19 min). Severe complications were not evident. In 51 patients, the post-mAT arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) was lower than the pre-mAT PaO2, whereas it was the same or higher in 88 cases. In patients with pulmonary impairment, apneic oxygenation during the mAT improved PaO2. In 123 cases, there was a transient drop in blood pressure at the end of or after the mAT, whereas in 12 cases, the mean arterial pressure dropped below 60 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: The mAT is a safe and protective means of identifying patients who no longer have an intact central respiratory drive, which is a critical factor in the diagnosis of BD/DNC. Clinical trial registration DRKS, DRKS00017803, retrospectively registered 23.11.2020, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00017803.

Surgical Versus Dilational Tracheostomy in Patients with Severe Stroke: A SETPOINT2 Post hoc Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated patients with severe stroke can be performed surgically or dilationally. Prospective data comparing both methods in patients with stroke are scarce. The randomized Stroke-Related Early Tracheostomy vs Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Neurocritical Care Trial2 (SETPOINT2) assigned 382 mechanically ventilated patients with stroke to early tracheostomy versus extubation or standard tracheostomy. Surgical tracheostomy (ST) was performed in 41 of 307 SETPOINT2 patients, and the majority received dilational tracheostomy (DT). We aimed to compare ST and DT in these patients with patients. METHODS: All SETPOINT2 patients with ST were compared with a control group of patients with stroke undergoing DT (1:2), selected by propensity score matching that included the factors stroke type, SETPOINT2 randomization group, Stroke Early Tracheostomy score, patient age, and premorbid functional status. Successful decannulation was the primary outcome, and secondary outcome parameters included functional outcome at 6 months and adverse events attributable to tracheostomy. Potential predictors of decannulation were evaluated by regression analysis. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable in the two groups of patients with stroke undergoing ST (n = 41) and matched patients with stroke undergoing DT (n = 82). Tracheostomy was performed significantly later in the ST group than in the DT group (median 9 [interquartile range {IQR} 5-12] vs. 9 [IQR 4-11] days after intubation, p = 0.025). Patients with ST were mechanically ventilated longer (median 19 [IQR 17-24] vs.14 [IQR 11-19] days, p = 0.008) and stayed in the intensive care unit longer (median 23 [IQR 16-27] vs. 17 [IQR 13-24] days, p = 0.047), compared with patients with DT. The intrahospital infection rate was significantly higher in the ST group compared to the DT group (14.6% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.002). At 6 months, decannulation rates (56% vs. 61%), functional outcomes, and mortality were not different. However, decannulation was performed later in the ST group compared to the DT group (median 81 [IQR 66-149] vs. 58 [IQR 32-77] days, p = 0.004). Higher baseline Stroke Early Tracheostomy score negatively predicted decannulation. CONCLUSIONS: In ventilated patients with severe stroke in need of tracheostomy, surgical and dilational methods are associated with comparable decannulation rate and functional outcome at 6 months. However, ST was associated with longer time to decannulation and higher rates of early infections, supporting the dilational approach to tracheostomy in ventilated patients with stroke.

Fit for Service: Preparing Residents for Neurointensive Care with Entrustable Professional Activities: A Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: Although the relevance of neurointensive medicine and high-quality training of corresponding physicians is increasingly recognized, there is high heterogeneity in the nature, duration, and quality of neurointensive care curricula around the world. Thus, we aimed to identify, define, and establish validity evidence for entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for postgraduate training in neurointensive care to determine trainees' readiness for being on-call. METHODS: After defining EPAs through an iterative process by an expert group, we used a modified Delphi approach with a single-center development process followed by a national consensus and a single-center validation step. EPAs were evaluated by using the EQual rubric (Queen's EPA Quality Rubric). Interrater reliability was measured with Krippendorff's α. RESULTS: The expert group defined seven preliminary EPAs for neurointensive care. In two consecutive Delphi rounds, EPAs were adapted, and consensus was reached for level of entrustment and time of expiration. Ultimately, EPAs reached a high EQual score of 4.5 of 5 and above. Interrater reliability for the EQual scoring was 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: Using a multistep Delphi process, we defined and established validity evidence for seven EPAs for neurointensive medicine with a high degree of consensus to objectively describe readiness for on-call duty in neurointensive care. This operationalization of pivotal clinical tasks may help to better train clinical residents in neurointensive care across sites and health care systems and has the potential to serve as a blueprint for training in general intensive care medicine. It also represents a starting point for further research and development of medical curricula.

