Favorable Neurological Recovery Research Articles

Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Cardiac Arrest Outcomes During COVID-19 Pandemic

IntroductionThe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected healthcare services, potentially leading to inequitable outcomes based on patients’ socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes by examining disparities across SES levels. MethodsThe study analyzed non-traumatic OHCA cases registered in the Korean Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry from 2010 to 2021, encompassing 238,668 patients aged 18 years and older. SES was assessed at both the individual (Medicaid vs non-Medicaid) and area levels using a deprivation index. Outcomes included any return of spontaneous circulation, survival to admission, survival to discharge, and favorable neurological recovery. Logistic regression and generalized additive models (GAMs) were used for analysis. ResultsOHCA outcomes—including survival to admission, survival to discharge, and favorable neurological recovery—improved over the years, peaking in 2019 before subsequently declining. Logistic regression showed that the lowest SES area was associated with lower rates of ROSC (adjusted odds rations [aOR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–0.88) and survival to admission (aOR 0.56, 95%CI 0.49–0.64) and discharge (aOR 0.78, 95%CI 0.61–0.98) during the pandemic. GAM analysis revealed that lower SES groups (deprivation index levels 4 and 5) experienced higher-than-expected survival to admission and discharge rates, as well as favorable neurological recovery. Although outcomes in the deprivation index level 1 group (5.5% in 2021) remained superior, indicating poor outcomes for the lowest SES area group (3.43% in 2021), the disparity decreased following the pandemic. ConclusionLower levels of SES are a significant risk factor for unfavorable neurological recovery in OHCA, independent of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, SES-related disparities in the outcomes decreased post-pandemic. Despite the overall negative impact of COVID-19, certain lower SES groups showed improved survival rates, likely due to differences in the EMS response and healthcare burden across regions.

The compliance with TTM protocol may benefit outcomes in cardiac arrest survivors: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundEstablished protocols for implementing high-quality targeted temperature management (TTM) provide guidance concerning the cooling rate, duration of maintenance, and rewarming speed. However, whether compliant to TTM protocols results in improved survival and better neurological recovery has not been examined. MethodsA retrospective cohort study enrolled 1141 survivors of non-traumatic adult cardiac arrest with a pre-arrest cerebral performance category (CPC) score of 1–2 from 2015 to 2020 at a tertiary medical center. Of the survivors, 330 patients who underwent TTM were further included. Patients with spontaneous hypothermia (<35 °C) (n = 107) and expired during the TTM (n = 21) were excluded. A total of 202 patients were thus enrolled. One hundred and ten patients underwent TTM that completely complied with the protocol (protocol-complaint group), but 92 patients deviated in some manner from the protocol (protocol non-compliant group). ResultsFifty patients (50%) and 46 patients (50%) in the protocol-compliant and non-compliant groups, respectively, did not survive to hospital discharge. In the protocol-compliant group, 42 patients (38.2%) had favorable neurological recovery, compared with 32 patients (34.8%) in the protocol non-compliant group. After adjusting for age, initial shockable rhythm, witnessed collapse, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration, protocol non-compliant was associated with the poor neurological outcomes (aOR 2.44, 95% CI = 1.13–5.25), but not with in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.31, 95% CI = 0.70–2.47). The most common reason for noncompliance was a prolonged duration reaching the target temperature (n = 33, 58.7%). The number of phases of non-compliant was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality or poor neurological recovery. ConclusionAmong cardiac arrest survivors undergoing TTM, those who did not receive TTM that in compliance with the protocol were more likely to experience poor neurological recovery than those whose TTM fully complied with the protocols. The most frequently identified deviation was a prolonged duration to reaching the target temperature.

