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Kurtz P, van den Boogaard M, Girard TD, Hermann B. Acute encephalopathy in the ICU: a practical approach. Curr Opin Crit Care 2024; 30:106-120. [PMID: 38441156 DOI: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000001144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Acute encephalopathy (AE) - which frequently develops in critically ill patients with and without primary brain injury - is defined as an acute process that evolves rapidly and leads to changes in baseline cognitive status, ranging from delirium to coma. The diagnosis, monitoring, and management of AE is challenging. Here, we discuss advances in definitions, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic options, and implications to outcomes of the clinical spectrum of AE in ICU patients without primary brain injury. RECENT FINDINGS Understanding and definitions of delirium and coma have evolved. Delirium is a neurocognitive disorder involving impairment of attention and cognition, usually fluctuating, and developing over hours to days. Coma is a state of unresponsiveness, with absence of command following, intelligible speech, or visual pursuit, with no imaging or neurophysiological evidence of cognitive motor dissociation. The CAM-ICU(-7) and the ICDSC are validated, guideline-recommended tools for clinical delirium assessment, with identification of clinical subtypes and stratification of severity. In comatose patients, the roles of continuous EEG monitoring and neuroimaging have grown for the early detection of secondary brain injury and treatment of reversible causes. SUMMARY Evidence-based pharmacologic treatments for delirium are limited. Dexmedetomidine is effective for mechanically ventilated patients with delirium, while haloperidol has minimal effect of delirium but may have other benefits. Specific treatments for coma in nonprimary brain injury are still lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Kurtz
- D'Or Institute of Research and Education
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mark van den Boogaard
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Intensive Care, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy D Girard
- Center for Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bertrand Hermann
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris - Centre (APHP-Centre)
- INSERM UMR 1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris (IPNP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Ohsaka H, Nagasawa H, Isogai R, Taniguchi H, Ota S, Hamada M, Sakai T, Yanagawa Y. A Case of Spastic Quadriplegia Remaining after Multiple Traumatic Injuries Complicated by Sepsis and Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome, as well as Delayed Multifocal Microbleeds. J Emerg Trauma Shock 2024; 17:121-122. [PMID: 39070868 PMCID: PMC11279496 DOI: 10.4103/jets.jets_154_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hiromichi Ohsaka
- Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nagasawa
- Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Rino Isogai
- Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Taniguchi
- Department of Traumatology and Emergency Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa City, Saitama, Japan
| | - Soichiro Ota
- Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Michika Hamada
- Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Sakai
- Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Youichi Yanagawa
- Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Japan
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Fan TH, Premraj L, Roberts J, Lydston M, Robba C, Hager D, Suarez JI, Battaglini D, Cho SM. In-Hospital Neurologic Complications, Neuromonitoring, and Long-Term Neurologic Outcomes in Patients With Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med 2024; 52:452-463. [PMID: 37921513 PMCID: PMC10923122 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000006096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although delirium is well described in patients with sepsis, there are limited data on other neurologic complications. We aimed to systematically review the prevalence, neuromonitoring tools, and neurocognitive outcomes in sepsis patients with neurologic complications. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE and six other databases (Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov ) were searched through January 2023. STUDY SELECTION Studies of adult patients with sepsis reported neurologic complications, use of neuromonitoring tools, neuropathology, and cognitive outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Random-effect meta-analyses were used to pool data. DATA SYNTHESIS Seventy-four studies ( n = 146,855) were included. Neurologic complications were reported in 38 studies ( n = 142,193) including septic encephalopathy (36%, 95% CI, 27-46%; I 2 = 99%), ischemic stroke (5%, 95% CI, 2.1-11.5; I 2 = 99%), intracranial hemorrhage (2%, 95% CI, 1.0-4.4%; I 2 = 96%), seizures (1%, 95% CI, 0.2-7%; I 2 = 96%), posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (9%), and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (7%). In the meta-regression