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The Surgeon : Journal of the Royal... Dec 2023Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is of the most serious emergencies in neurosurgical practice and continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality....
BACKGROUND
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is of the most serious emergencies in neurosurgical practice and continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Beyond securing the ruptured aneurysm to prevent a rebleed, physicians continue to be concerned about potential complications such as cerebral vasospasm-delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), an area where management remains highly variable. This study aimed at reviewing the most recent literature and assessing any up-to-date schemes for treating the most common aSAH neurological complications in adults that can be applied in daily clinical practice towards optimising outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines on the management of aSAH neurological complications in adults. The literature surveyed was between 2016 and 2022 inclusive, using the Pubmed search engine. Comparisons between the methods suggested by existing therapeutic algorithms were discussed.
RESULTS
Six stepwise algorithms assisting the decision-making for treating cerebral vasospasm-DCI were recognised and compared. No algorithm was found for the management of any other neurological complications of aSAH. Despite differences in the algorithms, induced hypertension and endovascular therapy were common treatments in all approaches. Controversy in the therapeutic process of these complications surrounds not only the variability of methods but also their optimal application towards clinical outcome optimisation.
CONCLUSIONS
A universal approach to managing aSAH complications is lacking. Despite advances in the techniques to secure a ruptured aneurysm, there persist a high rate of neurological deficit and mortality, and several unanswered questions. More research is required towards stratification of current treatment algorithms as per the quality of their evidence.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Vasospasm, Intracranial; Brain Ischemia; Aneurysm, Ruptured
PubMed: 37451887
DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2023.06.006 -
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery Sep 2023Vasospasm occurrence following traumatic brain injury may impact neurologic and functional recovery of patients, yet treatment of post-traumatic vasospasm (PTV) has not... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Vasospasm occurrence following traumatic brain injury may impact neurologic and functional recovery of patients, yet treatment of post-traumatic vasospasm (PTV) has not been well documented. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the current evidence regarding favorable outcome as measured by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores following treatment of PTV.
METHODS
A systematic review of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included manuscripts were methodically scrutinized for quality; occurrence of PTV; rate of favorable outcome following each treatment modality; and follow-up duration. Treatments evaluated were calcium channel blockers (CCBs), endovascular intervention, and dopamine-induced hypertension. Outcomes were compared via the random-effects analysis.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies with 1885 PTV patients were quantitatively analyzed: 982 patients who received tailored therapeutic intervention and 903 patients who did not receive tailored therapy. For patients undergoing treatment, the rate of favorable outcome was 57.3 % (500/872 patients; 95 % CI 54.1 - 60.6 %) following administration of CCBs, 94.1 % (16/17 patients; 95 % CI 82.9 - 100.0 %) following endovascular intervention, and 54.8 % (51/93 patients; 95 % CI 44.7 - 65.0 %) following dopamine-induced hypertension. Of note, the endovascular group had the highest rate of favorable outcome but was also the smallest sample size (n = 17). Patients who received tailored therapeutic intervention for PTV had a higher rate of favorable outcome than patients who did not receive tailored therapy: 57.7 % (567/982 patients; 95 % CI 54.1 - 60.8 %) versus 52.0 % (470/903 patients; 95 % CI 48.8 - 55.3 %), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The available data suggests that tailored therapeutic intervention of PTV results in a favorable outcome. While endovascular intervention of PTV had the highest rate of favorable outcome, both CCB administration and dopamine-induced hypertension had similar lower rates of favorable outcome.
Topics: Humans; Dopamine; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Hypertension; Glasgow Outcome Scale
PubMed: 37441930
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107877 -
Surgical Neurology International 2023This study provides a comprehensive overview of the management of postoperative vasospasm after skull base surgeries. This phenomenon is rare but can be of serious...
BACKGROUND
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the management of postoperative vasospasm after skull base surgeries. This phenomenon is rare but can be of serious sequelae.
METHODS
Medline, Embase, and PubMed Central were searched, along with examining the references of the included studies. Only case reports and series that reported vasospasm following a skull base pathology were incorporated. Cases with pathologies other than skull base, subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome were excluded from the study. Quantitative data were presented as mean (Standard Deviation) or median (range), accordingly, while qualitative data were presented as frequency (percentage). Chi- square test and one-way analysis of variance were used to assess for any association between the different factors and patient outcomes.
RESULTS
We had a total of 42 cases extracted from the literature. The mean age was 40.1 (±16.1) with approximately equal males and females (19 [45.2%] and 23 [54.8%], respectively). The time to develop vasospasm after the surgery was 7 days (±3.7). Most of the cases were diagnosed by either angiogram or magnetic resonance angiography. Seventeen of the 42 patients had pituitary adenoma as the pathology. Anterior circulation was nearly affected in all patients. For management, most patients received pharmacological with supportive management. Twenty-three patients had an incomplete recovery as a result of vasospasm.