Prognostic Impact of Heart Rhythm Shockability Trajectory in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between the temporal transitions in heart rhythms during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This was an analysis of the prospectively collected databases in 3 academic hospitals in northern and central Taiwan. Adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest transported by emergency medical service between 2015 and 2022 were included. Favorable neurological recovery and survival to hospital discharge were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Time-specific heart rhythm shockability was defined as the probability of shockable rhythms at a particular time point during CPR. The temporal changes in the time-specific heart rhythm shockability were calculated by group-based trajectory modeling. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between the trajectory group and outcomes. Subgroup analyses examined the effects of extracorporeal CPR in different trajectories. The study comprised 2118 patients. The median patient age was 69.1 years, and 1376 (65.0%) patients were male. Three distinct trajectories were identified: high-shockability (52 patients; 2.5%), intermediate-shockability (262 patients; 12.4%), and low-shockability (1804 patients; 85.2%) trajectories. The median proportion of shockable rhythms over the course of CPR for the 3 trajectories was 81.7% (interquartile range, 73.2%-100.0%), 26.7% (interquartile range, 16.7%-37.5%), and 0% (interquartile range, 0%-0%), respectively. The multivariable analysis indicated both intermediate- and high-shockability trajectories were associated with favorable neurological recovery (intermediate-shockability: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.98 [95% CI, 2.34-10.59]; high-shockability: aOR, 5.40 [95% CI, 2.03-14.32]) and survival (intermediate-shockability: aOR, 2.46 [95% CI, 1.44-4.18]; high-shockability: aOR, 2.76 [95% CI, 1.20-6.38]). The subgroup analysis further indicated extracorporeal CPR was significantly associated with favorable neurological outcomes (aOR, 4.06 [95% CI, 1.11-14.81]) only in the intermediate-shockability trajectory. Heart rhythm shockability trajectories were associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes, which may be a supplementary factor in guiding the allocation of medical resources, such as extracorporeal CPR.

Prognostic implication of heart failure stage and left ventricular ejection fraction for patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest: a 16-year retrospective cohort study.

The 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guidelines for the management of heart failure (HF) makes therapeutic recommendations based on HF status. We investigated whether the prognosis of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) could be stratified by HF stage and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This single-center retrospective study analyzed the data of patients who experienced IHCA between 2005 and 2020. Based on admission diagnosis, past medical records, and pre-arrest echocardiography, patients were classified into general IHCA, at-risk for HF, pre-HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction or HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF-or-HFrEF) groups. This study included 2,466 patients, including 485 (19.7%), 546 (22.1%), 863 (35.0%), 342 (13.9%), and 230 (9.3%) patients with general IHCA, at-risk for HF, pre-HF, HFpEF, and HFmrEF-or-HFrEF, respectively. A total of 405 (16.4%) patients survived to hospital discharge, with 228 (9.2%) patients achieving favorable neurological recovery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that pre-HF and HFpEF were associated with better neurological (pre-HF, OR: 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-3.61, p = 0.006; HFpEF, OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.00-3.61, p = 0.05) and survival outcomes (pre-HF, OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.34-2.97, p < 0.001; HFpEF, OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.20-3.05, p = 0.007), compared with general IHCA. HF stage and LVEF could stratify patients with IHCA into different prognoses. Pre-HF and HFpEF were significantly associated with favorable neurological and survival outcomes after IHCA. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether HF status-directed management could improve IHCA outcomes.

Luxury Fracture of the Sacrum [S1 S2] and [S2 S3

Introduction: Transverse fractures of the sacrum are rare and constitute less than 1% of all vertebral fractures. While the majority is longitudinal, only 3 to 5% are transverse fractures. Transverse fractures are usually seen following a fall by high-energy trauma, hence the name “Suicidal jumper’s fractures”. Neurological deficits involving the sacral roots are common and have been reported at rates of 96% to 100% in the literature. Material and Methods: We describe two uncommon cases of fracture-dislocation of the sacrum, the first at the S2-S3 level and the second at the S1-S2 level treated by isolated laminectomy without internal fixation with cauda equina syndrome, during the year 2020 in our department, including a review of the literature on the treatment of this type of fracture. Result: Our two patients on neurologically recovered at 7 months post laminectomy. Conclusion: Isolated decompression can be considered for patients who present a stable sacrum with non-displaced fracture or an old fracture that shows fracture healing. Favorable pelvic outcomes and neurological recovery, along with acceptable stability, can be acquired.

Redefining CT perfusion-based ischemic core estimates for the ghost core in early time window stroke.

