Barbiturate coma for intracranial hypertension: clinical observations

Early use of barbiturates is associated with increased mortality in traumatic brain injury patients from a propensity score-based analysis of a prospective cohort

Barbiturates are proposed as a second/third line treatment for intracranial hypertension in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, but the literature remains uncertain regarding their benefit/risk balance. We aimed to evaluate the impact of barbiturates therapy in TBI patients with early intracranial hypertension on the intensive care unit (ICU) survival, the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and the patient’s functional status at three months. We used the French AtlanREA prospective cohort of trauma patients. Using a propensity score-based methodology (inverse probability of treatment weighting), we compared patients having received barbiturates within the first 24 hours of admission (barbiturates group) and those who did not (control group). We used cause-specific Cox models for ICU survival and risk of VAP, and logistic regression for the 3-month Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) evaluation. Among the 1396 patients with severe trauma, 383 had intracranial hypertension on admission and were analyzed. Among them, 96 (25.1%) received barbiturates. The early use of barbiturates was significantly associated with increased ICU mortality (HR = 1.85, 95%CI 1.03–3.33). However, barbiturates treatment was not significantly associated with VAP (HR = 1.02, 95%CI 0.75–1.41) or 3-month GOS (OR = 1.67, 95%CI 0.84–3.33). Regarding the absence of relevant clinical trials, our results suggest that each early prescription of barbiturates requires a careful assessment of the benefit/risk ratio.

Blunt and Penetrating Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Severe traumatic brain injury is a common problem. Current practices focus on the importance of early resuscitation, transfer to high-volume centers, and provider expertise across multiple specialties. In the emergency department, patients should receive urgent intracranial imaging and consideration for tranexamic acid. Close observation in the intensive care unit environment helps identify problems, such as seizure, intracranial pressure crisis, and injury progression. In addition to traditional neurologic examination, patients benefit from use of intracranial monitors. Monitors gather physiologic data on intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures to help guide therapy. Brain tissue oxygenation monitoring and cerebromicrodialysis show promise in studies.

Management of raised intracranial pressure in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: time for a consensus?

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a well-recognized phenomenon in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) that has been demonstrated to lead to poor outcomes. Despite significant advances in clinical research into aSAH, there are no consensus guidelines devoted specifically to the management of elevated ICP in the setting of aSAH. To treat high ICP in aSAH, most centers extrapolate their treatment algorithms from studies and published guidelines for traumatic brain injury. Herein, the authors review the current management strategies for treating raised ICP within the aSAH population, emphasize key differences from the traumatic brain injury population, and highlight potential directions for future research in this controversial topic.

Management of acute intracranial and intraventricular hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Acute intracranial hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage are devastating disorders. The goal of this review is to familiarize clinicians with recent information pertaining to the acute care of intracranial hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed search and review of the relevant medical literature.

SUMMARY

The management of intracranial hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage is complex. Effective treatment should include strategies designed to reduce hematoma expansion and limit the medical consequences of intracranial hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage. At present, there are a number of new approaches to treatment that may reduce mortality and improve clinical outcomes. Clinicians should recognize that patients with large hematomas may make a substantial recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with intracranial hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage should be cared for in an intensive care unit. New therapies designed to stabilize hematoma growth and reduce hematoma burden may improve outcomes.

Management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has the highest mortality of all cerebrovascular events. Thirty-day mortality approaches 50%, and only 20% of survivors achieve meaningful functional recovery at 6 months. Many clinicians believe that effective therapies are lacking; however, this is changing because of new data on the pathophysiology and treatment of ICH, particularly research establishing the role of medical therapies to promote hematoma stabilization. This article provides updates to a recent publication discussing basic principles of ICH management, including initial stabilization, the prevention of hematoma growth, treatment of complications, and identification of the underlying etiology. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to reduce clot size is also discussed, with the goal of preserving neurologic function through reduction in parenchymal damage from edema formation.

The effect of barbiturate coma therapy for the patients with severe intracranial hypertension: a 10-year experience

OBJECTIVE

Barbiturate coma therapy (BCT) has been known to be an useful method to control increased intracranial pressure (IICP) refractory to medical and surgical treatments. We have used BCT for patients with severe IICP during the past 10 years, and analyzed our results with review of literatures.

METHODS

We analyzed 92 semicomatose or comatose patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) of 7 or less with severe IICP due to cerebral edema secondary to parenchymal damages irrespective of their causes. Forty patients who had received BCT with ICP monitoring from January 1997 to December 2006 were included in BCT group, and fifty-two patients who had been managed without BCT from January 1991 to December 1995 were divided into control group. We compared outcomes with Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and survival rate between the two groups.

RESULTS

Good outcome (GOS=4 and 5) rates at 3-month after insult were 27.5% and 5.8% in BCT and control group, respectively (p<0.01). One-year survival rates were 35.9% and 12.5% in BCT and control group, respectively (p<0.01). In BCT group, the mean age of good outcome patients (37.1 +/- 14.9) was significantly lower than that of poor outcome patients (48.1 +/- 13.5) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

With our 10-year experience, we suggest that BCT is an effective treatment method for severe IICP patients for better survival and GOS, especially for younger patients.

Management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has the highest mortality of all cerebrovascular events. Thirty-day mortality approaches 50%, and only 20% of survivors achieve meaningful functional recovery at 6 months. Many clinicians believe that effective therapies are lacking; however, this is changing because of new data on the pathophysiology and treatment of ICH, particularly research establishing the role of medical therapies to promote hematoma stabilization. This article provides updates to a recent publication discussing basic principles of ICH management, including initial stabilization, the prevention of hematoma growth, treatment of complications, and identification of the underlying etiology. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to reduce clot size is also discussed, with the goal of preserving neurologic function through reduction in parenchymal damage from edema formation.

Advances in the management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with the highest mortality of all cerebrovascular events, and most survivors never regain functional independence. Many clinicians believe that effective therapies are lacking for patients who have ICH; however, this perception is changing in light of new data on the pathophysiology and treatment of this disorder, in particular, research establishing the role of medical therapies to promote hematoma stabilization. This article discusses the basic principles of management of ICH, including initial stabilization, the prevention of hematoma growth, treatment of complications, and identification of the underlying etiology. In addition, minimally invasive surgery to reduce clot size is discussed, with the goal of preserving neurologic function through reduction in parenchymal damage from edema formation.

Primer on medical management of severe brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To review the current understanding of the medical management of severe brain injury.

DATA SOURCE

The MEDLINE database, bibliographies of selected articles, and current English-language texts on the subject.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies related to management of intracranial hypertension, traumatic brain injury, and brain edema.

DATA EXTRACTION

All studies relevant to the subject under consideration were considered, with a focus on clinical studies in adults.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Basic rules of resuscitation must apply, including adequate ventilation, appropriate fluid administration, and cardiovascular support. The control of intracranial pressure can be considered in three steps. The first step should be initial slight hyperventilation with a target PaCO2 of 35 mm Hg and cerebrospinal fluid drainage for intracranial pressure of >15-20 mm Hg. The second step should be mannitol or hypertonic saline and hyperventilation to target PaCO2 of 28-35 mm Hg. The third step should be barbiturate coma or decompressive craniectomy. Additional management issues, including seizure prophylaxis, sedation, nutritional support, use of hypothermia, and corticosteroids, are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Brain injury is frequently associated with the development of brain edema and the development of intracranial hypertension. However, with a coordinated, stepwise, and aggressive approach to management, focusing on control of intracranial pressure without adversely affecting cerebral perfusion pressure, outcomes can be good.