Positive Neurological Outcome Research Articles

Differences in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes Among 5 Racial/Ethnic Groups

Objective Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major health problem and one of the leading causes of death in adults older than 40. Multiple prior studies have demonstrated survival disparities based on race/ethnicity, but most of these focus on a single racial/ethnic group. This study evaluated OHCA variables and outcomes among on 5 racial/ethnic groups. Methods This is a retrospective review of data for adult patients in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) from 3 racially diverse urban counties in the San Francisco Bay Area from May 2009 to October 2021. Stratifying by 5 racial/ethnic groups, we evaluated patient survival outcomes based on patient demographics, emergency medical services response location, cardiac arrest characteristics, and hospital interventions. Adjusted risk ratios were calculated for survival to hospital discharge, controlling for sex, age, response locations, median income of response location, arrest witness, shockable rhythm, and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation as well as clustering by census tract. Results There were 10,757 patient entries analyzed: 42% White, 24% Black, 18% Asian, 9.3% Hispanic, 6.0% Pacific Islander, 0.7% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 0.1% multiple races selected; however, only the first 5 racial/ethnic groups had sufficient numbers for comparison. The adjusted risk ratio for survival to hospital discharge was lower among the 4 racial/ethnic groups compared with the White reference group: Black (0.79, p = 0.003), Asian (0.78 p = 0.004), Hispanic (0.79, p = 0.018), and Pacific Islander (0.78, p = 0.041) groups. The risk difference for positive neurologic outcome was also lower among all 4 racial/ethnic groups compared with the White reference group. Conclusions The Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander groups were less likely to survive to hospital discharge from OHCA when compared with the White reference group. No variables were associated with decreased survival across any of these 4 groups.

Effect of High Dose Methylprednisolone in Near Hanging Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Level Private Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: In the context of Bangladesh, hanging stands out as a notable method of suicide. This study focuses on patients who presented with near hanging, assessing their clinical profile, response to early management protocol and their outcome. Method: Spanning from January 1 to December 31, 2023, this retrospective study delves into the records of 10 Bangladeshi patients who engaged in near hanging. Demographic, clinical, and treatment particulars were collected along with initiation of early management protocol with an emphasis on the administration of high-dose methylprednisolone. The study evaluates the outcomes, including length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the need for intubation & mechanical ventilation, and in hospital mortality. Results: Within the specified sample size of 10 patients, comprising 30% men with a median age of 18 (range: 14–40), admission data revealed that 20% of patients had a Glasgow Coma Scale of ≤8, 10% exhibited hypotension, and no patient experienced hanging-induced cardiac arrest. All patients received high-dose methylprednisolone to reduce inflammation and oedema in injured spinal cord. Notably, a positive neurological outcome was observed in 90% of patients, with no reported mortality. The median length of stay in the ICU was 3 days, and only 10% of patients required intubation. Conclusion: The administration of high-dose methylprednisolone resulted in favourable outcomes. The study showed a zero-mortality rate, a median ICU stay of 3 days, and a 10% requirement for intubation. These findings emphasize the potential efficacy of high-dose methylprednisolone in managing near hanging cases in the Bangladeshi population, offering insights for future interventions and research. Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2024; 12 (1): 35-40

How NIRS can predict the outcome of patient in low systemic pressure: a case series

Mitral valve replacement (MVR) is a surgical procedure to treat mitral regurgitation (MR). As there is an increase in the afterload in the postoperative period, patients tend to have low cardiac output syndrome. This condition may limit oxygen delivery to body tissues. Improved venous saturation has been linked to positive neurological outcomes. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is the new technique to monitor regional oxygenation in real time. This study reports on four patients who underwent MVR due to a combination of severe mitral stenosis (MS) and mild MR. All patients had complaints of dyspnea on exertion to unbearable chest pain. Physical and work-up examination led to a diagnosis of decompensated heart failure, concomitant valve disorder, fluid overload, and cardiomegaly. Preoperative catheterization to stratify the risks of the procedure was done on all four patients. The surgery planned was cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with standard monitoring and additional NIRS measurement. The measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and NIRS were tightly monitored and maintained in each patient, with the use of vasoactive agents. All four patients suffered unstable hemodynamics and were admitted to intensive care unit with the support of mechanical ventilation and other supportive therapies. Cerebral perfusion can reach the baseline normal value even though in low cardiac output syndrome, and NIRS can predict the outcome of the patients better than the conservative monitoring.
 Key words: CPB; Low Systemic Pressure; Cerebral perfusion; Mitral Valve Replacement; NIRS.
 Citation: Purwoko, Permana SA, Dewi FH, Prihandana PA. How NIRS can predict the outcome of patient in low systemic pressure: a case series. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2023;27(6):757−762; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v27i6.2350
 Received: May 29, 2023; Reviewed: September 20, 2023; Accepted: October 30, 2023

