Predictors Of Neurological Deficits Research Articles

Neurologic Deficit After Aortic Arch Replacement: The Influence of the Aortic Atherosclerosis

Postoperative neurologic deficits are associated with severe morbidity in aortic arch replacement. A group of 198 consecutive patients undergoing isolated total aortic arch replacement with the use of antegrade cerebral perfusion were analyzed for the risk factors for predicting neurologic deficit. With the use of computed tomography, atherothrombotic lesions (defined as extensive intimal thickening exceeding 4 mm) were identified in the proximal aorta (the ascending aorta or aortic arch) in 26.2% of cases and in the distal aorta in 34.9% of cases. Permanent neurologic deficits occurred in 11.1% (including non-disabling stroke confirmed by imaging) and transient neurologic deficits in 8.1% of patients. A univariate analysis identified proximal atherothrombotic aorta (p= 0.0057), distal atherothrombotic aorta (p= 0.032), and retrograde systemic perfusion from the femoral artery in the presence of distal atherothrombotic aorta (p= 0.0022) as risk factors for neurologic deficits. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified atherothrombotic proximal aorta (odds ratio 2.4, p= 0.033) as the independent risk factor. The presence of carotid stenosis did not affect the rate of neurologic deficit. Intracranial hemorrhagic lesions were found in 23% of permanent neurologic deficit cases. Atherothrombotic lesions found by objectively graded computed tomography were predictors of neurologic deficit. Retrograde perfusion in the presence of a distal atherothrombotic lesion should be avoided whenever possible. Strategies based on the full assessment of the whole aortic morphologic characteristics appear to be mandatory. Anticoagulation therapy should be performed carefully to avoid intracranial hemorrhagic changes.

Predictors of neurological deficit after endovascular treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations and functional repercussions in prospective follow-up.

Endovascular therapy is a well-established approach to the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The objective of this study was to determine the predictive factors of neurological deficit following endovascular procedures. Seventy-one patients with cerebral AVMs who underwent 147 embolization sessions from 2006 to 2011 were followed up prospectively (average 31.1 ± 17.5 months). Functional neurological condition was documented by means of the modified Rankin scale. Factors found to be predictors of neurological deficit were the partial obstruction of drainage veins (OR = 197.6; IC = 2.76 -1416.0; P = 0.015), a positive result in the Propofol test (OR = 50.2; IC = 6.18 - 566.5; P = 0.000), AVM diameter under 3 cm (OR = 21.3; IC: 1.71 - 265.6; P = 0.018), the presence of intranidal aneurysms (OR = 11.2; IC = 1.09 - 114.2; P = 0.042), the absence of post-procedure hypotension (OR = 10.2; IC = 1.35 - 77.7; P = 0.003), deep venous drainage (OR = 7.14; IC = 1.15 - 44.4; P = 0.035), and devascularization in excess of 40% per session (OR = 3.3; IC = 1.11 - 16.8; P = 0.056). Fifty-six patients (78.9%) did not experience changes in their neurological condition after the treatment and 13 patients (18.3%) showed a new neurological deficit related to the treatment; 95.8 % of the patients did not show significant long-term incapacity. Partial obstruction of drainage veins, small AVMs, intranidal aneurysms, faulty hemodynamic control and extensive devascularization were found to be predictors of neurological deficit. A significant number of patients with neurological deficit improved in the long term.