Outcomes After Decompressive Surgery for Severe Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Associated or Not Associated with Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical observations indicated that vaccine-induced immune thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (VITT)-associated cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) often has a space-occupying effect and thus necessitates decompressive surgery (DS). While comparing with non-VITT CVST, this study explored whether VITT-associated CVST exhibits a more fulminant clinical course, different perioperative and intensive care unit management, and worse long-term outcome. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study collected patient data from 12 tertiary centers to address priorly formulated hypotheses concerning the clinical course, the perioperative management with related complications, extracerebral complications, and the functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale) in patients with VITT-associated and non-VITT CVST, both with DS. RESULTS: Both groups, each with 16 patients, were balanced regarding demographics, kind of clinical symptoms, and radiological findings at hospital admission. Severity of neurological symptoms, assessed with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, was similar between groups at admission and before surgery, whereas more patients with VITT-associated CVST showed a relevant midline shift (≥ 4 mm) before surgery (100% vs. 68.8%, p = 0.043). Patients with VITT-associated CVST tended to undergo DS early, i.e., ≤ 24 h after hospital admission (p = 0.077). Patients with VITT-associated CVST more frequently received platelet transfusion, tranexamic acid, and fibrinogen perioperatively. The postoperative management was comparable, and complications were evenly distributed. More patients with VITT-associated CVST achieved a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤ 3) at 3 months (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Although the prediction of individual courses remains challenging, DS should be considered early in VITT-associated CVST because an overall favorable outcome appears achievable in these patients.

[Prospective investigation of extracranial duplex sonography for the detection of cerebral circulatory arrest in patients with irreversible loss of brain function]. / Prospektive Untersuchung der extrakraniellen Duplexsonographie zum Nachweis des zerebralen Perfusionsstillstands bei Patienten mit irreversiblem Hirnfunktionsausfall.

BACKGROUND: A broader distribution of bedside color-coded duplex sonography (CCD) for detection of cerebral circulatory arrest (CCA) would be important to improve its use in the diagnosis of irreversible loss of brain function (ILBF-Dx). QUESTION: Is extracranial compared to the commonly applied transcranial CCD of the brain-supplying vessels (ECCD vs. TCCD) equivalent for the detection of CCA in ILBF-Dx regarding specificity and sensitivity? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study period January 2019-June 2022, screening of 136 and inclusion of 114 patients with severe brain lesions > 24 h after onset of fixed and dilated pupils, apnea and completed ILBF-Dx. Exclusion of patients without brainstem areflexia and guideline-conform applicability of CCD. Complementary ECCD (and TCCD, if other method used for irreversibility detection). RESULTS: Detection of ILBF (ILBF+) in 86.8% (99/114), no ILBF (ILBF-) in 13.2% (15/114). ECCD was fully feasible in all patients; findings matching CCA were found in 94/99 ILBF+ cases (ECCD+) and not in 5 patients (ECCD-). All 15 patients with ILBF- showed ECCD- findings. Thus, the specificity of ECCD was 1.0, and the sensitivity was 0.949. TCCD showed CCA in 56 patients (TCCD+), and ECCD+ was also found in all of them. An inconclusive result of TCCD in ILBF+ was found in 38 cases, with parallel ECCD+ in all of these patients. In 20 cases, TCCD did not show CCA (TCCD-), these also showed ECCD-. Of these patients 15 were ILBF- and 5 were ILBF+. DISCUSSION: TCCD was not completely feasible or inconclusive in one third of the cases, whereas ECCD was always feasible. ECCD showed high validity with respect to the detection of CCA. Therefore, the possibility of using ECCD alone to detect CCA in ILBF-Dx should be discussed.

