Neurological Outcome Rate Research Articles

The role of hospital performance on race and ethnicity outcome disparities for US non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Factors contributing to worse outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) from minoritized communities are poorly understood. We sought to evaluate the impact of receiving hospital performance on OHCA outcome disparities. We performed a retrospective cohort study of non-traumatic OHCAs from the National Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival from 2013 to 2022 that survived hospital admission. We created cohorts based on census-tract race/ethnicity: >50% White, >50% Black, and >50% Hispanic/Latino. We stratified hospitals into performance quartiles based on hospital good neurologic outcome rates. We evaluated the association between race/ethnicity and care at better-performing hospitals. Using hierarchical modeling, we compared models evaluating the association between community race/ethnicity and outcomes, ignoring and adjusting for receiving hospital. We included 202,117 OHCAs. Compared to White, OHCAs from Black (OR 0.12[0.12-0.13]) and Hispanic/Latino (OR 0.21[0.20-0.21]) communities had lower odds of care at higher-performing hospitals, but care at higher-performing hospitals improved outcomes for all groups: White - OR 1.43[1.41-1.44]), Black - OR 1.54[1.50-1.59]), Hispanic/Latino - 1.51[1.46-1.56]. Ignoring receiving hospital, outcomes were worse for OHCAs from Black (aOR 0.56[0.54-0.58]) and Hispanic/Latino (aOR 0.63[0.61-0.66]) communities. Although adjusting for bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation did not change results, adjusting for hospital performance quartile improved outcome odds (Black - aOR 0.80[0.76-0.84]; Hispanic/Latino - aOR 0.82[0.78-0.86]). Adjusting for receiving hospital random effect also improved outcome odds (Black - aOR 0.84[0.81-0.87]; Hispanic Latino - aOR 0.86[0.83-0.90]). OHCAs from Black and Hispanic/Latino communities received care at high-performing hospitals less often, and adjusting for receiving hospital significantly diminished OHCA outcome disparities.

Brain tissue oxygen pressure combined with intracranial pressure monitoring may improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Although the optimization of brain oxygenation is thought to improve the prognosis, the effect of brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO2) for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) remains controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether adding PbtO2 to intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring improves clinical outcomes for patients with STBI. PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible trials from their respective inception through April 10th, 2024. We included clinical trials contrasting the combined monitoring of PbtO2 and ICP versus isolated ICP monitoring among patients with STBI. The primary outcome was favorable neurological outcome at 6 months, and secondary outcomes including the in-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital. A total of 16 studies (four randomized studies and 12 cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with isolated ICP monitoring, the combined monitoring was associated with a higher favorable neurological outcome rate at 6 months (RR 1.33, 95% CI [1.17-1.51], P<0.0001, I2 = 0%), reduced long-term mortality (RR 0.72, 95% CI [0.59-0.87], P=0.0008, I2 = 2%). No significant difference was identified in the in-hospital mortality (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.01, P=0.06, I2 = 32%), length of stay in ICU (MD 2.10, 95% CI [-0.37-4.56], P=0.10, I2 = 78%) and hospital (MD 1.07, 95% CI [-2.54-4.67], P=0.56, I2 = 49%) between two groups. However, the pooled results of randomized studies did not show beneficial effect of combined monitoring in favorable neurological outcome and long-term mortality. Currently, there is limited evidence to prove that the combined PbtO2 and ICP monitoring may contribute to improved neurological outcome and long-term mortality for patients with STBI. However, the benefit of combined monitoring should be further validated in more randomized studies.

Optimal Targeted Temperature Management for Patients with Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome.