Abstract 213: Successful Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke With Pre‐interventional Thrombolysis‐Induced Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Case Report

Introduction Intravenous thrombolytics (IVT) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) have become the standards of care for treating patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic strokes (AIS) [1‐4}. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a main complication of IVT, with prevalence reported around 3.2% in a large multicentered meta‐analysis [2,6]. However, limited data remains about the safety and efficacy for patients to undergo MT with IVT associated pre‐interventional ICH as no randomized control trials or standard of care guidelines are available [2,4,5,7]. Methods NA Results 56‐yo male with history of alcohol abuse presented via EMS as a stroke alert with acute onset right hemiplegia, global aphasia, right facial droop, and leftward gaze preference two hours prior to arrival. RACE 10+ with NIHSS 24. No known history antiplatelet or anticoagulation use. Computerized Tomography (CT) Brain scan showed left middle cerebral artery (MCA) hyperdense sign with left insular cortical ribboning. CT angiography (CTA) showed near occlusive stenosis of the left carotid bulb with an acute thrombus within Supraclinoid Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) extending into the Left MCA and origin of Left Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA). Patient was emergently administered IV‐tissue Plasminogen Activator (IV‐tPA) and taken for endovascular thrombectomy. During initial angiogram, after crossing the stenotic cervical bulb, the left Supraclinoid ICA and MCA occlusions were visualized. There was longitudinal partially occlusive thrombus extending from the M1 into the M2 divisions. No opacification of the inferior M2 branch was visualized, with perfusion deficit over the temporal, parietal and frontal regions. Additionally, extravasation of contrast was seen within the left basal ganglia region, concerning for hemorrhagic transformation from IV‐tPA. Reversal of IV‐tPA was initiated, and patient was given cryoprecipitate, platelets, and tranexamic acid. Decision to undergo MT was made secondary to severity of debilitating neurologic symptoms, age, and large perfusion deficit observed. He underwent single pass complete recanalization, TICI 2C using Stent retriever and aspiration. Left ICA stenting was not completed secondary to hemorrhagic transformation. Repeat CT Brain confirmed moderate left frontal lobe hemorrhage with vasogenic edema and 3mm left‐to‐right midline shift. No neurosurgical intervention required. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Brain showed left cerebral hematoma with mass effect, acute infarct within left caudate nucleus, and minimal posterior cortical restricted diffusion without hemorrhagic conversion. Patient was monitored for 1 week with serial brain imaging. Patient was discharged on Aspirin 81 mg daily to inpatient rehabilitation with NIHSS 21, mRS 4 (0 prestroke). Today, in rehab he ambulates with walker with moderate expressive aphasia and right upper extremity weakness. Plan to follow‐up 2‐month post‐hospitalization for left ICA stenting. Conclusion While pre‐interventional IVT‐associated ICH in AIS with LVO are rare, few cases have been shown to have positive neurological outcomes [2,5,7]. We demonstrate a unique case of early identification of reperfusion hemorrhage on fluoroscopy with prompt reversal initiated. The decision to continue with MT based on downstream occlusion of basal ganglia hemorrhage not at further risk of expansion from reperfusion. The patient did well on follow‐up imaging despite the hemorrhage. Further randomized control clinical trials are required to establish best care guidelines, safety, and efficacy.