CONCLUSION
Vasospasm following skull base operations can affect males and females, and most patients in this review were middle-aged adults. The outcome of patients varies; however, most patients did not achieve a full recovery. There was no correlation between any factors and the outcome.
PubMed: 37404488
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_441_2023 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2023Emerging evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may play a potential role in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We aim to analyze the influence of... (Review)
Review
Emerging evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may play a potential role in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We aim to analyze the influence of anti-inflammatory therapy on survival and outcome in aSAH. Eligible randomized placebo-controlled prospective trials (RCTs) were searched in PubMed until March 2023. After screening the available studies for inclusion and exclusion criteria, we strictly extracted the main outcome measures. Dichotomous data were determined and extracted by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Neurological outcome was graded using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We created funnel plots to analyze publication bias. From 967 articles identified during the initial screening, we included 14 RCTs in our meta-analysis. Our results illustrate that anti-inflammatory therapy yields an equivalent probability of survival compared to placebo or conventional management (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.55-1.19, = 0.28). Generally, anti-inflammatory therapy trended to be associated with a better neurologic outcome (mRS ≤ 2) compared to placebo or conventional treatment (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 0.95-2.32, = 0.08). Our meta-analysis showed no increased mortality form anti-inflammatory therapy. Anti-inflammatory therapy in aSAH patients tends to improve the neurological outcome. However, multicenter, rigorous, designed, prospective randomized studies are still needed to investigate the effect of fighting inflammation in improving neurological functioning after aSAH.
PubMed: 37373858
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12124165 -
Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics Sep 2023Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) associated with vasospasm is well described in the setting of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In addition, DCI is very...
OBJECTIVE
Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) associated with vasospasm is well described in the setting of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In addition, DCI is very infrequently encountered in patients who have undergone resection of a brain tumor with unclear pathophysiology. The occurrence of DCI in the pediatric population is exceedingly rare, and outcomes in this population have, to the authors' knowledge, never been systematically reviewed. Therefore, the authors present what is to their knowledge the largest series of pediatric patients with this complication and systematically reviewed the literature for individual participant data.
METHODS
The authors conducted a retrospective review of 172 sellar and suprasellar tumors in pediatric patients who underwent surgery at the Montreal Children's Hospital between 1999 and 2017 to identify cases of vasospasm occurring after tumor resection. Descriptive statistics, including patient characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative findings, and outcome status, were collected. A systematic review was also conducted using three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase) to identify reported cases available in the literature of vasospasm after tumor resection in children and collect individual participant data on these patients for further analysis.
RESULTS
Six patients treated at Montreal Children's Hospital were identified, with an average age of 9.5 years (range 6-15 years). The prevalence of vasospasm after tumor resection was 3.5% (6/172). Vasospasm in all 6 patients occurred after craniotomy was performed to treat a suprasellar tumor. The average interval from surgery to symptoms was 3.25 days (range 12 hours-10 days). The most common tumor etiology was craniopharyngioma, seen in 4 cases. Extensive tumor encasement of blood vessels requiring significant operative manipulation was described in all 6 patients. A rapid decrease in serum sodium (exceeding 12 mEq/L/24 hrs or below 135 mEq/L) was seen in 4 patients. On final follow-up, 3 patients were left with significant disability, and all patients had persistent deficits. A systematic review of the literature revealed a total of 10 other patients whose characteristics and treatment were compared with those of the 6 patients treated at Montreal Children's Hospital.
CONCLUSIONS
Vasospasm after tumor resection in children and youth is likely a rare entity, with a prevalence of 3.5% in this case series. Suprasellar tumor location (particularly craniopharyngioma tumor etiology), significant encasement of blood vessels by the tumor, and postoperative hyponatremia may be predictive factors. Outcome is poor, with most patients having significant persistent neurological deficits.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Child; Craniopharyngioma; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Brain Ischemia; Brain Neoplasms; Craniotomy; Pituitary Neoplasms; Vasospasm, Intracranial
PubMed: 37327188
DOI: 10.3171/2023.3.PEDS22373 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Jul 2023Extrapolating from efficacy in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), nimodipine has been used as a treatment for reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). However,... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Extrapolating from efficacy in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), nimodipine has been used as a treatment for reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). However, 4-hourly dosing is a practical limitation and verapamil has been proposed as an alternative. The potential efficacy, adverse effects, preferred dosing and formulation of verapamil for RCVS have not been systematically reviewed previously.
METHOD
A systematic review was conducted of the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception to July 2022 for peer-reviewed articles describing the use of verapamil for RCVS. This systematic review adheres to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO.