analysis, pulmonary infection, sepsis induced by a gram-positive organism, higher sequential organ failure assessment score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score at admission, and longer ICU length of stay were associated with higher risk of developing septic encephalopathy. Three studies ( n = 159) reported postmortem neuropathological findings, acute brain injury was noted in 47% of patients. Twenty-six studies ( n = 1,358) reported the use of neuromonitoring tools, electroencephalogram was the most used tool for seizure detection. Transcranial Doppler and near infrared spectroscopy were used for monitoring cerebral hemodynamic changes to detect early ischemia. Six studies reported cognitive outcomes ( n = 415) up to 12 months postdischarge and cognitive impairment (≥ one domain) was reported in 30%. CONCLUSIONS In-hospital neurologic complications are common in patients with sepsis. However, the mechanism and timing of those sepsis-associated complications are poorly understood and there are limited data on standardized neuromonitoring in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey H Fan
- Department of Neurology, Neurocritical Care Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lavienraj Premraj
- Griffith University School of Medicine, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jacob Roberts
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Melissa Lydston
- Treadwell Virtual Library, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Chiara Robba
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostiche Integrate, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - David Hager
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jose I. Suarez
- Divisions of Neuroscience Critical Care and Cardiac Surgery, Departments of Neurology, Surgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Denise Battaglini
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostiche Integrate, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Sung-Min Cho
- Divisions of Neuroscience Critical Care and Cardiac Surgery, Departments of Neurology, Surgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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Sonneville R, Benghanem S, Jeantin L, de Montmollin E, Doman M, Gaudemer A, Thy M, Timsit JF. The spectrum of sepsis-associated encephalopathy: a clinical perspective. Crit Care 2023; 27:386. [PMID: 37798769 PMCID: PMC10552444 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04655-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy is a severe neurologic syndrome characterized by a diffuse dysfunction of the brain caused by sepsis. This review provides a concise overview of diagnostic tools and management strategies for SAE at the acute phase and in the long term. Early recognition and diagnosis of SAE are crucial for effective management. Because neurologic evaluation can be confounded by several factors in the intensive care unit setting, a multimodal approach is warranted for diagnosis and management. Diagnostic tools commonly employed include clinical evaluation, metabolic tests, electroencephalography, and neuroimaging in selected cases. The usefulness of blood biomarkers of brain injury for diagnosis remains limited. Clinical evaluation involves assessing the patient's mental status, motor responses, brainstem reflexes, and presence of abnormal movements. Electroencephalography can rule out non-convulsive seizures and help detect several patterns of various severity such as generalized slowing, epileptiform discharges, and triphasic waves. In patients with acute encephalopathy, the diagnostic value of non-contrast computed tomography is limited. In septic patients with persistent encephalopathy, seizures, and/or focal signs, magnetic resonance imaging detects brain injury in more than 50% of cases, mainly cerebrovascular complications, and white matter changes. Timely identification and treatment of the underlying infection are paramount, along with effective control of systemic factors that may contribute to secondary brain injury. Upon admission to the ICU, maintaining appropriate levels of oxygenation, blood pressure, and metabolic balance is crucial. Throughout the ICU stay, it is important to be mindful of the potential neurotoxic effects associated with specific medications like midazolam and cefepime, and to closely monitor patients for non-convulsive seizures. The potential efficacy of targeted neurocritical care during the acute phase in optimizing patient outcomes deserves to be further investigated. Sepsis-associated encephalopathy may lead to permanent neurologic sequelae. Seizures occurring in the acute phase increase the susceptibility to long-term epilepsy. Extended ICU stays and the presence of sepsis-associated encephalopathy are linked to functional disability and neuropsychological sequelae, underscoring the necessity for long-term surveillance in the comprehensive care of septic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Sonneville
- INSERM UMR 1137, Université Paris Cité, 75018, Paris, France.
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, APHP, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, 75877, Paris Cedex, France.