Use, access, and initial outcomes of off-label ivosidenib in patients with IDH1 mutant glioma.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is commonly mutated (mIDH) in gliomas, and this mutant enzyme produces the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). 2HG promotes gliomagenesis and is implicated in epileptogenesis. Ivosidenib (IVO), a small molecule oral mIDH1 inhibitor, is FDA-approved for mIDH1 newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Moreover, IVO has efficacy in clinical trials for recurrent mIDH1 gliomas. Given the lack of targeted treatments for gliomas, we initiated off-label IVO for mIDH glioma patients in October 2020. Retrospectively, we sought to assess early outcomes in our patients and describe their experience on IVO from October 2020 through February 2022. Our objective was to report on the following variables of off-label use of IVO: radiographic response, seizure control, tolerability, and access to the medication. All patients initially received single-agent IVO dosed at 500 mg orally once daily. The cohort age range was 21-74 years. Tumor types included astrocytoma (n = 14) and oligodendroglioma (n = 16), with most being grade 2 (n = 21). The best radiographic response in nonenhancing disease (n = 22) was 12 stable diseases, 5 minor responses, 3 partial responses, and 2 progressive diseases. Seizure frequency was stable to improved for most patients (70%, n = 21). IVO was well-tolerated, with the most common toxicities being diarrhea, elevated creatine kinase, and QTc interval prolongation. Most patients (66.7%, n = 20) received drugs via the patient assistance program, with insurance initially covering a third of patients and with ongoing use, later covering 60%. Targeted therapies like IVO are options for mIDH glioma patients and can provide positive oncologic and neurological outcomes.

Electroencephalogram features in children with congenital hyperinsulinism treated according to the international protocol in Russian Federation

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare life-threatening disease characterised by persistent hypoglycaemia as a result of inappropriate insulin secretion, which can lead to irreversible neurological defects in infants. To evaluate neurophysiological characteristics of central nervous system in children with congenital hyperinsulinism treated according to the international protocol in Russian Federation. Our retrospective, prospective cohort study included 73 patients who received treatment for CHI according to the current international protocol at different departments of the Almazov National Medical Research Centre from 2017 to 2022. All patients underwent a comprehensive examination, including electroencephalography (EEG). Among 73 patients with CHI, 35% (23) had focal form of the disease, 65% had non-focal form (49% (39) - diffuse form, 16% (11) - atypical form). All patients with focal form of CHI had a recovery as an outcome.Analysing the EEG data we found that paroxysmal activity was recorded in 23 patients (32%), 50 patients did not have paroxysmal activity (68%). Diffuse changes were observed in 47 patients (64%), whereas 26 patients (36%) were absent of it. By constructing Kaplan-Meier curves we found that the alpha rhythm is formed significantly (p=0.026) earlier in patients with a focal form of CHI. CHI patients treated according to the international guidelines in Russian Federation show rather positive neurological outcome. We established that alpha rhythm earliest formation is associated with focal form of CHI.

O073 Triple neuroprotection during emergency carotid endarterectomy for acute stroke after failed TPA or beyond the 24-hour window of opportunity

Abstract Introduction Clinical dilemma during tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) failure in ischemic stroke management is a daunting challenge. We propose an innovative approach called triple neuro-protection (TNP), which encompasses three technical domains - targeted hypothermia, systemic induced hypertension, and barbiturates infusion. Methods From 2002–2019, we performed 832 carotid interventions amongst more than 12,000 patients referred to our tertiary vascular services with carotid artery disease. Amongst them, 25 patients presented between March 2015 and 2019 with acute dense stroke with either failed tPA or passed the recommended timing for acute stroke intervention. Fifteen (60%) had hemineglect with acute infarct on MRI brain and a Rankin score of 4 or 5, and 96% had 80–99% stenosis on the symptomatic side (mean ABCD3-I score 11.35). All patients underwent emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with therapeutically induced hypothermia (32–34°C), targeted hypertension (systolic blood pressure 180–200 mm of Hg), and brain suppression with a barbiturate. Results There were no perioperative complications and mortality. There were no myocardial infarction cases, death, cranial nerve injury, wound hematoma, or procedural bleeding. Mean hospital stay was 8.4±5.5 days. All patients had resolution of neurological symptoms, except three (failed thrombolysis previously). Eighty percent had a postoperative Rankin score of 0 on discharge, and 88% of patients were discharged home with three requiring rehabilitation. Conclusion We observed positive neurological outcomes without serious adverse events with TNP during emergency CEA in acute brain injury patients. Based on our experience, we recommend a large scale study on TNP. Take-home message Triple neuroprotection showed positive neurological outcomes without serious adverse events during emergency carotid endarterectomy in acute brain injury patients.