RESULTS
There were 58 articles included in the review, which included 56 patients with RCVS treated with oral verapamil and 15 patients treated with intra-arterial verapamil. The most common oral verapamil dosing regimen was controlled release 120 mg once daily. There were 54/56 patients described to have improvement in headache following oral verapamil and one patient who died from worsening RCVS. Only 2/56 patients noted possible adverse effects with oral verapamil, with none requiring discontinuation. There was one case of hypotension from combined oral and intra-arterial verapamil. Vascular complications including ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke were recorded in 33/56 patients. RCVS recurrence was described in 9 patients, with 2 cases upon weaning oral verapamil.
CONCLUSIONS
While no randomised studies exist to support the use of verapamil in RCVS, observational data support a possible clinical benefit. Verapamil appears well tolerated in this setting and represents a reasonable treatment option. Randomised controlled trials including comparison with nimodipine are warranted.
Topics: Humans; Verapamil; Nimodipine; Vasoconstriction; Vasospasm, Intracranial; Cerebrovascular Disorders
PubMed: 37267876
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.05.013 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents a severe acute event with high morbidity and mortality due to the development of early brain injury (EBI), secondary delayed... (Review)
Review
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents a severe acute event with high morbidity and mortality due to the development of early brain injury (EBI), secondary delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), and shunt-related hydrocephalus. Secondary events (SSE) such as neuroinflammation, vasospasm, excitotoxicity, blood-brain barrier disruption, oxidative cascade, and neuronal apoptosis are related to DCI. Despite improvement in management strategies and therapeutic protocols, surviving patients frequently present neurological deficits with neurocognitive impairment. The aim of this paper is to offer to clinicians a practical review of the actually documented pathophysiological events following subarachnoid hemorrhage. To reach our goal we performed a literature review analyzing reported studies regarding the mediators involved in the pathophysiological events following SAH occurring in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (hemoglobin degradation products, platelets, complement, cytokines, chemokines, leucocytes, endothelin-1, NO-synthase, osteopontin, matricellular proteins, blood-brain barrier disruption, microglia polarization). The cascade of pathophysiological events secondary to SAH is very complex and involves several interconnected, but also distinct pathways. The identification of single therapeutical targets or specific pharmacological agents may be a limited strategy able to block only selective pathophysiological paths, but not the global evolution of SAH-related events. We report furthermore on the role of heparin in SAH management and discuss the rationale for use of intrathecal heparin as a pleiotropic therapeutical agent. The combination of the anticoagulant effect and the ability to interfere with SSE theoretically make heparin a very interesting molecule for SAH management.
Topics: Humans; Heparin; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Vasospasm, Intracranial; Cerebral Infarction; Brain Ischemia
PubMed: 37175544
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097832 -
Interventional Neuroradiology : Journal... Apr 2023Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a treatment option for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. The use of a balloon-guided catheter (BGC) for EVT via... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a treatment option for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. The use of a balloon-guided catheter (BGC) for EVT via transradial access (TRA) has emerged as a treatment approach, but its efficacy and safety compared to existing practices are uncertain.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was performed using Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science databases, and manual search. Studies reporting safety and efficacy metrics for TRA BGC EVT were included. Data regarding recanalization time, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI), modified Rankin scale (mRS), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), first pass effect (FPE), and additional complications was pooled using a random-effects model to calculate event rates and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
The search yielded five studies (n = 117). The mean time from puncture to final recanalization was 34.5 (95% CI = 30.5 to 39.14, I = 0%, P-value = 0.37) min. Successful recanalization (TICI 2b-3) and complete recanalization (TICI 3) occurred in 96.6% (95% CI = 91.24 to 98.71, I = 0%, P-value = 0.99) and 55.2% (95% CI = 42.14 to 67.54, I = 0%, P-value = 0.39) of cases, respectively. FPE occurred in 67.5% (95% CI = 51.73 to 80.10, I = 0%, P-value = 0.56) of patients. mRS 0-2 was achieved in 41.2% (95% CI = 27.34 to 56.65, I = 70%, P-value = 0.07) of patients. sICH occurred in 5.0% (95% CI = 1.25 to 17.91, I = 0%, P-value = 1.00) of patients. Local complications of radial hematoma and radial vasospasm occurred in 5.0% (95% CI = 0.49 to 12.36, I = 29%, P-value = 0.24) and 2.1% (95% CI = 1.25 to 17.91, I = 71%, P-value = 0.03) of cases, respectively. Switch to femoral access was necessary in 3.7% (95% CI = 0.00 to 14.07, I = 68%, P-value = 0.02) of procedures. The average number of passes per procedure was 1.6 (95% CI = 1.15 to 2.11, I = 88%, P-value < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
TRA BGC EVT has potential as a safe and efficacious treatment option compared to existing methods. However, additional, prospective studies are necessary to inform clinical decision making.