In large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke patients, relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF)<30% volume thresholds are commonly used in treatment decisions. In the early time window, nearly infarcted but salvageable tissue volumes may lead to pretreatment overestimates of infarct volume, and thus potentially exclude patients who may otherwise benefit from intervention. Our multisite analysis aims to explore the strength of relationships between widely used pretreatment CT parameters and clinical outcomes for early window stroke patients. Patients from two sites in a prospective registry were analyzed. Patients with LVOs, presenting within 3 hours of last known well, and who were successfully reperfused were included. Primary short-term neurological outcome was percent National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) change from admission to discharge. Secondary long-term outcome was 90-day modified Rankin score. Spearman's correlations were performed. Significance was attributed to p-value ≤.05. Among 73 patients, median age was 66 (interquartile range 54-76) years. Among all pretreatment imaging parameters, rCBF<30%, rCBF<34%, and rCBF<38% volumes were significantly, inversely correlated with percentage NIHSS change (p<.048). No other parameters significantly correlated with outcomes. Our multisite analysis shows that favorable short-term neurological recovery was significantly correlated with rCBF volumes in the early time window. However, modest strength of correlations provides supportive evidence that the applicability of general ischemic core estimate thresholds in this subpopulation is limited. Our results support future larger-scale efforts to liberalize or reevaluate current rCBF parameter thresholds guiding treatment decisions for early time window stroke patients.

Gender-related differences in adults concerning frequency, survival and treatment quality after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA): An observational cohort study from the German resuscitation registry

BackgroundIn Germany approximately 20,500 women and 41,000 men were resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) each year. We are currently experiencing a discussion about the possible undersupply of women in healthcare. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of OHCA in Germany, as well as the outcome and quality of resuscitation care for both women and men. MethodsWe present a cohort study from the German Resuscitation Registry (2006–2022). The quality of care was assessed for both EMS and hospital care based on risk-adjusted survival rates with the endpoints: “hospital admission with return of spontaneous circulation” (ROSCadmission) for all patients and ”discharge with favourable neurological recovery“ (CPC1/2discharge) for all admitted patients. Risk adjustment was performed using logistic regression analysis (LRA). If sex was significantly associated with survival, a matched-pairs-analysis (MPA) followed to explore the frequency of guideline adherence. Results58,798 patients aged ≥ 18 years with OHCA and resuscitation were included (men = 65.2%, women = 34.8%). In the prehospital phase the male gender was associated with lower ROSCadmission-rate (LRA: OR = 0.79, CI = 0.759–0.822). A total of 27,910 patients were admitted. During hospital care, men demonstrated a better prognosis (OR = 1.10; CI = 1.015–1.191). MPA revealed a more intensive therapy for men both during EMS and hospital care. Looking at the complete chain of survival, LRA revealed no difference for men and women concerning CPC1/2discharge (n = 58,798; OR = 0.95; CI = 0.888–1.024). ConclusionIn Germany, 80% more men than women experience OHCA. The prognosis for CPC1/2discharge remains low (men = 10.5%, women = 7.1%), but comparable after risk adjustment. There is evidence of undersupply of care for women during hospital treatment, which could be associated with a worse prognosis. Further investigations are required to clarify these findings.

The Impact of Head Position on Neurological and Histopathological Outcome Following Controlled Automated Reperfusion of the Whole Body (CARL) in a Pig Model.

Introduction: Based on extracorporeal circulation, targeted reperfusion strategies have been developed to improve survival and neurologic recovery in refractory cardiac arrest: Controlled Automated Reperfusion of the whoLe Body (CARL). Furthermore, animal and human cadaver studies have shown beneficial effects on cerebral pressure due to head elevation during conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of head elevation on survival, neurologic recovery and histopathologic outcome in addition to CARL in an animal model. Methods: After 20 min of ventricular fibrillation, 46 domestic pigs underwent CARL, including high, pulsatile extracorporeal blood flow, pH-stat acid-base management, priming with a colloid, mannitol and citrate, targeted oxygen, carbon dioxide and blood pressure management, rapid cooling and slow rewarming. N = 25 were head-up (HUP) during CARL, and N = 21 were supine (SUP). After weaning from ECC, the pigs were extubated and followed up in the animal care facility for up to seven days. Neuronal density was evaluated in neurohistopathology. Results: More animals in the HUP group survived and achieved a favorable neurological recovery, 21/25 (84%) versus 6/21 (29%) in the SUP group. Head positioning was an independent factor in neurologically favorable survival (p < 0.00012). Neurohistopathology showed no significant structural differences between HUP and SUP. Distinct, partly transient clinical neurologic deficits were blindness and ataxia. Conclusions: Head elevation during CARL after 20 min of cardiac arrest independently improved survival and neurologic outcome in pigs. Clinical follow-up revealed transient neurologic deficits potentially attributable to functions localized in the posterior perfusion area, whereas histopathologic findings did not show corresponding differences between the groups. A possible explanation of our findings may be venous congestion and edema as modifiable contributing factors of neurologic injury following prolonged cardiac arrest.