Cognitive impairment and altered cerebral glucose metabolism in the subacute stage of COVID-19.

During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, neurological symptoms increasingly moved into the focus of interest. In this prospective cohort study, we assessed neurological and cognitive symptoms in hospitalized coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients and aimed to determine their neuronal correlates. Patients with reverse transcription-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection who required inpatient treatment primarily because of non-neurological complications were screened between 20 April 2020 and 12 May 2020. Patients (age > 18 years) were included in our cohort when presenting with at least one new neurological symptom (defined as impaired gustation and/or olfaction, performance < 26 points on a Montreal Cognitive Assessment and/or pathological findings on clinical neurological examination). Patients with ≥2 new symptoms were eligible for further diagnostics using comprehensive neuropsychological tests, cerebral MRI and 18fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET as soon as infectivity was no longer present. Exclusion criteria were: premorbid diagnosis of cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative diseases or intensive care unit treatment. Of 41 COVID-19 inpatients screened, 29 patients (65.2 ± 14.4 years; 38% female) in the subacute stage of disease were included in the register. Most frequently, gustation and olfaction were disturbed in 29/29 and 25/29 patients, respectively. Montreal Cognitive Assessment performance was impaired in 18/26 patients (mean score 21.8/30) with emphasis on frontoparietal cognitive functions. This was confirmed by detailed neuropsychological testing in 15 patients. 18FDG PET revealed pathological results in 10/15 patients with predominant frontoparietal hypometabolism. This pattern was confirmed by comparison with a control sample using voxel-wise principal components analysis, which showed a high correlation (R2 = 0.62) with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment performance. Post-mortem examination of one patient revealed white matter microglia activation but no signs of neuroinflammation. Neocortical dysfunction accompanied by cognitive decline was detected in a relevant fraction of patients with subacute COVID-19 initially requiring inpatient treatment. This is of major rehabilitative and socioeconomic relevance.

Temporal Expression Pattern of Hemoxygenase-1 Expression and Its Association with Vasospasm and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell-induced cerebral inflammation and toxicity has been shown to be attenuated by induction of the heme-catalyzing enzyme, hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1), in animal models of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Although inflammatory mechanisms leading to secondary neuronal injury in SAH are becoming increasingly well understood, markers of cerebral inflammation have so far not been implemented in clinical prediction models of SAH. METHODS: In this biomarker observational study, HO-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of 66 patients with aneurysmal SAH on days 1, 7, and 14 after the SAH event. HO-1 mRNA expression was determined via real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and relative expression changes were quantified in comparison with expression levels in nonhemorrhagic control CSF. Subarachnoid blood burden, as well as presence of vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), were recorded. Short and long-term clinical outcomes were assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale at discharge and 1 year after the SAH event. RESULTS: CSF HO-1 expression levels showed a significant increase over the 14-day observation period (p < 0.001, F = 22.53) and correlated with intracranial hematoma burden (ρ = 0.349, p = 0.025). In multivariate analyses, CSF HO-1 expression levels did not reach significance as independent predictors of outcome. Vasospasm on computed tomographic angiography was associated with lower CSF HO-1 expression levels on day 7 after SAH (n = 53, p = 0.010), whereas patients with DCI showed higher CSF HO-1 expression levels on day 14 after SAH (n = 21, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: HO-1 expression in CSF in patients with SAH follows a distinct temporal induction pattern and is dependent on intracranial hematoma burden. CSF HO-1 expression was unable to predict functional outcome. Associations of early low HO-1 expression with vasospasm and late elevated HO-1 expression with DCI may point to detrimental effects of late HO-1 induction, warranting the need for further investigation in a larger study population.