PubMed: 37097886
DOI: 10.1177/15910199231171955 -
BMC Anesthesiology Apr 2023The two most common methods for ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation are the long-axis in-plane (LA-IP) and short-axis out-of-plane (SA-OOP) approaches. However, it is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The two most common methods for ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation are the long-axis in-plane (LA-IP) and short-axis out-of-plane (SA-OOP) approaches. However, it is uncertain which method is more advantageous. We conducted a meta-analysis of reported randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the two techniques in terms of success rate, cannulation time, and complications.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database for RCTs comparing the LA-IP and SA-OOP techniques for ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation published from inception through April 31, 2022. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of each RCT. Review Manager 5.4 and Stata/SE 17.0 were used to analyze the two primary outcome measures (first-attempt success rate and total success rate) and two secondary outcome measures (cannulation time and complications).
RESULTS
A total of 13 RCTs with 1,377 patients were included. There were no significant differences in first-attempt success rate (risk ratio [RR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-1.12; P = 0.45; I = 84%) and overall success rate (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.95-1.02; P = 0.48; I = 57%). When compared with the LA-IP technique, the SA-OOP technique was associated with an increased incidence of posterior wall puncture (RR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.27-7.14; P = 0.01; I = 79%) and hematoma (RR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.05-4.37; P = 0.04; I = 63%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of vasospasm between techniques (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.37-4.23; P = 0.07; I = 53%).
CONCLUSIONS
The present results suggest that the SA-OOP technique is associated with a higher incidence of posterior wall puncture and hematoma than the LA-IP technique, whereas success rates are similar for the two ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation techniques. These findings should be experimentally evaluated in a more rigorous manner due to high inter-RCT heterogeneity.
Topics: Humans; Catheterization, Peripheral; Hematoma; Ultrasonography; Catheterization
PubMed: 37055775
DOI: 10.1186/s12871-023-02076-2 -
World Neurosurgery Jul 2023Although randomized controlled trials have compared surgery versus endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms, the literature is sparse in terms of subgroup... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Although randomized controlled trials have compared surgery versus endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms, the literature is sparse in terms of subgroup analysis for anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm management. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to compare surgical versus endovascular treatment for ACoA aneurysms.
METHODS
Medline, PubMed, and Embase were searched from inception to December 12, 2022. Primary outcomes were post-treatment modified Rankin Scale (mRS) >2 and mortality. Secondary outcomes were aneurysm obliteration, retreatment and recurrence, rebleeding, technical failure, vessel rupture, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus, symptomatic vasospasm, and stroke.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies yielded 2368 patients, from which 1196 (50.5%) and 1172 (49.4%) patients underwent surgery and endovascular treatment, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of mortality was similar in total (OR = 0.92 [0.63-1.37], P = 0.69), ruptured (OR = 0.92 [0.62-1.36], P = 0.66), and unruptured cohorts (OR = 1.58 [0.06-39.60], P = 0.78). The OR of mRS > 2 was similar in total (OR = 0.75 [0.50-1.13], P = 0.17), ruptured (OR = 0.77 [0.49-1.20], P = 0.25), and unruptured cohorts (OR = 0.64 [0.21-1.96], P = 0.44). The OR of obliteration was higher with surgery in the total (OR = 2.52 [1.49-4.27], P = 0.0008) and ruptured cohorts (OR = 2.61 [1.33-5.10], P = 0.005) and unruptured group (OR = 3.46 [1.30-9.20], P = 0.01). The OR of retreatment was lower with surgery in the total (OR = 0.37 [0.17-0.76], P = 0.007) and ruptured cohorts (OR = 0.31 [0.11-0.89], P = 0.03), thought it was similar in the unruptured group (OR = 0.51 [0.08-3.03], P = 0.46). The OR of recurrence was lower with surgery in the total (OR = 0.22 [0.10, 0.47], P = 0.0001), ruptured (OR = 0.16 [0.03, 0.90], P = 0.04), and mixed (un) ruptured cohorts (OR = 0.22 [0.09-0.53], P = 0.0009). The OR of rebleeding in ruptured group was similar (OR = 0.66 [0.29-1.52], P = 0.33). The ORs of other outcomes were similar.
CONCLUSIONS
ACoA aneurysms may be safely treated with either surgery or endovascular treatment, although microsurgical clipping demonstrates higher obliteration rates and lower rates of retreatment and recurrence.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Child; Intracranial Aneurysm; Treatment Outcome; Aneurysm, Ruptured; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Retreatment; Embolization, Therapeutic; Endovascular Procedures
PubMed: 37011760
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.03.111