Developing Systems of Emergency and Inpatient Neurologic Care in Resource-Limited Settings.

Neurologic diseases represent a significant global health challenge, leading to disability and mortality worldwide. Healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries are disproportionally affected. In these resource-limited settings, numerous barriers hinder the effective delivery of emergency and inpatient neurologic care, including shortages of trained personnel, limited access to diagnostics and essential medications, inadequate facilities, and absence of rehabilitation services. Disparities in the neurology workforce, limited access to neuroimaging, and availability of acute interventions further exacerbate the problem. This article explores strategies to enhance global capacity for inpatient neurologic care, emphasizing the importance of workforce development, context-specific protocols, telehealth solutions, advocacy efforts, and collaborations.

Equity in Clinical Care and Research Involving Persons with Disorders of Consciousness.

People with disorders of consciousness (DoC) are characteristically unable to synchronously participate in decision-making about clinical care or research. The inability to self-advocate exacerbates preexisting socioeconomic and geographic disparities, which include the wide variability observed across individuals, hospitals, and countries in access to acute care, expertise, and sophisticated diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic interventions. Concerns about equity for people with DoC are particularly notable when they lack a surrogate decision-maker (legally referred to as "unrepresented" or "unbefriended"). Decisions about both short-term and long-term life-sustaining treatment typically rely on neuroprognostication and individual patient preferences that carry additional ethical considerations for people with DoC, as even individuals with well thought out advance directives cannot anticipate every possible situation to guide such decisions. Further challenges exist with the inclusion of people with DoC in research because consent must be completed (in most circumstances) through a surrogate, which excludes those who are unrepresented and may discourage investigators from exploring questions related to this population. In this article, the Curing Coma Campaign Ethics Working Group reviews equity considerations in clinical care and research involving persons with DoC in the following domains: (1) access to acute care and expertise, (2) access to diagnostics and therapeutics, (3) neuroprognostication, (4) medical decision-making for unrepresented people, (5) end-of-life decision-making, (6) access to postacute rehabilitative care, (7) access to research, (8) inclusion of unrepresented people in research, and (9) remuneration and reciprocity for research participation. The goal of this discussion is to advance equitable, harmonized, guideline-directed, and goal-concordant care for people with DoC of all backgrounds worldwide, prioritizing the ethical standards of respect for autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Although the focus of this evaluation is on people with DoC, much of the discussion can be extrapolated to other critically ill persons worldwide.

Inpatient Management of Acute Stroke of Unknown Type in Resource-Limited Settings.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with a disproportionate burden on low- and middle-income countries. Critical elements of guideline-based stroke care developed in high-income countries are not applicable to resource-limited settings, where lack of access to neuroimaging prevents clinicians from distinguishing between ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage, requiring challenging clinical decision-making, particularly in the acute setting. We discuss strategies for acute inpatient management of stroke of unknown type with a focus on blood pressure management and antiplatelet therapy when neuroimaging is unavailable, and review some of the challenges and strategies for successfully implementing stroke unit care in resource-limited health care settings.

Safety and efficacy of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in cerebral venous thrombosis: A meta-analysis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is caused by partial or complete occlusion of the major cerebral venous sinuses or the smaller feeding cortical veins which predispose to the risk of venous infarction and hemorrhage. Current guidelines recommend treating CVT with either low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) followed by an oral vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for 3-12 months. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have already established benefit over warfarin as a long-term treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolic disorder like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) given its equal efficacy and better safety profile. The benefit of DOACs over warfarin as a long-term anticoagulation for CVT has likewise been extensively studied, yet it has not been approved as first-line therapy in the current practice. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies to generate robust evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of DOACs in CVT. This meta-analysis demonstrates that the use of DOACs in CVT has similar efficacy and safety compared to VKAs with better recanalization rate.

Global lessons learned from COVID-19 mass casualty incidents.

With healthcare systems rapidly becoming overwhelmed and occupied by patients during a pandemic, effective and safe care for patients is easily compromised. During the course of the current pandemic, numerous treatment guidelines have been developed and published that have improved care for patients with COVID-19. Certain lessons have only been learned during the course of the outbreak, from which we can learn for future pandemics. This editorial aims to raise awareness about the importance of timely stockpiling of sufficient amounts of personal protection equipment and medications, adequate oxygen supplies, uninterrupted electricity, and fair locally adapted triage strategies.