Background: To prevent hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS), international guidelines have emphasized performing targeted temperature management (TTM). However, the most optimal targeted core temperature and cooling duration reached no consensus to date. This study aimed to clarify the optimal targeted core temperature and cooling duration, selected according to the time interval from collapse to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients with PCAS due to cardiac etiology. Methods: Between 2014 and 2020, the targeted core temperature was 34 °C or 35 °C, and the cooling duration was 24 h. If the time interval from collapse to ROSC was within 20 min, we performed the 35 °C targeted core temperature (Group A), and, if not, we performed the 34 °C targeted core temperature (Group B). Between 2009 and 2013, the targeted core temperature was 34 °C, and the cooling duration was 24 or 48 h. If the interval was within 20 min, we performed the 24 h cooling duration (Group C), and, if not, we performed the 48 h cooling duration (Group D). Results: The favorable neurological outcome rates at 30 days following cardiac arrest were 45.7% and 45.5% in Groups A + B and C + D, respectively (p = 0.977). In patients with ROSC within 20 min, the favorable neurological outcome rates at 30 days following cardiac arrest were 75.6% and 86.4% in Groups A and C, respectively (p = 0.315). In patients with ROSC ≥ 21 min, the favorable neurological outcome rates at 30 days following cardiac arrest were 29.3% and 18.2% in Groups B and D, respectively (p = 0.233). Conclusions: Selecting the optimal target core temperature and the cooling duration for TTM, according to the time interval from collapse to ROSC, may be helpful in patients with PCAS due to cardiac etiology.

Impact of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation on neurological prognosis and survival in adult patients after cardiac arrest: An individual pooled patient data meta-analysis

BackgroundWe aimed to estimate the effect of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) on neurological outcome and mortality, when compared to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR), using an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA). MethodsA systematic literature search was performed up to the 20th of October 2022 in the PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases. For observational studies with unmatched populations, a propensity score including age, location of arrest and initial rhythm was used to match ECPR and CCPR patients in a 1:1 ratio. The primary and secondary outcomes were unfavorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category of 3–5) and mortality, respectively, which were both collected at different time-points. ResultsData from 17 studies, including 2064 matched cardiac arrest (CA) patients (1031 ECPR and 1033 CCPR cases) were included. In comparison to CCPR, ECPR was associated with a decreased odds of unfavorable neurological outcome (847, 82.2% vs. 897, 86.8% − OR 0.68 [95%CI 0.53–0.87]; p = 0.002) and death (803, 77.9% vs. 860, 83.3% − OR 0.68 [95%CI 0.54–0.86]; p = 0.001). These results were consistent across most of the prespecified subgroups. Moreover, the odds of both unfavorable neurological outcome and mortality were significantly influenced by initial rhythm, cause of arrest and combinations of lactate levels on admission and duration of resuscitation. ConclusionsThis IPDMA showed that ECPR was associated with significantly lower rates of unfavorable neurological outcome and mortality in refractory CA. The overall effect could be influenced by CA characteristics and the severity of the initial injury.

Outcome of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) with Cage and Bone Graft in The Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis

Introduction: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a reliable treatment option for patients with Lumbar canal stenosis &amp; spondylolisthesis; providing spinal stabilization in a balanced alignment with the disc space height restored and with the neural elements being decompressed mechanically. The titanium cages provided immediate stability to spinal levels, restoration of the disc space and neuro-foraminal area, and an increased surface area leading to successful fusion. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at DMCH, Dhaka within the defined period. All the data were compiled and sorted properly and the quantitative data was analyzed statistically by using Statistical Package for Social Science. The results were expressed as percentage and mean ± SD and p&lt;0.05 was considered as the level of significant. Result: Mean age of the study population was 51.32±8.29 with a female: male ratio 1.6 :1 where maximum patient was housewife (57.14%). 60.72% patients had only single level involvement while 39.28% patients had multi-level involvement. Mean VAS score reduced significantly at final follow-up (6.55±0.66 to 2.29±0.46 for back pain and 6.59±0.65 to 1.21±0.42 for leg pain. Mean ODI score decreased significantly from 56.71±3.09 to 15.82±3.46 at final follow-up. Radiologically Grade-I fusion achieved in 89.28% cases. Overall functional outcome was excellent (89.29%) &amp; good (7.14%) according to Modified Macnab criteria. Conclusion: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with cage and bone graft in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis provides excellent neurological and functional outcome and fusion rate at final follow-up. Medicine Today 2024, Vol.36 (2): 72-75

Prospective, multicenter, Turkish out-of-hospital cardiac arrest study: TROHCA.