Heat loss augmented by extracorporeal circulation is associated with overcooling in cardiac arrest survivors who underwent targeted temperature management

We investigated the association of extracorporeal circuit-based devices with temperature management and neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors who underwent targeted temperature management. Patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and/or continuous renal replacement therapy were classified as the extracorporeal group. We calculated the cooling rate during the induction period and time-weighted core temperatures (TWCT) during the maintenance period. We defined the sum of TWCT above or below 33 °C as positive and negative TWCT, respectively, and the sum of TWCT above 33.5 °C or below 32.5 °C as undercooling or overcooling, respectively. The primary outcome was the negative TWCT. The secondary outcomes were positive TWCT, cooling rate, undercooling, overcooling, and poor neurological outcomes, defined as Cerebral Performance Category 3–5. Among 235 patients, 150 (63.8%) had poor neurological outcomes and 52 (22.1%) were assigned to the extracorporeal group. The extracorporeal group (β, 0.307; p < 0.001) had increased negative TWCT, rapid cooling rate (1.77 °C/h [1.22–4.20] vs. 1.24 °C/h [0.77–1.79]; p = 0.005), lower positive TWCT (33.4 °C∙min [24.9–46.2] vs. 54.6 °C∙min [29.9–87.0]), and higher overcooling (5.01 °C min [0.00–10.08] vs. 0.33 °C min [0.00–3.78]). However, the neurological outcome was not associated with the use of extracorporeal devices (odds ratio, 1.675; 95% confidence interval, 0.685–4.094).

Targeted Temperature Management Experience of an Academic Emergency Department: A 5-Year Retrospective Study.

Targeted temperature management (TTM) for postcardiac arrest syndrome patients is a cornerstone therapy to reduce mortality and neurological morbidity. The care of critical patients is provided in the emergency department (ED) when intensive care units (ICUs) are unavailable. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and mortality outcomes of postcardiac arrest patients who underwent TTM in an academic ED. Postcardiac arrest patients who underwent TTM between January 1, 2014, to November 1, 2018, at a tertiary care academic ED in Turkey were examined retrospectively. The mean age of 24 patients in whom TTM was initiated in the ED was 60.7 ± 19.2 years. Five (20.8%) of the patients who underwent TTM were discharged. Four (80%) of the discharged patients were in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). All patients with a total cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration of >25 minutes died. Mortality was significantly higher in patients without light reflexes (p = 0.006). Two patients who underwent TTM in the ED became organ donors after neurological determination of death. If the ICU cannot meet the needs, early initiation of TTM in the ED may contribute to good neurological outcomes. In this study, 80% of the patients who have positive neurological outcomes are OHCA. Lack of light reflex may be an evidence of poor neurological outcomes in postcardiac arrest patients. Emergency physicians should be encouraged to apply TTM.

Neurological outcomes of antenatal corticosteroid therapy.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) could impact neurological condition, as assessed through muscular tone, of prematurely born infants. All 82 patients at risk of preterm delivery treated and delivered over 12months were divided into two equal groups regarding the use of ACST. The investigated parameters were pregnancy complications, biophysical profile, Apgar score, gestational age of delivery and all postpartum complications. Neurological development and muscular tone were evaluated at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months of life using Vojta's method, which classifies muscular tone as good, hypotonic or hypertonic. After therapy, infants from the treated and control groups differed in biophysical profile, Apgar score, length of intensive care, occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome and intraventricular haemorrhage. During the follow-up, significantly more infants from the ACST group had good muscular tone when compared with those from the control group. Regression analysis showed that ASCT can significantly impact an infant's muscular tone. Still, the week of delivery and the complications such as diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction and respiratory distress syndrome, could change the association of ACST and infants' muscular tone. ACST was associated with the positive neurological outcomes of prematurely born infants when assessed through their muscular tone.

Development of a computed tomography perfusion protocol to support large animal resuscitation research.