Ultrasound Perfusion Imaging for the Detection of Cerebral Hypoperfusion After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Delayed cerebral ischemia increases mortality and morbidity after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Various techniques are applied to detect cerebral vasospasm and hypoperfusion. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging (UPI) is able to detect cerebral hypoperfusion in acute ischemic stroke. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the use of UPI to enable detection of cerebral hypoperfusion after aSAH. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with aSAH and performed UPI examinations every second day after aneurysm closure. Perfusion of the basal ganglia was outlined to normalize the perfusion records of the anterior and posterior middle cerebral artery territory. We applied various models to characterize longitudinal perfusion alterations in patients with delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND) across the cohort and predict DIND by using a multilayer classification model. RESULTS: Between August 2013 and December 2015, we included 30 patients into this prospective study. The left-right difference of time to peak (TTP) values showed a significant increase at day 10-12. Patients with DIND demonstrated a significant, 4.86 times increase of the left-right TTP ratio compared with a mean fold change in patients without DIND of 0.9 times (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: UPI is feasible to enable detection of cerebral tissue hypoperfusion after aSAH, and the left-right difference of TTP values is the most indicative result of this finding.

Effect of Early vs Standard Approach to Tracheostomy on Functional Outcome at 6 Months Among Patients With Severe Stroke Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: The SETPOINT2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Many patients with severe stroke have impaired airway protective reflexes, resulting in prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation. Objective: To test whether early vs standard tracheostomy improved functional outcome among patients with stroke receiving mechanical ventilation. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this randomized clinical trial, 382 patients with severe acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke receiving invasive ventilation were randomly assigned (1:1) to early tracheostomy (≤5 days of intubation) or ongoing ventilator weaning with standard tracheostomy if needed from day 10. Patients were randomized between July 28, 2015, and January 24, 2020, at 26 US and German neurocritical care centers. The final date of follow-up was August 9, 2020. Interventions: Patients were assigned to an early tracheostomy strategy (n = 188) or to a standard tracheostomy (control group) strategy (n = 194). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was functional outcome at 6 months, based on the modified Rankin Scale score (range, 0 [best] to 6 [worst]) dichotomized to a score of 0 (no disability) to 4 (moderately severe disability) vs 5 (severe disability) or 6 (death). Results: Among 382 patients randomized (median age, 59 years; 49.8% women), 366 (95.8%) completed the trial with available follow-up data on the primary outcome (177 patients [94.1%] in the early group; 189 patients [97.4%] in the standard group). A tracheostomy (predominantly percutaneously) was performed in 95.2% of the early tracheostomy group in a median of 4 days after intubation (IQR, 3-4 days) and in 67% of the control group in a median of 11 days after intubation (IQR, 10-12 days). The proportion without severe disability (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-4) at 6 months was not significantly different in the early tracheostomy vs the control group (43.5% vs 47.1%; difference, -3.6% [95% CI, -14.3% to 7.2%]; adjusted odds ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.60-1.42]; P = .73). Of the serious adverse events, 5.0% (6 of 121 reported events) in the early tracheostomy group vs 3.4% (4 of 118 reported events) were related to tracheostomy. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe stroke receiving mechanical ventilation, a strategy of early tracheostomy, compared with a standard approach to tracheostomy, did not significantly improve the rate of survival without severe disability at 6 months. However, the wide confidence intervals around the effect estimate may include a clinically important difference, so a clinically relevant benefit or harm from a strategy of early tracheostomy cannot be excluded. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02377167.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage in COVID-19 Patients with Pulmonary Failure: A Propensity Score-Matched Registry Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypercoagulability in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism necessitating systemic anticoagulation. Case reports of intracerebral hemorrhages in ventilated COVID-19 patients warrant precaution. It is unclear, however, if COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with or without veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy (VV-ECMO) have more intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) compared to other ARDS patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational single-center study enrolling all patients with ARDS from 01/2018 to 05/2020. PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 patients with ARDS were allocated to the COVID-19 group. Propensity score matching was performed for age, VV-ECMO, and bleeding risk. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients with moderate or severe ARDS were identified, 47 (28.8%) in the COVID-19 group, and 116 (71.2%) in the non-COVID-19 group. In 63/163 cases (38.7%), VV-ECMO therapy was required. The ICU survival was 52.8%. COVID-19 patients were older, more often male, and exhibited a lower SOFA score, but the groups showed similar rates of VV-ECMO therapy. Treatments with antiplatelet agents (p = 0.043) and therapeutic anticoagulation (p = 0.028) were significantly more frequent in the COVID-19 patients. ICH was detected in 22 patients (13.5%) with no statistical difference between the groups (11.2 vs. 19.1% without and with SARS-CoV-2, respectively, p = 0.21). Propensity score matching confirmed similar rates of ICH in both groups (12.8 vs. 19.1% without and with SARS-CoV-2, respectively, p = 0.57), thus leveling out possible confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Intracerebral hemorrhage was detected in every tenth patient with ARDS. Despite statistically higher rates of antiplatelet therapy and therapeutic anticoagulation in COVID-19 patients, we found a similar rate of ICH in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 compared to other causes of ARDS.