There is no sufficient data to provide a clear picture of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) across Türkiye. This study is the first to present the prognostic outcomes of OHCA cases and the factors associated with these outcomes. The study was conducted in a prospective, observational, multicenter design under the leadership of the Emergency Medicine Association of Turkey Resuscitation Study Group. OHCA cases aged 18 years and over who were admitted to 28 centers from Türkiye were included in the study. Survived event, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital discharge, and neurological outcome at discharge were investigated as primary outcomes. One thousand and three patients were included in the final analysis. 61.1% of the patients were male, and the average age was 67.0 ± 15.2. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on 86.5% of the patients in the prehospital period by emergency medical service, and bystander CPR was performed on only 2.9% by nonhealth-care providers. As a result, the survived event rate was found to be 6.9%. The survival rate upon hospital discharge was 4.4%, with 2.7% of patients achieving a good neurological outcome upon discharge. In addition, the overall ROSC and sustained ROSC rates were 45.2% and 33.4%, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, male gender, initial shockable rhythm, a shorter prehospital duration of CPR, and the lack of CPR requirement in the emergency department were determined to be independent predictors for the survival to hospital discharge. Compared to global data, survival to hospital discharge and good neurological outcome rates appear to be lower in our study. We conclude that this result is related to low bystander CPR rates. Although not the focus of this study, inadequate postresuscitative care and intensive care support should also be discussed in this regard. It is obvious that this issue should be carefully addressed through political moves in the health and social fields.

Ransomware Cyberattack Associated With Cardiac Arrest Incidence and Outcomes at Untargeted, Adjacent Hospitals.

Healthcare ransomware cyberattacks have been associated with major regional hospital disruptions, but data reporting patient-oriented outcomes in critical conditions such as cardiac arrest (CA) are limited. This study examined the CA incidence and outcomes of untargeted hospitals adjacent to a ransomware-infected healthcare delivery organization (HDO). This cohort study compared the CA incidence and outcomes of two untargeted academic hospitals adjacent to an HDO under a ransomware cyberattack during the pre-attack (April 3-30, 2021), attack (May 1-28, 2021), and post-attack (May 29, 2021-June 25, 2021) phases. None. Emergency department and hospital mean daily census, number of CAs, mean daily CA incidence per 1,000 admissions, return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge, and survival with favorable neurologic outcome were measured. The study evaluated 78 total CAs: 44 out-of-hospital CAs (OHCAs) and 34 in-hospital CAs. The number of total CAs increased from the pre-attack to attack phase (21 vs. 38; p = 0.03), followed by a decrease in the post-attack phase (38 vs. 19; p = 0.01). The number of total CAs exceeded the cyberattack month forecast (May 2021: 41 observed vs. 27 forecasted cases; 95% CI, 17.0-37.4). OHCA cases also exceeded the forecast (May 2021: 24 observed vs. 12 forecasted cases; 95% CI, 6.0-18.8). Survival with favorable neurologic outcome rates for all CAs decreased, driven by increases in OHCA mortality: survival with favorable neurologic rates for OHCAs decreased from the pre-attack phase to attack phase (40.0% vs. 4.5%; p = 0.02) followed by an increase in the post-attack phase (4.5% vs. 41.2%; p = 0.01). Untargeted hospitals adjacent to ransomware-infected HDOs may see worse outcomes for patients suffering from OHCA. These findings highlight the critical need for cybersecurity disaster planning and resiliency.

Optimal PHASES Scoring for Risk Stratification of Surgically Treated Unruptured Aneurysms

The PHASES (Population, Hypertension, Age, Size, Earlier subarachnoid hemorrhage, Site) score was developed to facilitate risk stratification for management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). This study aimed to identify the optimal PHASES score cutoff for predicting neurologic outcomes in patients with surgically treated aneurysms. All patients who underwent microneurosurgical treatment for UIA at a large quaternary center from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria included a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of ≤2 at admission. The primary outcome was 1-year mRS score, with a "poor" neurologic outcome defined as an mRS score >2. In total, 375 patients were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) PHASES score for the entire study population was 4.47 (2.67). Of 375 patients, 116 (31%) had a PHASES score ≥6, which was found to maximize prediction of poor neurologic outcome. Patients with PHASES scores ≥6 had significantly higher rates of poor neurologic outcome than patients with PHASES scores <6 at discharge (58 [50%] vs. 90 [35%], P= 0.005) and follow-up (20 [17%] vs. 18 [6.9%], P= 0.002). After adjusting for age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, nonsaccular aneurysm, andaneurysm size, PHASES score ≥6 remained a significant predictor of poor neurologic outcome at follow-up (odds ratio, 2.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-5.36, P= 0.003). In this retrospective analysis, a PHASES score ≥6 was associated with significantly greater proportions of poor outcome, suggesting that awareness of this threshold in PHASES scoring could be useful in risk stratification and UIA management.