Adequate cerebral perfusion is crucial for a positive neurological outcome in trauma; however, it is difficult to characterize in the acute setting with noninvasive methods. Intra-arterial computed tomography perfusion may offer a solution. The aim of this study was to develop an intra-arterial computed tomography perfusion protocol for resuscitation research. The study examined intra-arterial contrast administration for computed tomography perfusion (CTP) acquisition. It consisted of three phases: intra-arterial contrast dose finding, evaluation of reproducibility, and evaluation during hypotension. Blood pressure and laser Doppler flow data were collected. In phase 1, animals underwent CTPs using several intra-arterial contrast injection protocols. In phase 2, animals underwent two CTPs 7 hours apart using the 2.5 mL/s for 3-second protocol. In phase 3, animals underwent CTPs at several pressures following a computer-controlled bleed including euvolemia and at systolic pressures of 60, 40, and 20 mm Hg. Phase 1 CTPs were evaluated for contrast-to-noise ratio. In phase 2, CTPs were compared within each animal and with laser Doppler flow using linear regression. Phase 3 CTPs were graphed against systolic pressure and fitted with a nonlinear fit. The protocol using 2.5mL/s for 3 seconds was optimal, demonstrating a contrast-to-noise ratio of 40.1 and a superior arterial input function curve compared with the 1 mL/s bolus. Cerebral blood flow demonstrated high concordance between baseline and end of study CTPs (R2 = 0.82, p < 0.001). Cerebral blood flow also compared moderately well against laser Doppler flow during 8 (R2 = 0.53, p = 0.03); however, laser Doppler flow did not perform well during hypovolemia, and the favorable concordance was not maintained (R2 = 0.45, p = 0.06). Cerebral blood flow was graphed against systolic blood pressure and fitted with a nonlinear fit (R2 = 0.95, p = 0.003). Computed tomography perfusion using intra-arterial contrast injection may offer a novel alternative to traditional CTP protocols that could prove a useful additional tool in the setting of resuscitation research.

Safety of Triple Neuroprotection with Targeted Hypothermia, Controlled Induced Hypertension, and Barbiturate Infusion during Emergency Carotid Endarterectomy for Acute Stroke after Missing the 24 Hours Window Opportunity

The aim of this study is to establish the initial safety of triple neuroprotection (TNP) in an acute stroke setting in patients presenting outside the window for systemic tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Over 12,000 patients were referred to our vascular services with carotid artery disease, of whom 832 had carotid intervention with a stroke rate of 0.72%. Of these, 25 patients presented (3%), between March 2015 and 2019, with acute dense stroke. These patients had either failed tPA or passed the recommended timing for acute stroke intervention. Fifteen (60%) had hemi-neglect with evidence of acute infarct on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and a Rankin score of 4 or 5. Ninety-six percent had an 80-99% stenosis on the symptomatic side. Mean ABCD3-I score was 11.35. All patients underwent emergency carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with therapeutically induced hypothermia (32-34°C), targeted hypertension (systolic blood pressure 180-200mm Hg), and brain suppression with barbiturate. There were no cases of myocardial infarction, death, cranial nerve injury, wound hematoma, or procedural bleeding. Mean hospital stay was 8.4 (±9.5) days. All cases had resolution of neurological symptoms, except 3 who had failed previous thrombolysis. Eighty percent had a postoperative Rankin score of 0 on discharge and 88% of patients were discharged home with 3 requiring rehabilitation. Positive neurological outcomes and no serious adverse events were observed using TNP during emergency CEA in patients with acute brain injury. We recommend TNP for patients who are at an increased risk of stroke perioperatively, or who have already suffered from an acute stroke beyond the recommended window of 24hr. Certainly, the positive outcomes are not likely reproducible outside of high-volume units and patients requiring this surgery should be transferred to experienced surgeons in appropriate tertiary referral centers.

Using stent retriever pRESET during embolization of intracranial aneurisms

The study objective is to present the results of applying stent retriever pRESET as assistance device in embolization of brain aneurysm.Materials and methods. Between January 2017 and May 2018, were threated 10 patients with brain aneurism using temporary stent-assistant method. The average aged was 41. Asymptomatic aneurysmal disease was observed in five patients, two patients were operated on in the acute period of subarachnoid hemorrhage, in two cases temporary stent assistance was used for pre-embolization of previously operated aneurysms. Temporary stent assistance was performed using a stent retriever pRESET (Phenox, Germany).Results. The technical success of the intervention was 100 %. Total embolization of aneurysms was achieved in seven patients, in three patients subtotal embolization was observed. All observations had positive neurological outcomes on discharge.Conclusion. Temporary stent assistance using a stent retriever pRESET is an additional option for endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms.Conflict of interest. The author declares no conflict of interest.Informed consent. All patients gave written informed consent to participate in the study

Positive neurologic outcome in a child after in-hospital cardiac arrest

Наведено випадок позитивного неврологічного результату після внутрішньогоспітальної зупинки серця в дитини з сепсисом і вродженою вадою розвитку головного мозку. Проаналізували фактори, які впливають на виживання та неврологічні наслідки реанімаційних заходів у дітей. Наведені відомості фахової літератури щодо розходжень результатів при позагоспітальній і внутрішньогоспітальній зупинці серця.