High versus low mean arterial pressure targets after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant healthcare burden, with an average global incidence of 55 per 100,000 person-years among adults. OHCA patients require blood pressure support to maintain effective mean arterial pressure (MAP) for cerebral reperfusion, which is usually achieved by intravascular fluids and vasopressors in the intensive care unit (ICU). Targeting a specific MAP has been evaluated as a treatment strategy after OHCA; however, the current evidence lacks clear guidelines regarding the optimal MAP target after OHCA. Purpose We aim to evaluate the efficacy of targeting a high MAP (&amp;gt;70 mmHg) versus a low MAP target (&amp;lt; 65 mmHg) after OHCA resuscitation. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane through January 18th, 2023. Continuous and dichotomous outcomes were pooled using mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR) along with confidence interval (CI), using Revman V. 5.4 software. Our review protocol was prospectively published on PROSPERO with ID: CRD42023395333. Results Four RCTs with a total of 1070 patients (531 in the high MAP target group and 534 in the low MAP target group) were included in our analysis. High MAP target was significantly associated with decreased ICU length of stay (MD: -0.78 with a 95 CI [-1.54, -0.02], P= .04) and mechanical ventilation duration (MD: -0.91 with a 95 CI of [-1.51, -0.31], P= .003). However, There was no difference between targeting a high MAP versus low MAP regarding all-cause mortality (RR: 1.07 with a 95% CI [0.91, 1.27], P= 0.4), favorable neurological recovery (cerebral categories scale (CPC) ≤ 2) (RR: 1.02 with a 95% CI [0.93, 1.13], P= 0.68), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) at 48 hours (MD: 0.54 with 95% CI [-1.67, 2.75], P = 0.63), the incidence of adverse events, including any bleeding (RR: 0.89 with a 95% CI [0.69, 1.36], P= 0.39); arrhythmia (RR: 0.91 with a 95% CI [0.46, 1.82], P= 0.79), or acute kidney injury (RR: 0.80 with a 95% CI [0.36, 1.76] and P = 0.58). Conclusion In patients with OHCA who have been resuscitated, targeting a higher MAP significantly reduced the ICU length of stay and mechanical ventilation, implying potential clinical benefit with an acceptable safety margin. However, there was no difference between targeting a high MAP versus a low MAP regarding all-cause mortality, favorable neurological recovery, and NSE. Therefore, further RCTs are still warranted to elucidate the potential clinical benefit of targeting a high MAP after OHCA before endorsement in clinical practice.Figure 1Figure 2

Abstract 331: Whether the Compliance of Target Temperature Management Protocol Affects Outcomes in Cardiac Arrest Survivors?

Background: Targeted temperature management (TTM) improves neurological recovery in cardiac arrest survivors and protocols have been established during the implementation of high quality TTM with recommended about cooling rate, duration of maintenance, and rewarming speed. Research question Whether fitting TTM protocols results in better survival and neurological recovery remains un-investigated. Aim: To evaluate the benefit of TTM protocol compliance on the outcomes in cardiac arrest survivors. Methods: The retrospective cohort study enrolled 1141 non-traumatic adult cardiac arrest survivors and pre-arrest Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score=1-2 during 2015-2020 at a tertiary medical center. Patients who underwent TTM (n=305) were further selected. Patients with spontaneous hypothermia (&lt;35°C) at ROSC (n=107) and those without TTM completion (n=21) were excluded. A total of 202 patients were finally enrolled in the study. As the protocol was divided into three categories: cooling rate, duration of maintenance, and rewarming speed, there were 110 patients in the protocol-fit group and 92 patients in the protocol non-fit group. The favorable neurological recovery was considered as CPC=1-2 at hospital discharge. Results: There were 42 patients (38.2%) in the protocol-fit group had favorable neurological recovery, while 32 patients (34.8%) in the protocol non-fit group. After adjusting age, initial shockable rhythm, witnessed collapse and CPR duration, the protocol non-fit group was associated to the poor neurological outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 2.23-5.35) but not the in-hospital mortality (aOR 2.31, 95% CI= 0.70-2.47). In the protocol non-fit group, the most common non-fitting reason was the prolong time-to-target temperature (n=33, 58.7%). Twenty-four patients who failed to fit the 2 categories. The number of non-fitting category was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality and poor neurological recovery due to limited sample number. Conclusion: Among cardiac arrest survivors undergoing TTM, patients who did not fit the TTM protocols were associated with poor neurological recovery than those who completely fit the protocols.