Accredited cardiac arrest centers facilitate eCPR and improve neurological outcome

BackgroundOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a frequent medical emergency with low survival rates even after a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Growing evidence supports formation of dedicated teams in scenarios like cardiogenic shock to improve prognosis. Thus, the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) recommended introduction of Cardiac Arrest Centers (CAC) in their 2015 guidelines. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of newly introduced CACs in Germany regarding survival rate and neurological outcome. MethodsA multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was performed at three university hospitals and outcomes after OHCA were compared before and after CAC accreditation. Primary outcomes were survival until discharge and favorable neurological status (CPC 1 or 2) at discharge. ResultsIn total 784 patients (368 before and 416 after CAC accreditation) were analyzed. Rates of immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (40 vs. 52%, p = 0.01) and implementation of extracorporeal CPR (8 vs. 13%, p < 0.05) increased after CAC accreditation. Likelihood of favorable neurological status at discharge was higher after CAC accreditation (71 vs. 87%, p < 0.01), whereas overall survival remained similar (35 vs. 35%, p > 0.99). ConclusionCAC accreditation is linked to higher rates of favorable neurological outcome and unchanged overall survival.

Effect of adjuvant thiamine and ascorbic acid administration on the neurologic outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: A before-and-after study

AimThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of early thiamine and ascorbic acid administration on the neurologic outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM). MethodsThis before-and-after cohort study used data extracted from two hospitals of the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry. The treatment group incorporated patients enrolled from December 2019 to May 2021, that received intravenous thiamine (200 mg) and ascorbic acid (3 g) at 12-hour intervals for a total of six doses. The control group incorporated those enrolled from May 2018 to November 2019. The one-month good neurologic outcome, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category score ≤ 2, between the groups was evaluated using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). ResultsAmong the 234 OHCA survivors with TTM, 102 were included in the treatment group and 132 were included in the control group. The one-month (31.4 % vs. 29.5 %, respectively; P = 0.76) good neurologic outcome rates did not differ between the treatment and control groups. After adjusting using the IPTW, vitamin supplementation was not associated with good neurologic outcome (odds ratio [OR], 1.134; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.644–1.999; P = 0.66). In subgroup analysis, vitamin administration was significantly associated with a good neurologic outcome in older (≥65 years) patients (adjusted OR, 5.53; 95 % CI, 1.21–25.23; P = 0.03). ConclusionAdjuvant thiamine and ascorbic acid administration in OHCA survivors with TTM did not improve their neurologic outcome after one month. Further clinical trials are warranted.

Association between neuromuscular blocking agent use and outcomes among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and target temperature management: A secondary analysis of the SAVE-J II study

BackgroundNeuromuscular blocking agents are used to control shivering in cardiac arrest patients treated with target temperature management. However, their effect on outcomes in patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation is unclear. MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis of the SAVE-J II study, a retrospective multicenter study of 2175 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Japan. We classified patients into those who received neuromuscular blocking agents and those who did not and compared in-hospital mortality and incidence rates of favorable neurological outcome and in-hospital pneumonia between the groups using multivariable regression models and stabilized inverse probability weighting with propensity scores. ResultsSix hundred sixty patients from the SAVE-J II registry were analyzed. Neuromuscular blocking agents were used in 451 patients (68.3%). After adjusting for potential confounders, neuromuscular blocking agents use was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (aHR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.67–1.14), favorable neurological outcome (aOR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.60–1.11), or pneumonia (aOR 1.52; 95% CI, 0.85–2.71). The results for in-hospital mortality (aHR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.64–1.25), favorable neurological outcome (aOR 0.94; 95% CI, 0.59–1.48) and pneumonia (aOR 1.59; 95% CI, 0.74–3.41) were similar after weighting was performed. ConclusionsAlthough data on the rationale for using neuromuscular blocking agents were unavailable, their use was not significantly associated with outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and targeted temperature management. Neuromuscular blocking agents should be used based on individual clinical indications.