Providing Neurocritical Care in Resource-Limited Settings: Challenges and Opportunities.

Acute neurologic illnesses (ANI) contribute significantly to the global burden of disease and cause disproportionate death and disability in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) where neurocritical care resources and expertise are limited. Shifting epidemiologic trends in recent decades have increased the worldwide burden of noncommunicable diseases, including cerebrovascular disease and traumatic brain injury, which coexist in many LMICs with a persistently high burden of central nervous system infections such as tuberculosis, neurocysticercosis, and HIV-related opportunistic infections and complications. In the face of this heavy disease burden, many resource-limited countries lack the infrastructure to provide adequate care for patients with ANI. Major gaps exist between wealthy and poor countries in access to essential resources such as intensive care unit beds, neuroimaging, clinical laboratories, neurosurgical capacity, and medications for managing complex neurologic emergencies. Moreover, many resource-limited countries face critical shortages in health care workers trained to manage neurologic emergencies, with subspecialized neurocritical care expertise largely absent outside of high-income countries. Numerous opportunities exist to overcome these challenges through capacity-building efforts that improve outcomes for patients with ANI in resource-limited countries. These include research on needs and best practices for ANI management in LMICs, developing systems for effective triage, education and training to expand the neurology workforce, and supporting increased collaboration and data sharing among LMIC health care workers and systems. The success of these efforts in curbing the disproportionate and rising impact of ANI in LMICs will depend on the coordinated engagement of the global neurocritical care community.

Visiting and Communication Policy in Intensive Care Units during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Survey from South Asia and the Middle East.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had affected the visiting or communicating policies for family members. We surveyed the intensive care units (ICUs) in South Asia and the Middle East to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on visiting and communication policies. Materials and method: A web-based cross-sectional survey was used to collect data between March 22, 2021, and April 7, 2021, from healthcare professionals (HCP) working in COVID and non-COVID ICUs (one response per ICU). The topics of the questionnaire included current and pre-pandemic policies on visiting, communication, informed consent, and end-of-life care in ICUs. Results: A total of 292 ICUs (73% of COVID ICUs) from 18 countries were included in the final analysis. Most (92%) of ICUs restricted their visiting hours, and nearly one-third (32.3%) followed a "no-visitor" policy. There was a significant change in the daily visiting duration in COVID ICUs compared to the pre-pandemic times (p = 0.011). There was also a significant change (p <0.001) in the process of informed consent and end-of-life discussions during the ongoing pandemic compared to pre-pandemic times. Conclusion: Visiting and communication policies of the ICUs had significantly changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies are needed to understand the sociopsychological and medicolegal implications of revised policies. How to cite this article: Chanchalani G, Arora N, Nasa P, Sodhi K, Al Bahrani MJ, Al Tayar A, et al. Visiting and Communication Policy in Intensive Care Units during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Survey from South Asia and the Middle East. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(3):268-275.

Systolic blood pressure variability following endovascular thrombectomy and clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis.

Blood pressure variability (BPV) has been linked with the outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, the association of the stroke outcome with specific short-term BPV parameters is unclear. We did a systematic literature search for studies published from January 2010 to September 2020. Eligibility criteria included studies with (1) AIS patients treated with EVT with or without thrombolysis; and (2) analysis of the association between short-term systolic BPV parameter and clinical outcomes. Systolic BPV parameters included standard deviation (SD), coefficient of Variation (CoV), successive Variation (SV), and Variation independent of mean. A total of 11 studies were meta-analyzed, comprising 3520 patients who underwent EVT. Lower odds of achieving good functional outcome at 3 months; that is, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤2 was associated with SD (OR, 0.854; p = .02), CoV (OR, 0.572; p = .04), SV (OR 0.41; p = .00) of systolic blood pressure (SBP). Likewise, higher odds of one-point increase in mRS score was associated with SD (OR 1.42; p = .03), CoV (OR 1.464; p = .00) and SV (OR 2.605; p = .00) of SBP. However, high BPV was not associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and all-cause mortality at 90 days. The association of BPV and early neurological deterioration was inconclusive. Based on the available studies, short-term systolic BPV is indicative of the clinical outcome of patients following EVT in AIS. Further research should focus on personalized blood pressure management strategies, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Neurological manifestations of COVID-19: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Our understanding of the impact this virus has on the nervous system is limited. Our review aims to inform and improve decision-making among the physicians treating COVID-19 by presenting a systematic analysis of the neurological manifestations experienced within these patients. METHODS: Any study, released prior to May 20, 2020, that reported neurological manifestations in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 was systematically reviewed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic review and Meta-Analysis) statement. RESULTS: Our systematic review included data from 37 articles: twelve retrospective studies, two prospective studies, and the rest case reports/series. The most commonly reported neurological manifestations of COVID-19 were myalgia, headache, altered sensorium, hyposmia, and hypogeusia. Uncommonly, COVID-19 can also present with central nervous system manifestations such as ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, encephalo-myelitis, and acute myelitis, peripheral nervous manifestations such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and Bell's palsy, and skeletal muscle manifestations such as rhabdomyolysis. CONCLUSION: While COVID-19 typically presents as a self-limiting respiratory disease, it has been reported in up to 20% of patients to progress to severe illness with multi-organ involvement. The neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are not uncommon, but our study found most resolve with treatment of the underlying infection. Although the timeliness of this review engages current challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, readers must not ignore the limitations and biases intrinsic to an early investigation.