Abstract 13281: The Combined Effect of Omecamtiv Mecarbil and Low-Dose Dobutamine for Post-Arrest Myocardial Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Post-arrest myocardial dysfunction attributes unstable hemodynamic and mortality in successfully resuscitated cardiac arrest victims. Studies demonstrated that low-dose dobutamine (LDb) and Omecamtiv Mecarbil (OM) improved post-arrest myocardial dysfunction and neurological recovery, respectively. Hypothesis: Whether the combination of LDb and OM synergistically improves post-arrest myocardial dysfunction? Methods: Asphyxial cardiac arrest was induced in adult male wistar rats and left untreated for 9.5 minutes followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Successfully resuscitated animal were randomized into control group (without medication), OM group(0.25 mg/kg/h), LDb group (5 micrograms/Kg/min), and OM+LDb group, in which drugs or normal saline were continuously intravenously infused for 4 hours. Hemodynamic were monitored for 4 h after return of spontaneous circulation. Survival status and neurological recovery were observed for 72 h. The difference of biomarkers, histological examinations and mitochondrial function of myocardium between groups were evaluated. Results: As compared with the control group, the OM, LDb, and OM+LDb groups all demonstrated improved left ventricular systolic function (dp/dt40), better cardiac output, lower Troponin-I, higher 72-h survival, and more favorable neurological recovery. The LDb group showed a higher dp/dt40 and cardiac output than the OM group, whereas OM+LDb group did not demonstrated significant benefit when compared to OM and LDb, respectively. The OM, LDb, and OM+LDb mitigated post-arrest myocardial damage and cardiac mitochondrial injury, and ameliorated myocardial and hippocampus apoptosis. However, the OM+LDb group showed no superiority to the OM group or LDb group. Conclusions: Both OM and LDb improved post-arrest myocardial dysfunction, cardiac mitochondrial injury, survival, neurological recovery following cardiac arrest. However, OM+LDb group did not exert synergistic effect in ameliorate post-arrest myocardial dysfunction.

Abstract 159: Long-Term Survival and Neurological Follow-Up of Cardiac Arrest Survivors: Results From the French Multicentric Prospective Cohort the DESAC Study

Background: While short-term prognosis of cardiac arrest (CA) patients has been extensively studied, less is known regarding the mid- and long-term outcome of survivors. Aims: The aim of the DESAC study was to describe mid- and long-term survival and neurological status of CA survivors, and to assess the influence of pre- and intra-hospital therapeutic strategies on these outcomes. Methods: Between Jul 2015 and Oct 2018, patients over 18 years who were discharged alive from intensive care units in Paris and suburbs (France) after a non-traumatic CA were included and interviewed every 6 months during at least 24 months and up to 48 months in this multicentric study. Factors associated with Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale at 24 months were assessed with logistic regression, with CPC 1 or 2 level considered as a favorable neurological outcome. Trajectories of CPC were derived by mixed linear model in survivors with at least 3 evaluations. Results: Out of 593 survivors, 525 had a 24 months follow-up (mean age 57.6 +/-15.3, 79% men). CA occurred in public location in 251/525, with an initial shockable rhythm in 392/525. Prognostic factors independently associated with a favorable neurological outcome at 24 months were initial shockable rhythm (OR= 3.53 (1.65; 7.58)) and previous practice of sport (OR= 3.12 (1.20 ; 8.11)), whereas older age (OR per 10 years= 0.52 (0.40; 0.68)) and previous ischemic cardiomyopathy (OR= 0.34 (0.15 ; 0.77)) were poor prognostic factors. Therapeutic hypothermia or coronary procedures were not related to prognosis. Five trajectories of CPC could be derived among the 514 patients. Overall, 64% remained in CPC1, 13% in CPC2, 11% improved from CPC2 to CPC 12% died either early or lately (Figure 1). Conclusions: In this multicentric and prospective study, practice of sport and shockable rhythm were strongly associated with a favorable neurological recovery at 24 months. Furthermore, two thirds of the survivors remained in CPC 1 over time.