How do children fare compared with adults? Comparing relative outcomes after thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion

ObjectiveSafety and efficacy data for endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusion in children are lacking compared with those for adults. We undertook an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of endovascular thrombectomy in children and compared their outcomes with adult data. MethodsWe searched PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE databases to identify prospective and retrospective studies describing patients <18 years treated with endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion. ResultsEight pediatric studies were included (n = 192). Most patients were male (53.1 %), experienced anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion (81.8 %), and underwent endovascular thrombectomy by stent retreiver (70.7 %). The primary outcome was change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score from presentation to 24 h after thrombectomy. Secondary outcomes included modified Rankin scale score improvement and 90-day score, recanalization rates, procedural complications, and mortality rates. After treatment, 88.5% of children had successful recanalization; the mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score reduction was 7.37 (95 % CI 5.11–9.63, p < 0.01). The mean reduction of 6.87 (95 %CI 5.00–8.73, p < 0.01) for adults in 5 clinical trials (n = 634) was similar (Qb = 0.11; p = 0.74). Children experienced higher rates of good neurological outcome (76.1 % vs. 46.0 %, p < 0.01) and revascularization (88.5 % vs. 72.3 %, p < 0.01), fewer major periprocedural complications (3.6 % vs. 30.4 %, p < 0.01), and lower mortality (1.0 % vs. 12.9 %, p < 0.01). ConclusionsEndovascular thrombectomy may be safe and effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion in children. The aggregated data demonstrated high rates of revascularization, favorable long-term neurological outcomes, and low complication rates.

Comparison of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic with those before the pandemic: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, directly and indirectly, affected the emergency medical care system and resulted in worse out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes and epidemiological features compared with those before the pandemic. This review compares the regional and temporal features of OHCA prognosis and epidemiological characteristics. Various databases were searched to compare the OHCA outcomes and epidemiological characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic with before the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, survival and favorable neurological outcome rates were significantly lower than before. Survival to hospitalization, return of spontaneous circulation, endotracheal intubation, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) decreased significantly, whereas the use of a supraglottic airway device, the incidence of cardiac arrest at home, and response time of emergency medical service (EMS) increased significantly. Bystander CPR, unwitnessed cardiac arrest, EMS transfer time, use of mechanical CPR, and in-hospital target temperature management did not differ significantly. A subgroup analysis of the studies that included only the first wave with those that included the subsequent waves revealed the overall outcomes in which the epidemiological features of OHCA exhibited similar patterns. No significant regional differences between the OHCA survival rates in Asia before and during the pandemic were observed, although other variables varied by region. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the epidemiologic characteristics, survival rates, and neurological prognosis of OHCA patients. Review registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022339435).

Association between the number of prehospital defibrillation attempts and a sustained return of spontaneous circulation: a retrospective, multicentre, registry-based study

BackgroundCurrently, there is no consensus on the number of defibrillation attempts that should be made before transfer to a hospital in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This study aimed...

Impact of the 2015 European guidelines for resuscitation on traumatic cardiac arrest outcomes and prehospital management: A French nationwide interrupted time-series analysis

AimTo evaluate the impact of the 2015 European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines on patient outcomes following traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) and on advanced life support interventions carried out by physician-staffed ambulances. MethodsData of TCA patients aged ≥18 years were extracted from the French nationwide cardiac arrest registry. A pre- (2011–2015) and a post-publication period (2016–2020) were defined. In the guidelines, a specific TCA management algorithm was introduced to prioritise the treatment of reversible causes. Its impact was evaluated using adjusted interrupted time series analysis. Results4,980 patients were treated (2,145 during the pre-publication period and 2,739 during the post-publication period). There was no significant change in the rates of prehospital ROSC (22.4% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.07 in the pre- and post- intervention respectively), survival (1.4% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.87) or good neurological outcome (71.4% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.93) or in the incidence of organ donation (1.6% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.50). There were nonsignificant changes in the adjusted temporal trend for ROSC (aOR 0.88; 95% CI [0.77; 1.00]), survival (aOR 1.34; 95% CI [0.83;2.17]), good neurological outcome (aOR 1.57; 95% CI [0.82;3.05]), and organ donation (aOR 1.06; 95% CI [0.71;1.60]). The use of intraosseous catheters (13.0% vs. 19.2%, p < 0.001), external haemorrhage control measures (23.9% vs. 64.8%, p < 0.001), bilateral chest decompression (13.7% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.009), and packed red cell transfusion (2.7% vs. 6.5%, p < 0.001) increased in the post-publication period. ConclusionsDespite the increased frequency of trauma rescue interventions performed by on-scene physicians, no change in patient-centred outcomes was associated with the publication of the 2015 ERC guidelines in France.