Perioperative Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Transesophageal Echocardiography in Resource- Limited Settings-A Focus on Nepal and Bangladesh.

The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the perioperative and critical care setting is increasing worldwide. This increase has been driven by increasing educational opportunities and technologic advances. Nepal and Bangladesh are resource-limited countries where concerted efforts have been made to increase training in POCUS or TEE in the perioperative and critical care settings. This paper's focus is to present the current state of use and international efforts to improve education and skills in perioperative POCUS and TEE in Nepal and Bangladesh. The authors also examine the challenges to improving and expanding ultrasound use in the perioperative environment in resource- limited environments in general, using the Nepalese and Bangladeshi experiences as case studies. The authors have held multiple short courses in POCUS or TEE in Nepal and Bangladesh over the past several years. The authors found a high level of interest in learning POCUS and TEE skills among participants. They encountered challenges with maintaining continuing education and quality assurance for participants after the courses. They also identified barriers to incorporating ultrasound into daily practice in local hospitals. An increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease will increase the need for diagnostic strategies for patients worldwide, including the use of POCUS and TEE, to manage patients in the perioperative and critical care settings. The courses held in Nepal and Bangladesh may serve as models to expand educational opportunities in POCUS and perioperative TEE in resource-limited settings.

Determination of Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria: The World Brain Death Project.

IMPORTANCE: There are inconsistencies in concept, criteria, practice, and documentation of brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) both internationally and within countries. OBJECTIVE: To formulate a consensus statement of recommendations on determination of BD/DNC based on review of the literature and expert opinion of a large multidisciplinary, international panel. PROCESS: Relevant international professional societies were recruited to develop recommendations regarding determination of BD/DNC. Literature searches of the Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE databases included January 1, 1992, through April 2020 identified pertinent articles for review. Because of the lack of high-quality data from randomized clinical trials or large observational studies, recommendations were formulated based on consensus of contributors and medical societies that represented relevant disciplines, including critical care, neurology, and neurosurgery. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Based on review of the literature and consensus from a large multidisciplinary, international panel, minimum clinical criteria needed to determine BD/DNC in various circumstances were developed. RECOMMENDATIONS: Prior to evaluating a patient for BD/DNC, the patient should have an established neurologic diagnosis that can lead to the complete and irreversible loss of all brain function, and conditions that may confound the clinical examination and diseases that may mimic BD/DNC should be excluded. Determination of BD/DNC can be done with a clinical examination that demonstrates coma, brainstem areflexia, and apnea. This is seen when (1) there is no evidence of arousal or awareness to maximal external stimulation, including noxious visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation; (2) pupils are fixed in a midsize or dilated position and are nonreactive to light; (3) corneal, oculocephalic, and oculovestibular reflexes are absent; (4) there is no facial movement to noxious stimulation; (5) the gag reflex is absent to bilateral posterior pharyngeal stimulation; (6) the cough reflex is absent to deep tracheal suctioning; (7) there is no brain-mediated motor response to noxious stimulation of the limbs; and (8) spontaneous respirations are not observed when apnea test targets reach pH <7.30 and Paco2 ≥60 mm Hg. If the clinical examination cannot be completed, ancillary testing may be considered with blood flow studies or electrophysiologic testing. Special consideration is needed for children, for persons receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and for those receiving therapeutic hypothermia, as well as for factors such as religious, societal, and cultural perspectives; legal requirements; and resource availability. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This report provides recommendations for the minimum clinical standards for determination of brain death/death by neurologic criteria in adults and children with clear guidance for various clinical circumstances. The recommendations have widespread international society endorsement and can serve to guide professional societies and countries in the revision or development of protocols and procedures for determination of brain death/death by neurologic criteria, leading to greater consistency within and between countries.