Increased blood flow of spinal cord lesion after decompression improves neurological recovery of degenerative cervical myelopathy: an intraoperative ultrasonography-based prospective cohort study.

Surgical decompression is a highly effective therapy for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), but the mechanisms of neurological recovery following decompression remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the spinal cord blood flow status after sufficient decompression by intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and to analyze the correlation between neurological recovery and postdecompressive spinal cord blood perfusion in DCM. Patients with multilevel DCM were treated by ultrasound-guided modified French-door laminoplasty using a self-developed rongeur. Neurological function was evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively. Spinal cord compression and cervical canal enlargement before and after surgery were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography. The decompression status was evaluated in real time by intraoperative ultrasonography, while the spinal cord blood flow after sufficient decompression was assessed by CEUS. Patients were categorized as favourable (≥50%) or unfavourable (<50%) recovery according to the recovery rate of the mJOA score at 12 months postoperatively. Twenty-nine patients were included in the study. The mJOA scores were significantly improved in all patients from 11.2±2.1 preoperatively to 15.0±1.1 at 12 months postoperatively, with an average recovery rate of 64.9±16.2%. Computerized tomography and intraoperative ultrasonography confirmed adequate enlargement of the cervical canal and sufficient decompression of the spinal cord, respectively. CEUS revealed that patients with favourable neurological recovery had a greater increased blood flow signal in the compressive spinal cord segment after decompression. In DCM, intraoperative CEUS can clearly reflect spinal cord blood flow. Patients with increased blood perfusion of the spinal cord lesion immediately after surgical decompression tended to achieve greater neurological recovery.

Cardiac Arrest and Neurologic Recovery: Insights from the Case of Mr. Damar Hamlin.

The association between brain injury after cardiac arrest and poor survival outcomes has led to longstanding pessimism. However, the publicly witnessed cardiac arrest, resuscitation, and acute management of Mr. Damar Hamlin and his favorable neurologic recovery provides some optimism. Mr. Hamlin's case highlights the neurologic advances of the last 2 decades and presents the opportunity to improve outcomes for all cardiac arrest patients in key areas: (1) effectively implementing the American Heart Association "Chain of Survival" to prevent initial brain injury and promote neuroprotection; (2) revisiting the process of neurologic prognostication and re-defining the brain recovery during the early periods, and (3) incorporating neurorehabilitation into existing cardiac rehabilitation models to support holistic recovery. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:871-876.

Intracranial aneurysms - a battle against time

Introduction: Intracranial aneurysms consist in abnormal dilatation of the cerebral arteries, most frequently asymptomatic, with symptoms appearing in the case of aneurysm rupture. From an imaging point of view, a cranial CT scan shows the subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by aneurysm rupture and the “gold standard” for aneurysm diagnosis is cerebral angiography.&#x0D; Case presentation: A 49 years-old female, Ukrainian refugee, presented with a unique comitial crisis and chronic headache. Following an MRI performed in Kiev, it was decided to perform a bilateral carotid and vertebral angiography in our clinic. Clinical and imagistic results showed a giant left middle cerebral artery aneurysm. Postoperative, the patient had a favourable neurological recovery, with no neurological deficits. Additionally, control angiography and CT scan highlight complete occlusion of the aneurysm and no complications.&#x0D; Conclusions: Cerebral aneurysms represent a high-risk vascular condition that needs a CT scan and angiography to be precisely diagnosed, surgical clipping should be performed as soon as possible.

Prognostication after cardiac arrest: how EEG and evoked potentials may improve the challenge.