Abstract Number ‐ 139: Endovascular Management of Intracranial Pediatric Traumatic Pseudoaneurysms: A Case Series and Systematic Review

Introduction Intracranial pseudoaneurysms (IPA) are rare and potentially life‐altering lesions. Although IPAs represent less than 1% of all intracranial aneurysms, they account for more than 19% of pediatric intracranial aneurysms. The goal of this study was to systematically review the management and outcomes of pediatric patients who developed pseudoaneurysms following head trauma. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, OVID Medline and Web of Science databases from date of database inception to May 2022. Studies were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Simultaneously, a retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent endovascular evaluation and treatment for intracranial pseudoaneurysms originating from head trauma at a single institution. Results A total of 221 articles were identified in our review, 51 studies met inclusion criteria. A total of 80 patients were treated for 81 intracranial traumatic pseudoaneurysms, including 5 cases from our institution, with 46 males, 28 females, and a mean age of 9.90 years (range 0.04 ‐18 years). 71 total pseudoaneurysms were the result of external trauma while 10 resulted from iatrogenic trauma. Vessels of the anterior circulation were injured in 75.3% (61/81) of cases. Posterior circulation was involved in 24.7% (20/81) of cases. The internal carotid artery was the most impacted vessel at 45.7% (37/81). The next most common territory injured was the anterior cerebral artery and its distal branches, including the pericallosal and callosomarginal arteries, at 17.3% (14/81). The basilar artery was the third most affected artery, representing 12.3% (10/81) of cases. Hemorrhage was present in 41 patients (51.3%). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was present in 33.8% (27/80), while intracerebral hemorrhage and interventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were present 22.5% and 18.8% of cases, respectively. A total of 92 procedures were performed, with only 8 patients requiring more than 1 procedure for treatment. Only 1 patient required more than 2 procedures. Aneurysm embolization, parent vessel occlusion, parent vessel reconstruction, and aneurysm trapping were performed in 31.5%, 22.8%, 43.5%, and 2.2% of cases, respectively. The intraoperative complication rate was 3.26%, all were ischemic in nature. Two of these ischemic complications resulted focal neurological deficits from parent vessel occlusion. Aneurysm recurrence was encountered in 7 cases, with 6 of these resulting from coil embolization. In patients treated with parent vessel reconstruction, 1 aneurysm ruptured post‐treatment and 2 patients experienced in‐stent thrombosis. Overall, 83.8% of patients had a good neurological outcome and 77.8% of aneurysms were completed occluded on follow‐up imaging. Conclusions The development of pseudoaneurysms in the pediatric population are an important consideration in cases of traumatic head injuries or iatrogenic vessel trauma. These lesions grow rapidly and can carry a high risk of morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Our findings suggest that endovascular treatment of traumatic pseudoaneurysms in the pediatric populations is safe and effective, with high rates of aneurysm occlusion and good neurological outcome. Overall, complications rates are low. Aneurysm embolization can carry an increased risk of aneurysm recurrence.

難治性院外心原性心停止に対する初期心電図によるpercutaneous cardiopulmonary support導入時間の検討(Analysis of the percutaneous cardiopulmonary support implementation time for refractory out–of–hospital cardiogenic cardiac arrest by initial electrocardiogram)

要旨【目的】治療抵抗性心停止に対する経皮的心肺補助（以下，PCPS）の転帰良好な因子として，初期心電図がショック適応心リズム（以下，ショックリズム）と心停止（以下，CA）からPCPS開始までの時間（以下，CA to PCPS）が短いことが挙げられる。しかし，近年ではショック非適応心リズム（以下，非ショックリズム）でも転帰良好な症例が報告されており，院外心原性心停止における初期心電図別のCA to PCPSと1か月後の転帰良好について検討した。【対象】これは単施設，後方視的研究であり，2000年1月から2017年3月に院外心原性心停止症例に対してPCPSを導入した219例（平均58歳，男性193例）を対象とした。【結果】ショックリズム群（167例）と非ショックリズム群（52例）において，転帰良好率は31% vs 10%（p＝0.003）であり，CA to PCPSの中央値は44.0分 vs 35.0分（p＝0.014）であった。さらにCA to PCPSを5分ごとに区切り転帰良好率を検討すると，ショックリズム群では36～40分で59%であったが，41～45分では33%まで低下しており，非ショックリズム群では40分以降に転帰良好は存在しなかった。【結語】心停止から40分以内のPCPS導入がより転帰良好になると考えられたが，非ショックリズム群ではさらに短縮する必要がある。