| | - Sarah Benghanem
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Cochin University Hospital, APHP, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Lina Jeantin
- Department of Neurology, Rothschild Foundation, Paris, France
| | - Etienne de Montmollin
- INSERM UMR 1137, Université Paris Cité, 75018, Paris, France
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, APHP, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, 75877, Paris Cedex, France
| | - Marc Doman
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, APHP, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, 75877, Paris Cedex, France
| | - Augustin Gaudemer
- INSERM UMR 1137, Université Paris Cité, 75018, Paris, France
- Department Radiology, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, APHP, 75018, Paris, France
| | - Michael Thy
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, APHP, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, 75877, Paris Cedex, France
| | - Jean-François Timsit
- INSERM UMR 1137, Université Paris Cité, 75018, Paris, France
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, APHP, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, 75877, Paris Cedex, France
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Sieminski M, Szaruta-Raflesz K, Szypenbejl J, Krzyzaniak K. Potential Neuroprotective Role of Melatonin in Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy Due to Its Scavenging and Anti-Oxidative Properties. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1786. [PMID: 37760089 PMCID: PMC10525116 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The brain is one of the organs involved in sepsis, and sepsis-induced brain injury manifests as sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). SAE may be present in up to 70% of septic patients. SAE has a very wide spectrum of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild behavioral changes through cognitive disorders to disorders of consciousness and coma. The presence of SAE increases mortality in the population of septic patients and may lead to chronic cognitive dysfunction in sepsis survivors. Therefore, therapeutic interventions with neuroprotective effects in sepsis are needed. Melatonin, a neurohormone responsible for the control of circadian rhythms, exerts many beneficial physiological effects. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are well described. It is considered a potential therapeutic factor in sepsis, with positive results from studies on animal models and with encouraging results from the first human clinical trials. With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, it may also exert a neuroprotective effect in sepsis-associated encephalopathy. The review presents data on melatonin as a potential drug in SAE in the wider context of the pathophysiology of SAE and the specific actions of the pineal neurohormone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Sieminski
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland; (K.S.-R.); (K.K.)
| | | | - Jacek Szypenbejl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland; (K.S.-R.); (K.K.)
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Schütze S, Drevets DA, Tauber SC, Nau R. Septic encephalopathy in the elderly - biomarkers of potential clinical utility. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1238149. [PMID: 37744876 PMCID: PMC10512712 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1238149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Next to acute sickness behavior, septic encephalopathy is the most frequent involvement of the brain during infection. It is characterized by a cross-talk of pro-inflammatory cells across the blood-brain barrier, by microglial activation and leukocyte migration, but not by the entry of infecting organisms into the brain tissue. Septic encephalopathy is very frequent in older persons because of their limited cognitive reserve. The predominant clinical manifestation is delirium, whereas focal neurological signs and symptoms are absent. Electroencephalography is a very sensitive method to detect functional abnormalities, but these abnormalities are not specific for septic encephalopathy and of limited prognostic value. Routine cerebral imaging by computer tomography usually fails to visualize the subtle abnormalities produced by septic involvement of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging is by far more sensitive to detect vasogenic edema, diffuse axonal injury or small ischemic lesions. Routine laboratory parameters most suitable to monitor sepsis, but not specific for septic encephalopathy, are C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. The additional measurement of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α increases the accuracy to predict delirium and an unfavorable outcome. The most promising laboratory parameters to quantify neuronal and axonal injury caused by septic encephalopathy are neurofilament light chains (NfL) and S100B protein. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) plasma concentrations are strongly influenced by hemolysis. We propose to determine NSE only in non-hemolytic plasma or serum samples for the estimation of outcome in septic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schütze
- Department of Neuropathology, University Medicine Göttingen, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Geriatrics, AGAPLESION Markus Krankenhaus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Douglas A. Drevets
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma HSC, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Simone C. Tauber
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Aachen, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roland Nau
- Department of Neuropathology, University Medicine Göttingen, Georg-August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Geriatrics Evangelisches Krankenhaus Göttingen-Weende, Göttingen, Germany
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Morris NA, Sarwal A. Neurologic Complications of Critical Medical Illness. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2023; 29:848-886. [PMID: 37341333 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article reviews the neurologic complications encountered in patients admitted to non-neurologic intensive care units, outlines various scenarios in which a neurologic consultation can add to the diagnosis or management of a critically ill patient, and provides advice on the best diagnostic approach in the evaluation of these patients. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Increasing recognition of neurologic complications and their adverse impact on long-term outcomes has led to increased neurology involvement in non-neurologic intensive care units. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having a structured clinical approach to neurologic complications of critical illness as well as the critical care management of patients with chronic neurologic disabilities. ESSENTIAL POINTS Critical illness is often accompanied by neurologic complications. Neurologists need to be aware of the unique needs of critically ill patients, especially the nuances of the neurologic examination, challenges in diagnostic testing, and neuropharmacologic aspects of commonly used medications.
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8
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Commentary on Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome and Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy. Neurocrit Care 2022; 37:8-9. [PMID: 35133606 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-022-01443-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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