Abstract 162: A Novel Approach to Quality Improvement in a Hospital’s Targeted Temperatue Management Program for Post Arrest Patients

Introduction: Studies indicate that initiating therapeutic hypothermia (THT) in a timely manner after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) decreases mortality. Our hospital has had an established protocol for THT since 2014; however, we believed that there were opportunities to improve our practice, particularly around time to initiation of therapy and time to target temperature. Goal: Initiate THT as soon as feasible to reach target temperature within 6 hours after ROSC. Methods: Data was downloaded from our Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) devices for post-arrest cases from January to December 2018. The data was used to calculate various metrics including time from ROSC to therapy initiation (time to initiation) and time to target temperature (time to target). These metrics were compared to our THT protocol to identify areas for practice improvement. Concurrently, a product training verification assessment designed to determine the level of knowledge of our TTM device was conducted with our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff. Results: Case data was collected, analyzed, and reviewed quarterly with ICU staff and leadership. The product training verification assessment reveled gaps in staff knowledge, including patient management while on TTM therapy, which was addressed with clinician education. Over the four quarters of 2018, there was a decrease in both in time to initiation and time to target. By quarter four, the combined measure of time to initiation and time to target had decreased from over 6 hours in quarter one to 5 hours. Our quarter 4 patient outcomes revealed a 43% survival to discharge rate with a Cerebral Performance Category of 1 or 2 (positive neurological outcomes). Conclusions: Review of the current process, analyzing and comparing data to current protocol, and assessment of staff knowledge revealed gaps in our hospital’s THT program. Implementation of new processes and education using a collaborative approach lead to positive patient outcomes with a measurable decrease in time to initiation and time to target temperature.

Mandated 30-minute Scene Time Interval Correlates With Improved Return of Spontaneous Circulation at Emergency Department Arrival: A Before and After Study.

Conflicting ideas exist about whether or not Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel should treat a cardiac arrest on scene or transport immediately. Our aim was to examine patient outcomes before and after an urban EMS system implemented a protocol change mandating a 30-min scene time interval (STI) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This was a retrospective, single-center, observational study of OHCA patients before and after an EMS protocol change mandating resuscitation on scene. Data were retrieved from an EMS cardiac arrest database for all adults with non-traumatic OHCA between January 2015 and August 2016. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the study population, and a regression model was used to determine the associations of the protocol with the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). A total of 633 patients were included in the study population, which was primarily male (61.3%) with a mean age of 65years. After the 30-min STI was implemented, ROSC from OHCA increased to 40.1% of cases compared to 27.3% before the protocol change (p=0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.053-0.203). The STI increased from 19min 23s to 29min 40s in the pre and post periods, respectively (p<0.001). Regression indicated that the protocol change was independently associated with an improved chance of ROSC (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.23-2.64). A protocol change mandating a 30-min STI in OHCA correlated with increased STI and increased ROSC. While increased ROSC may not always equate with positive neurologic outcome, logistic regression indicated that the protocol change was independently associated with improved ROSC at emergency department arrival.

Fetal and Neonatal Circulatory Disorders in Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (The Secondary Publication).

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a major complication of monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twins, and its onset is known to be associated with placental vascular anastomoses and blood flow imbalance. In a typical case of TTTS, the recipient develops polyhydramnios, weight gain, cardiomegaly and hydrops fetalis in the uterus. In contrast, the donor develops oligohydramnios and intrauterine growth restriction. Recently, the significance of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that transfers from the donor to the recipient has attracted interest in the fetal circulation of TTTS. The donor has decreased renal blood flow due to decreased circulating blood volume. For this reason, the secretion of RAAS hormones is augmented in the fetal kidneys of the donor. In TTTS, these RAAS hormones from the donor transfer to the recipient through the anastomosed vessels. In addition to excess preload, the recipient heart is exposed to excess afterload due to systemic vasoconstriction through RAAS hormones. Commonly occurring complications in the recipient include myocardial hypertrophy, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and pulmonary valve stenosis or pulmonary atresia. Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) has been introduced recently because neither mortality nor neurological morbidity have been satisfactorily improved with conventional treatment. FLP is a curative method that may improve the prognosis of TTTS. In Japan, this procedure has been performed frequently, and positive neurological outcomes have been achieved.