Tracheostomy as a component of intensive care for central nervous system diseases

Objective. To reveal the effective and safe timing of tracheostomy in patients with CNS diseases by comparative assessment of the duration of respiratory support and ICU, the frequency of development ventilator-associated pneumonia, the assessment of the level of consciousness according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), survival rate, as well as the incidence of complications rate.Materials and methods. A retrospective study was conducted among neurological and neurosurgical patients treated from 2010 to 2017 who underwent tracheostomy. Patients (n=131) were divided into 3 groups depending on the tracheostomy time.Results. The relation between early tracheostomy and the duration of respiratory support, the ICU bed-day, the probability of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with the central nervous system pathology was revealed; no relationship was found between the tracheostomy time and the neurological outcome and survival rate in this category patients.Conclusion. The use of early tracheostomy in intensive care of patients with the central nervous system pathology is effective, which is proved by a 2,2 times reduction of the duration of mechanical ventilation, by a 1.9 times reduction of the duration of the ICU day, by a 1.6 times lower risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia, without affecting outcomes and being safe due to the absence a lot of complications both during and after the surgical intervention.

Target temperature management versus normothermia without temperature feedback systems for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors.

ObjectiveThe clinical benefit of automatic temperature control devices remains unclear. We investigated the outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors who had undergone either target temperature management (TTM) with a temperature feedback system (TFS) or maintenance of normothermia without a TFS during post-resuscitation care.MethodsThis study was a retrospective analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort of OHCA survivors who had received postcardiac arrest care from August 2014 to December 2018. The overlap propensity score weighting method was applied for adjustment between groups.ResultsA total of 405 OHCA survivors were included. TTM with a TFS and normothermia without a TFS were applied to 318 and 87 patients, respectively. Fever events were more common in patients with normothermia without a TFS. After propensity score matching, no statistically significant differences were observed in the 1-month good neurologic outcome (odds ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–1.25) or survival rate (odds ratio 1.25, 95% CI 0.88–1.78).ConclusionNo significant differences in the 1-month neurologic outcome were observed between patients receiving TTM with a TFS and those undergoing normothermia without a TFS.

Sodium Bicarbonate Use During Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Secondary Analysis of the ICU-RESUScitation Project Trial.

To evaluate associations between sodium bicarbonate use and outcomes during pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (p-IHCA). Prespecified secondary analysis of a prospective, multicenter cluster randomized interventional trial. Eighteen participating ICUs of the ICU-RESUScitation Project (NCT02837497). Children less than or equal to 18 years old and greater than or equal to 37 weeks post conceptual age who received chest compressions of any duration from October 2016 to March 2021. None. Child and event characteristics, prearrest laboratory values (2-6 hr prior to p-IHCA), pre- and intraarrest hemodynamics, and outcomes were collected. In a propensity score weighted cohort, the relationships between sodium bicarbonate use and outcomes were assessed. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome. Of 1,100 index cardiopulmonary resuscitation events, median age was 0.63 years (interquartile range, 0.19-3.81 yr); 528 (48.0%) received sodium bicarbonate; 773 (70.3%) achieved ROSC; 642 (58.4%) survived to hospital discharge; and 596 (54.2%) survived to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome. Among the weighted cohort, sodium bicarbonate use was associated with lower survival to hospital discharge rate (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.7; 95% CI, 0.54-0.92; p = 0.01) and lower survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic outcome rate (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53-0.91; p = 0.007). Sodium bicarbonate use was not associated with ROSC (aOR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.62-1.34; p = 0.621). In this propensity weighted multicenter cohort study of p-IHCA, sodium bicarbonate use was common and associated with lower rates of survival to hospital discharge.