About 80% of patients resuscitated from CA are comatose at ICU admission and nearly 50% of survivors are still unawake at 72h. Predicting neurological outcome of these patients is important to provide correct information to patient's relatives, avoid disproportionate care in patients with irreversible hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) and inappropriate withdrawal of care in patients with a possible favorable neurological recovery. ERC/ESICM 2021 algorithm allows a classification as "poor outcome likely" in 32%, the outcome remaining "indeterminate" in 68%. The crucial question is to know how we could improve the assessment of both unfavorable but also favorable outcome prediction. Neurophysiological tests, i.e., electroencephalography (EEG) and evoked-potentials (EPs) are a non-invasive bedside investigations. The EEG is the record of brain electrical fields, characterized by a high temporal resolution but a low spatial resolution. EEG is largely available, and represented the most widely tool use in recent survey examining current neuro-prognostication practices. The severity of HIBI is correlated with the predominant frequency and background continuity of EEG leading to "highly malignant" patterns as suppression or burst suppression in the most severe HIBI. EPs differ from EEG signals as they are stimulus induced and represent the summated activities of large populations of neurons firing in synchrony, requiring the average of numerous stimulations. Different EPs (i.e., somato sensory EPs (SSEPs), brainstem auditory EPs (BAEPs), middle latency auditory EPs (MLAEPs) and long latency event-related potentials (ERPs) with mismatch negativity (MMN) and P300 responses) can be assessed in ICU, with different brain generators and prognostic values. In the present review, we summarize EEG and EPs signal generators, recording modalities, interpretation and prognostic values of these different neurophysiological tools. Finally, we assess the perspective for futures neurophysiological investigations, aiming to reduce prognostic uncertainty in comatose and disorders of consciousness (DoC) patients after CA.

Long-Term Neurological, Behavioral, Functional, Quality of Life, and School Performance Outcomes in Children With Guillain-Barré Syndrome Admitted to PICU

BackgroundMost children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) recover but may suffer from long-term sequelae, interfering with development and quality of life. Owing to the lack of published data, we aimed to assess the long-term neurological, behavioral, functional, quality of life, and school performance outcomes them. MethodsDesign: Cross-sectional observational. Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit. Patients: Children, aged one to 12 years, with GBS admitted over five years (July 2012 to June 2017) were enrolled during one year (July 2017 to June 2018). These children were assessed for the following outcomes: neurological (Hughes disability score, Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category [PCPC], Pediatric Overall Performance Category [POPC], and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended Pediatric version [GOS-E Peds] scales), behavioral (Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule [CPMS]), functional (Vineland Social Maturity Scale [VSMS]-Indian Adaptation), quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life [PedsQL]), and school performance (Parent-Directed Questionnaire). ResultsEighty children were enrolled after a median of 3.0 (1.3-4.2) years from discharge. The majority (95%) had favorable neurological recovery (Hughes disability score 0 to 1). Favorable outcome was noted in 95% of children on PCPC, 87.5% on POPC, 60% on GOS-E Peds, 86.2% on CPMS, 92.5% on VSMS, and 98% on PedsQL. The majority (97.5%) of childre were attending schools, and 57.7% had satisfactory school performance. The presence of quadriparesis at admission, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy requirement, poor ambulatory status at discharge, and longer pediatric intensive care unit and hospital stay predicted unfavorable neurological outcome on different tools. Absence of quadriparesis at admission and no requirement of mechanical ventilation predicted a favorable result on all outcome measures. ConclusionsOn long-term follow-up, most children with severe GBS showed favorable neurological, behavioral, functional, and quality of life outcomes. Severe clinical presentation and prolonged intensive care unit stay predict poor long-term outcome.

Simultaneous intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages caused by multiple infectious intracranial aneurysms treated endovascularly and by microsurgical clipping: illustrative case.

BACKGROUNDInfected intracranial aneurysms are relatively rare but tend to occur in multiple locations. Establishing an optimal treatment strategy for multiple ruptured aneurysms is often challenging, especially when simultaneous ruptures occur in different locations. We report a case of simultaneous intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages caused by the rupture of multiple infected intracranial aneurysms.OBSERVATIONSA 23-year-old male with a 2-week history of chronic fever presented with sudden onset of severe headache and visual disturbance. Computed tomography showed intracerebral hemorrhage in the right occipital lobe and subarachnoid hemorrhage in the area of the left Sylvian fissure. Further investigation documented Staphylococcus bacteremia, verrucae on the mitral valve, and aneurysms arising from the right posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). A larger aneurysm arising from the PCA was successfully occluded endovascularly, but subsequent endovascular occlusion of the MCA aneurysm was unsuccessful because some important branches were observed extending from the aneurysm. The left MCA aneurysm was then obliterated by angioplastic clipping via left pterional craniotomy. The patient showed a favorable neurological recovery after treatment.LESSONSIn such complex cases of infectious aneurysms, the method and timing of treatment need to be carefully determined based on the medical condition.