Contralateral Stenosis and Echolucent Plaque Morphology are Associated with Elevated Stroke Risk in Patients Treated with Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis within a Controlled Clinical Trial (SPACE-2).

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACS) has a low risk of stroke. To achieve an advantage over noninterventional best medical treatment (BMT), carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) must be performed with the lowest possible risk of stroke. Therefore, an analysis of risk-elevating factors is essential. Grade of ipsilateral and contralateral stenosis as well as plaque morphology are known risk factors in ACS. METHODS: The randomized, controlled, multicenter SPACE-2 trial had to be stopped prematurely after recruiting 513 patients. 203 patients were randomized to CEA, 197 to CAS, and 113 to BMT. Within one year, risk factors such as grade of stenosis and plaque morphology were analyzed. RESULTS: Grade of contralateral stenosis (GCS) was higher in patients with any stroke (50%ECST vs. 20%ECST; p=0.012). Echolucent plaque morphology was associated with any stroke on the day of intervention (OR 5.23; p=0.041). In the periprocedural period, any stroke was correlated with GCS in the CEA group (70%ECST vs. 20%ECST; p=0.026) and with echolucent plaque morphology in the CAS group (6% vs. 1%; p=0.048). In multivariate analysis, occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery (CCO) was associated with risk of any stroke (OR 7.00; p=0.006), without heterogeneity between CEA and CAS. CONCLUSION: In patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, GCS, CCO, as well as echolucent plaque morphology were associated with a higher risk of cerebrovascular events. The risk of stroke in the periprocedural period was increased by GCS in CEA and by echolucent plaque in CAS. Due to small sample size, results must be interpreted carefully.