Gender Parity in Critical Care Medicine.

Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. These documents inform and shape patient care around the world. In this Perspective we discuss the importance of diversity on guideline panels, the disproportionately low representation of women on critical care guideline panels, and existing initiatives to increase the representation of women in corporations, universities, and government. We propose five strategies to ensure gender parity within critical care medicine.

Sonographic Measurement of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter: How Steep is the Learning Curve for a Novice Operator?

BACKGROUND: Transbulbar sonography for measuring optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is noninvasive bedside technique for detection of raised intracranial pressure. This study aims to evaluate the number of sonographic evaluations required for a novice operator to learn proper measurement of ONSD after a formal training and supervised scanning session. METHODS: Three novice operators and one expert operator measured ONSD of 27 healthy volunteers using linear array transducer HFL38x (frequency range of 6-13 MHz) (MicroMaxx®; SonoSite, USA). In each eye, ONSD was measured three times by each observer and mean value was determined. Correlation coefficient was calculated between the novice and the experienced operator and in between the novice operators. Number of scans, after which the significant correlation developed between novice and the experienced operator and between the novice operators, was analyzed. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha was tested to evaluate the reliability of the values obtained from intra- and interobservations. For all 27 cases, the value of Cronbach's alpha was high: 0.80-0.99 for the right eye and 0.69-0.97 for the left eye. The mean interobserver variations were plotted on a graph which fluctuated largely in the first 17 cases but oscillated around 0.5-0.30 in the last 10 cases. CONCLUSION: Learning curve for novice operators to measure ONSD is steep and they can be taught to measure ONSD in healthy volunteers by sonography in supervised clinical session with an acceptable clinical precision and accuracy comparable to an experienced operator.

Delivering neurocritical care in resource-challenged environments.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Resource-challenged environments of low and middle-income countries face a significant burden of neurocritical illness. This review attempts to elaborate on the multiple barriers to delivering neurocritical care in these settings and the possible solutions to overcome such barriers. RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiology of neurocritical illness appears to have changed over time in low and middle-income countries. In addition to neuro-infection, noncommunicable neurological illnesses like stroke, traumatic brain injury, and traumatic spinal cord injury pose a significant neurocritical burden in resource-limited settings. Many barriers that exist hinder effective delivery of neurocritical care in resource-challenged environments. Very little information exists about the neurocritical care capacity. Research and publications are few. Intensive care unit beds and trained personnel are significantly lacking. Awareness about the risk factors of preventable conditions, including stroke, is lacking. Prehospital care and trauma systems are poorly developed. There should be attempts to leverage neurocritical care in these settings with focus on promoting research, local training, capacity building, preventive measures like vaccination, raising awareness, and developing prehospital care. SUMMARY: Considering the disease burden and potentials to improve outcome, attempts should be made to develop neurocritical care in resource-challenged environments. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COCC/A11.

Cerebral venous thrombosis presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon cause of stroke. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare type of hemolytic anemia, frequently associated with thrombophilia. PNH may rarely present with CVT. Approximately, one-third of the patients with CVT develop cerebral hemorrhage. Here, we present a rare combination of CVT presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage in a patient with PNH. High index of suspicion is needed to avoid misdiagnosis. Patient was successfully managed with anticoagulation therapy.

Point-of-care ultrasonography of the orbit for detection of retinal detachment in a patient with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome.

Retinal detachment is a rare, but well-known cause of visual impairment in patients with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. With supportive care, patients usually improve, with complete recovery of vision. Bedside ultrasonography of the orbit can be helpful for early detection of retinal detachment in these patients. Here, we present a case of HELLP syndrome presenting with severe visual symptoms. Retinal detachment was detected with point-of-care ocular sonography, which was confirmed with ophthalmoscopic examination. The patient was reassured of the favorable prognosis. Early initiation of aggressive supportive care was followed by progressive improvement of vision, which correlated with sonographic evidence of resolution of detachment. Her vision recovered completely in 2 weeks.