Predictors of Neurological Deficit After Endovascular Treatment of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations and Functional Repercussion in Prospective Follow-Up (P5.010)

Predictors of Neurological Deficit After Endovascular Treatment of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations and Functional Repercussion in Prospective Follow-Up (P5.010)

Adjuvant Embolization With N -Butyl Cyanoacrylate in the Treatment of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency, severity, and predictors of neurological deficits after adjuvant embolization for cerebral arteriovenous malformations. From 1997 to 2006, 202 of 275 patients with arteriovenous malformation received embolization before microsurgery (n=176) or radiosurgery (n=26). Patients were examined before and after endovascular embolization and at clinical follow-up (mean, 43.4+/-34.6 months). Outcome was classified according to the modified Rankin Scale. New neurological deficits after embolization were defined as minimal (no change in overall modified Rankin Scale), moderate (modified Rankin Scale < or =2), or significant (modified Rankin Scale >2). Two hundred two patients were treated in 377 embolization procedures. There were a total of 29 new clinical deficits after embolization (8% of procedures; 14% of patients), of which 19 were moderate or significant. Postembolization deficits resolved in a significant number of patients over time (P<0.0001). Five patients had persistent neurological deficits due to embolization (1.3% of procedures; 2.5% of patients). In multivariate analysis, the following variables significantly predicted new neurological deficit after embolization: complex arteriovenous malformation with treatment plan specifying more than one embolization procedure (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4 to 8.6), diameter <3 cm (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2 to 9.1), diameter >6 cm (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.0 to 57.0), deep venous drainage (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.9), or eloquent location (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.7). These variables were weighted and used to compute an arteriovenous malformation Embolization Prognostic Risk Score for each patient. A score of 0 predicted no new deficits, a score of 1 predicted a new deficit rate of 6%, a score of 2 predicted a new deficit rate of 15%, a score of 3 predicted a new deficit rate of 21%, and a score of 4 predicted a new deficit rate of 50% (P<0.0001). Small and large size, eloquent location, deep venous drainage, and complex vascular anatomy requiring multiple embolization procedures are risk factors for the development of immediate postembolization neurological deficits. Nevertheless, a significant number of patients with treatment-related neurological deficits improve over time. The low incidence of permanent neurological deficits underscores the usefulness of this technique in carefully selected patients.

Monitoring of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials During Temporary Arterial Occlusion in Cerebral Aneurysm Surgery

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) have been used during cerebral aneurysm surgery to monitor the integrity of neural pathways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SSEP monitoring as a predictor of neurological outcome during temporary arterial occlusion. In a series of 157 patients monitored, 97 patients had temporary occlusion of the feeding artery. Twenty-three patients developed a SSEP change during temporary occlusion, 15 reversible (recovery of the change after the release of occlusion), and 8 persistent (no recovery) changes. A persistent change predicted a postoperative neurological deficit in each case, whereas, of the 15 patients with reversible changes, only 5 had postoperative deficits. Seventy-four patients had no change on SSEP monitoring but 10 patients did have new neurological deficits postoperatively. The false positive rate was 43% and the false negative rate was 14%. SSEP was a better predictor of neurological deficits in patients with aneurysms of the carotid circulation than of the vertebral-basilar arteries. Despite these limitations, we find SSEP monitoring useful during temporary occlusion in cerebral aneurysm surgery.

MONITORING OF SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED POTENTIALS DURING TEMPORARY ARTERIAL OCCLUSION IN CEREBRAL ANEURYSM SURGERY

Summary Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) have been used during cerebral aneurysm surgery to monitor the integrity of neural pathways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SSEP monitoring as a predictor of neurological outcome during temporary arterial occlusion. In a series of 157 patients monitored, 97 patients had temporary occlusion of the feeding artery. Twenty-three patients developed a SSEP change during temporary occlusion, 15 reversible (recovery of the change after the release of occlusion), and 8 persistent (no recovery) changes. A persistent change predicted a postoperative neurological deficit in each case, whereas, of the 15 patients with reversible changes, only 5 had postoperative deficits. Seventyfour patients had no change on SSEP monitoring but 10 patients did have new neurological deficits postoperatively. The false positive rate was 43% and the false negative rate was 14%. SSEP was a better predictor of neurological deficits in patients with aneurysms of the carotid circulation than of the vertebral-basilar arteries. Despite these limitations, we find SSEP monitoring useful during temporary occlusion in cerebral aneurysm surgery.