Impact of Stereotactic Ventriculocisternostomy on Delayed Cerebral Infarction and Outcome After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background and Purpose- Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Stereotactic catheter ventriculocisternostomy (STX-VCS) and fibrinolytic/spasmolytic lavage is a new method for DCI prevention. Here, we assess the effects of implementing STX-VCS in an unselected aSAH patient population of a tertiary referral center. Methods- Retrospective cohort study of all consecutive aSAH patients admitted to a neurosurgical referral center during a 7-year period (April 2012 to April 2019). Midterm STX-VCS was introduced and offered to patients at high risk for DCI. We compared the incidence and burden of DCI, neurological outcome, and the use of induced hypertension and endovascular rescue therapy in this consecutive aSAH population 3.5 years before versus 3.5 years after STX-VCS became available. Results- Four hundred thirty-six consecutive patients were included: 222 BEFORE and 214 AFTER. Fifty-seven of 214 (27%) patients received STX-VCS. Stereotactic procedures resulted in one (2%) subdural hematoma. Favorable neurological outcome at 6 months occurred in 118 (53%) patients BEFORE and 139 (65%) patients AFTER (relative risk, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.66-0.95]). DCI occurred in 40 (18.0%) patients BEFORE and 17 (7.9%) patients AFTER (relative risk, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.57-0.86]), and total DCI volumes were 8933 (100%) and 3329 mL (36%), respectively. Induced hypertension was used in 97 (44%) and 30 (15%) patients, respectively (relative risk, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.46-0.65]). Thirty (13.5%) patients BEFORE versus 5 (2.3%) patients AFTER underwent endovascular rescue therapies (relative risk, 0.17 [95% CI, 0.07-0.42]). Conclusions- Selecting high-risk patients for STX-VCS reduced the DCI incidence, burden, and related mortality in a consecutive aSAH patient population. This was associated with an improved neurological outcome.

Emergency Free-Hand Bedside Catheter Evacuation of Large Intracerebral Hematomas Following Thrombolysis for Ischemic Stroke: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) following systemic thrombolysis for ischemic stroke is often devastating, and open surgical evacuation is considered dangerous due to the increased risk of perioperative bleeding, and stereotactic placement of a catheter is too time-consuming. We therefore evaluated the feasibility of a free-hand bedside catheter technique for emergency hematoma evacuation. METHODS: Patients who had a supratentorial sICH after thrombolysis, a hematoma volume > 30 ml, and an ensuing reduction in vigilance were consecutively treated with acute minimally invasive catheter hematoma evacuation. Catheter insertion and trajectory were planned via 3D-reconstructed computed tomography (CT) scan, and free-hand insertion of an external ventricular catheter into the core of the hematoma was performed bedside, followed by careful blood aspiration. Cranial CT was used to verify catheter position and residual hematoma volume. In cases, where the residual volume exceeded 15 ml, urokinase (5000 IE) was administered into the clot every 6 h until the volume decreased to < 15 ml. RESULTS: In all six patients, catheter aspiration immediately reduced hematoma volume by 77%, from 73 ± 20 ml to 17 ± 16 ml (p = 0.028). In four patients, the hematoma was almost completely removed (< 10 ml) by singular aspiration. In the remaining two patients with a residual hematoma size > 15 ml, consecutive urokinase application resulted in a further reduction to 1 ml and 15 ml, respectively, after 30 h. The median National Institues of Health Stroke Scale/Score after sICH was 19.5 points, rapidly decreasing to 11 after catheter aspiration (p = 0.027), and further improving to 4 at discharge. No procedure-related complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency free-hand bedside catheter aspiration is a reasonable option for hematoma evacuation in large thrombolysis-associated sICH when performed by experienced neurosurgeons. Larger studies would help in determining the generalizability of our findings to other centers and assessing their impact on functional outcome.

Reversal of dabigatran using idarucizumab: single center experience in four acute stroke patients.

Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor and a non-vitamin-K-antagonizing oral anticoagulant, approved for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolization in atrial fibrillation. Idarucizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that was recently approved for antagonizing the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran. Here, we report the use of idarucizumab in four acute stroke patients treated with dabigatran in order to enable intravenous thrombolysis in three patients and emergent trepanation in one patient with space occupying subdural hematoma. Since experience on the optimal management of acute stroke patients under medication with dabigatran and on the use of idarucizumab is currently limited, we propose an approach for laboratory testing and fast administration of intravenous thrombolysis and neurosurgery based on our experience.