Should We Prolong the Observation Period for Neurological Recovery After Cardiac Arrest?

OBJECTIVES:To evaluate whether the recommended observation period of 7 days for cardiac arrest survivors is sufficient for conscious recovery and to identify the variables associated with eventual neurologic recovery among patients with delayed awakening.DESIGN:A retrospective cohort study.SETTING:A single tertiary medical center.PATIENTS:Five-hundred twenty-nine nontraumatic adult cardiac arrest survivors with prearrest favorable neurologic function (Cerebral Performance Category 1–2) who survived to hospital discharge during 2011–2019.INTERVENTIONS:The enrolled patients were classified into favorable (Cerebral Performance Category 1–2) and poor (Cerebral Performance Category 3–4) neurologic recovery according to their neurologic function at hospital discharge. Among patients with favorable neurologic recovery, those who recovered within 7 days were assigned to the early recovery group or after 7 days as the late recovery group.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:There were 395 patients exhibiting favorable neurologic recovery (n = 357 in the early group, n = 38 in late group) and 134 patients exhibiting poor neurologic recovery (poor recovery group). Among patients who remained unconscious on day 7, delayed awakening was associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.905; 95% CI, 1.153–13.221), prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (OR, 7.628; 95% CI, 2.084–27.922), therapeutic hypothermia (OR, 4.320; 95% CI, 1.624–11.488), and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR, 4.508; 95% CI, 1.414–14.371). Being transferred from another hospital, however, was less likely to be associated with delayed awakening (OR, 0.061; 95% CI, 0.009–0.431). The median duration for patients to regain clear consciousness in the late recovery group was 12.12 days. No patient who recovered consciousness had an unfavorable electroencephalography pattern, however, in patients with poor recovery, the 7-day electroencephalography showed 45 patients with generalized suppression (33.6%), two with burst suppression (1.5%), 14 with seizure/epileptic discharge (10.5%), and one with status epilepticus (0.7%).CONCLUSIONS:Up to 9.6% of cardiac arrest patients with favorable outcomes recover consciousness after the recommended 7 days of observation, indicating the observation time of 7 days seems justified but longer duration may be needed. The results of the culturally and clinically isolated population may limit the application to other population.

Outcomes With Early Cardiac Catheterization in Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors and Utility of a Prognostic Scoring System.

ObjectivesA retrospective study in patients presenting out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to assess the impact of early cardiac catheterization on survival and cerebral performance category (CPC) on discharge.BackgroundThe role of early coronary angiography in OHCA patients remains controversial. The cardiac arrest hospital prognosis (CAHP) scoring system has not been validated in the US population.MethodsInclusion criteria were OHCA patients with a sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), presumed cardiac cause of arrest, and elements to calculate CAHP score. We compared in-hospital mortality rates and final inpatient CPC in patients who underwent early cardiac catheterization to those with delayed or no cardiac catheterization. We assessed the performance of the CAHP score in the entire OHCA population using receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis.ResultsA hundred and fifty-eight patients were included, of which 39 underwent early cardiac catheterization. The mortality rate of the early catheterization group was lower than the delayed or no catheterization group (41% vs 61.3%, p=0.02); the Early cardiac catheterization group had more favorable final hospital CPC scores overall (53.8% vs 24.3%, p<0.001). However, when risk-adjusted, there was no benefit in early catheterization for mortality or CPC level in any of the CAHP score subgroups. CAHP scores showed good discrimination with c-statistics of 0.85 for mortality and 0.90 for the CPC category.ConclusionEarly use of cardiac catheterization in OHCA patients with sustained ROSC was not associated with lower mortality rates or higher rates of favorable neurologic recovery when adjusted for baseline risk factors in each of the different CAHP score-based sub-groups. This was despite a higher proportion of patients with STEMI in the early catheterization group. We demonstrated a good fit between observed outcomes and outcomes predicted by the CAHP scoring system.