Functional Brain Connectivity during Multiple Motor Imagery Tasks in Spinal Cord Injury.

Reciprocal communication of the central and peripheral nervous systems is compromised during spinal cord injury due to neurotrauma of ascending and descending pathways. Changes in brain organization after spinal cord injury have been associated with differences in prognosis. Changes in functional connectivity may also serve as injury biomarkers. Most studies on functional connectivity have focused on chronic complete injury or resting-state condition. In our study, ten right-handed patients with incomplete spinal cord injury and ten age- and gender-matched healthy controls performed multiple visual motor imagery tasks of upper extremities and walking under high-resolution electroencephalography recording. Directed transfer function was used to study connectivity at the cortical source space between sensorimotor nodes. Chronic disruption of reciprocal communication in incomplete injury could result in permanent significant decrease of connectivity in a subset of the sensorimotor network, regardless of positive or negative neurological outcome. Cingulate motor areas consistently contributed the larger outflow (right) and received the higher inflow (left) among all nodes, across all motor imagery categories, in both groups. Injured subjects had higher outflow from left cingulate than healthy subjects and higher inflow in right cingulate than healthy subjects. Alpha networks were less dense, showing less integration and more segregation than beta networks. Spinal cord injury patients showed signs of increased local processing as adaptive mechanism. This trial is registered with NCT02443558.

Long-term Clinical Outcomes of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Prospective, randomized, single-center, clinical trial. To prospectively examine the 7- and 10-year outcomes of cervical arthroplasty to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Degeneration of the cervical discs causing radiculopathy is a frequent source of surgical intervention, commonly treated with ACDF. Positive clinical outcomes are associated with arthrodesis techniques, yet there remains a long-term concern for adjacent segment change. Cervical disc arthroplasty has been designed to mitigate some of the challenges associated with arthrodesis whereas providing for a similar positive neurological outcome. As data has been collected from numerous prospective US FDA IDE trials, longer term outcomes regarding adjacent segment change may be examined. As part of an FDA IDE trial, a single center collected prospective outcomes data on 47 patients randomized in a 1:1 ratio to ACDF or arthroplasty. Success of both surgical interventions remained high at the 10-year interval. Both arthrodesis and arthroplasty demonstrated statistically significant improvements in neck disability index, visual analog scale neck and arm pain scores at all intervals including 7- and 10-year periods. Arthroplasty demonstrated an advantage in comparison to arthrodesis as measured by final 10-year NDI score (8 vs. 16, P = 0.0485). Patients requiring reoperation were higher in number in the arthrodesis cohort (32%) in comparison with arthroplasty (9%) (P = 0.055). At 7 and 10 years, cervical arthroplasty compares favorably with ACDF as defined by standard outcomes scores in a highly selected population with radiculopathy. 1.

Wireless Brain-Robot Interface: User Perception and Performance Assessment of Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Patients suffering from life-changing disability due to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) increasingly benefit from assistive robotics technology. The field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has started to develop mature assistive applications for those patients. Nonetheless, noninvasive BCIs still lack accurate control of external devices along several degrees of freedom (DoFs). Unobtrusiveness, portability, and simplicity should not be sacrificed in favor of complex performance and user acceptance should be a key aim among future technological directions. In our study 10 subjects with SCI (one complete) and 10 healthy controls were recruited. In a single session they operated two anthropomorphic 8-DoF robotic arms via wireless commercial BCI, using kinesthetic motor imagery to perform 32 different upper extremity movements. Training skill and BCI control performance were analyzed with regard to demographics, neurological condition, independence, imagery capacity, psychometric evaluation, and user perception. Healthy controls, SCI subgroup with positive neurological outcome, and SCI subgroup with cervical injuries performed better in BCI control. User perception of the robot did not differ between SCI and healthy groups. SCI subgroup with negative outcome rated Anthropomorphism higher. Multi-DoF robotics control is possible by patients through commercial wireless BCI. Multiple sessions and tailored BCI algorithms are needed to improve performance.