Stereotactic Catheter Ventriculocisternostomy for Clearance of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is a major source of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. We report a novel intervention-stereotactic catheter ventriculocisternostomy (STX-VCS) and fibrinolytic/spasmolytic lavage therapy-for DCI prevention. Outcomes of 20 consecutive patients are compared with 60 matched controls. METHODS: On the basis of individual treatment decisions, STX-VCS was performed in 20 high-risk aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients admitted to our department between September 2015 and October 2016. Three controls matched for age, sex, aneurysm treatment method, and admission Hunt and Hess grade were assigned to each case treated by STX-VCS. DCI was the primary outcome. Mortality and mRS at rehabilitation discharge were secondary outcome parameters. The association between STX-VCS and DCI, mortality, and mRS was assessed by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Stereotactic procedures were performed without surgical complications. Continuous cisternal lavage was feasible in 17 of 20 patients (85%). One adverse event because of cisternal lavage was without sequelae. DCI occurred in 25 of 60 (42%) controls and 3 of 20 (15%) patients with STX-VCS (odds ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.64). Mortality occurred in 20 of 60 (33%) controls and 1 of 20 (5%) patients with STX-VCS, respectively (odds ratio, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 - 0.66). Favorable outcome (mRS≤3) at rehabilitation discharge was observed in 12 of 20 patients with STX-VCS (60%) versus 21 of 60 (35%) matched controls (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: STX-VCS was feasible and safe in patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Initial results indicate that DCI and mortality can be reduced, and neurological outcome may be improved with this method.

Recanalization therapies in acute ischemic stroke patients: impact of prior treatment with novel oral anticoagulants on bleeding complications and outcome.

BACKGROUND: We explored the safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or intra-arterial treatment (IAT) in patients with ischemic stroke on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs, last intake <48 hours) in comparison with patients (1) taking vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or (2) without previous anticoagulation (no-OAC). METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a multicenter cohort pilot study. Primary outcome measures were (1) occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in 3 categories: any ICH (ICHany), symptomatic ICH according to the criteria of the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II (ECASS-II) (sICHECASS-II) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) thrombolysis trial (sICHNINDS); and (2) death (at 3 months). Cohorts were compared by using propensity score matching. Our NOAC cohort comprised 78 patients treated with IVT/IAT and the comparison groups of 441 VKA patients and 8938 no-OAC patients. The median time from last NOAC intake to IVT/IAT was 13 hours (interquartile range, 8-22 hours). In VKA patients, median pre-IVT/IAT international normalized ratio was 1.3 (interquartile range, 1.1-1.6). ICHany was observed in 18.4% NOAC patients versus 26.8% in VKA patients and 17.4% in no-OAC patients. sICHECASS-II and sICHNINDS occurred in 2.6%/3.9% NOAC patients, in comparison with 6.5%/9.3% of VKA patients and 5.0%/7.2% of no-OAC patients, respectively. At 3 months, 23.0% of NOAC patients in comparison with 26.9% of VKA patients and 13.9% of no-OAC patients had died. Propensity score matching revealed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: IVT/IAT in selected patients with ischemic stroke under NOAC treatment has a safety profile similar to both IVT/IAT in patients on subtherapeutic VKA treatment or in those without previous anticoagulation. However, further prospective studies are needed, including the impact of specific coagulation tests.

Early Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Predicts the Occurrence and Severity of Symptomatic Vasospasm and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral vasospasm usually develops several days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and is generally acknowledged as a strong outcome predictor. In contrast, much less is known about the nature and eventual consequences of early angiographic vasospasm (EAVS) seen on admission digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Therefore, we aimed at identifying the risk factors and clinical impact of EAVS after SAH. METHODS: Five hundred and thirty-one SAH patients with admission DSA performed within 72 h after the bleeding event were selected from a comprehensive database containing all consecutive SAH patients treated at our institution between January 2005 and December 2012. Predictors of EAVS, as well as associations between EAVS and delayed vasospasm-related complications, and unfavorable outcome (defined as modified Rankin scale >3) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: EAVS was seen on 60 DSAs (11.3%) and was independently correlated with delayed symptomatic vasospasm requiring intra-arterial spasmolysis (OR 5.24, p < 0.0001), angioplasty (OR 2.56, p = 0.015) and repetitive endovascular treatment (OR 4.71, p < 0.0001). EAVS also increased the risk for multiple versus single territorial infarction on the follow-up CT scan(s) (OR 2.04, p = 0.047) and independently predicted unfavorable outcome (OR 2.93, p = 0.008). The presence of radiographic signs suspicious for fibromuscular dysplasia were independently associated with the occurrence of EAVS (OR 2.98, p = 0.026) and the need for repetitive endovascular vasospasm treatment (OR 3.95, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: In view of the strong correlation with delayed symptomatic vasospasm and its ischemic complications, EAVS can be considered an alerting signal for severe symptomatic vasospasm. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the presence of EAVS on admission DSA.

Severe Cerebral Venous and Sinus Thrombosis: Clinical Course, Imaging Correlates, and Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Severe cerebral venous-sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a rare disease, and its clinical course, imaging correlates, as well as long-term prognosis have not yet been investigated systematically. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study. Inclusion criteria were CVT, Glasgow coma scale ≤9, and treatment in the intensive care unit. Primary outcome was death or dependency, assessed by a modified Rankin Score (mRS) >2 at last follow-up. RESULTS: 114 patients were included. At last follow-up (median 2.5 years), 38 patients (33.3 %) showed no or minor residual symptoms (mRS = 0 or 1), 12 (10.5 %) had a mild (mRS = 2), 13 (11.4 %) a moderate (mRS = 3), 12 (10.5 %) a severe disability (mRS = 4 or 5), and 39 (34.2 %) had died. In bivariate analysis, predictors of poor outcome were any signs of mass effect on imaging, clinical deterioration after admission, and age. In contrast, clinical symptoms on admission and parenchymal lesions per se, such as edema, infarction, or hemorrhage were not predictive. Multivariate predictors of poor outcome were an increase in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥3 after admission [odds ratio (OR) 6.7], bilateral motor signs in the further course (OR 9.2), and midline shift (OR 5.1). CONCLUSION: The outcome of severe CVT is almost equally divided between severe impairment or death and survival with no or only mild handicap. Specifically, space-occupying mass effect and associated neurologic deterioration seem to determine a poor outcome. Therefore, early detection and treatment of mass effect should be the focus of critical care.

Endovascular Treatment versus Sonothrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are 2 strategies to increase the effect of systemic thrombolysis with alteplase (rtPA) in acute major stroke: endovascular treatment via stent retrieval and ultrasound enhancement (sonothrombolysis). This study compares these 2 approaches in patients with proximal intracranial occlusion of the anterior circulation. METHODS: Consecutive data on the treatment outcome of acute middle cerebral artery (M1) or carotid T occlusion were collected from 2 stroke centers: one center used rtPA plus endovascular stent retrieval as standard treatment and the other rtPA plus ultrasound (sonothrombolysis). The primary outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-2) after neurorehabilitation. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were assessed (n = 73 endovascular, n = 59 sonothrombolysis). The rate of functional independence was higher for endovascular treatment (adjusted OR 3.89 (95% CI 1.36-12.58)). Additionally, ordinal mRS analysis favored the endovascular strategy (adjusted common OR 1.70 (95% CI 0.88-3.31)). Subgroup analysis showed that endovascular treatment was superior for carotid T occlusion (adjusted common OR 5.61 (95% CI 1.60-20.93)), but not for middle cerebral artery occlusion (adjusted common OR 1.07 (95% CI 0.47-2.43)). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 3 patients from the endovascular group. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study suggests that endovascular treatment of acute major anterior circulation stroke is superior to sonothrombolysis in terms of functional outcome. This benefit seems to pertain primarily to patients with carotid T occlusion, whereas patients with M1 occlusion seem to profit in a similar way from both methods. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.germanctr.de. Unique identifier: DRKS0000x200B;5305.).