Cerebral Hemorrhage and Alcohol Exposure: A Review

Long-term outcome of alcohol withdrawal seizures

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS) are a well-known complication of chronic alcohol abuse, but there is currently little knowledge of their long-term relapse rate and prognosis. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for AWS recurrence and to study the overall outcome of patients after AWS.

METHODS

In this retrospective single-center study, we included patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department after an AWS between January 1, 2013 and August 10, 2021 and for whom an electroencephalogram (EEG) was requested. AWS relapses up until April 29, 2022 were researched. We compared history, treatment with benzodiazepines or antiseizure medications (ASMs), laboratory, EEG and computed tomography findings between patients with AWS relapse (r-AWS) and patients with no AWS relapse (nr-AWS).

RESULTS

A total of 199 patients were enrolled (mean age 53 ± 12 years; 78.9% men). AWS relapses occurred in 11% of patients, after a median time of 470.5 days. Brain computed tomography (n = 182) showed pathological findings in 35.7%. Risk factors for relapses were history of previous AWS (p = 0.013), skull fractures (p = 0.004) at the index AWS, and possibly epileptiform EEG abnormalities (p = 0.07). Benzodiazepines or other ASMs, taken before or after the index event, did not differ between the r-AWS and the nr-AWS group. The mortality rate was 2.9%/year of follow-up, which was 13 times higher compared to the general population. Risk factors for death were history of AWS (p < 0.001) and encephalopathic EEG (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed AWS relapses occur in 11% of patients and are associated with risk factors (previous AWS >24 h apart, skull fractures, and pathological EEG findings) that also increase the epilepsy risk, that is, predisposition for seizures, if not treated. Future prospective studies are mandatory to determine appropriate long-term diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, in order to reduce the risk of relapse and mortality associated with AWS.

Which risk factors significantly influence the outcome of traumatic brain injured patients with alcohol use disorder?

PURPOSE

Every year, approximately 10 million people worldwide suffer a traumatic brain injury that leads to hospitalization or mortality. Chronic and acute alcohol intoxication increase the risk of developing traumatic brain injury. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a predictor of outcome in neurosurgical patients and the definition of risk factors have been sparsely addressed so far. This study aims to improve the understanding of the effects of alcohol use disorder in the context of neurosurgical therapy.

METHODS

This study included patients admitted to Münster University Hospital with a traumatic brain injury and alcohol use disorder from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for a poorer outcome, assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Score.

RESULTS

Of the 197 patients included, 156 (79%) were male, and 41 (21%) were female, with a median age of 49 years (IQR 38-58 years). In multivariate analyses, age (p < 0.001), the occurrence of a new neurologic deficit (p < 0.001), the development of hydrocephalus (p = 0.005), and CT-graphic midline shift due to intracerebral hemorrhage (p = 0.008) emerged as significant predictors of a worse outcome (GOS 1-3). In addition, the level of blood alcohol concentration correlated significantly with the occurrence of seizures (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Early identification of risk factors in patients with alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury is crucial to improve the outcome. In this regard, the occurrence of hydrocephalus or seizures during the inpatient stay should be considered as cause of neurological deterioration in this patient group.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Neuroendoscopic Surgery versus Traditional Craniotomy on Surgical Success Rate, Postoperative Complications, and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

A case-control study was adopted to explore the effect of neuroendoscopy compared with traditional craniotomy on the success rate, postoperative complications, and prognosis of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

METHODS

The clinical data of 106 patients with ICH treated in our hospital from March 2019 to June 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively and divided into two groups according to different treatment methods. The patients who were cured by craniotomy were in the control group (n = 53), and those who received neuroendoscopic surgery were in the research group (n = 53).The clinical efficacy of patients was compared, and the cognition and daily living ability were evaluated by the Trier cognitive assessment scale, limb motor function score, and activity of daily living scale. The National Institutes of Health Stroke scale (NIHSS) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were used to compare the neurological function of the two groups before and after treatment, and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and disability rating scale (DRS) were adopted to evaluate the functional prognosis. The simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function score was adopted to evaluate the patient's limb function, the Montreal cognitive assessment scale was adopted to evaluate the patient's cognitive function, the Barthel index score was adopted to evaluate the daily living ability of patients, and the treatment of patients was recorded.

RESULTS

In comparison with groups, the effective rate of treatment in the research group was higher, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Regarding the surgical indicators, the hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative residual blood flow, and total hospital stay in the research group were remarkably lower, the hematoma clearance rate in the research group was remarkably higher, and the difference between groups was statistically significant(P < 0.05). After operation, the KPS scores indicated a gradual upward trend, and those of the research group were higher at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after operation. The Barthel index scores were compared. After treatment, the Barthel index scores increased. In comparison with the two groups, the Barthel index scores of the research group were higher at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after surgery, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The NIHSS, GCS, and DRS scores were compared. After treatment, the NIHSS, GCS, and DRS scores were decreased. In comparison with the two groups, the NIHSS, GCS, and DRS scores of the research group were remarkably lower, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). With regard to the cognitive and physical function recovery after treatment, the MoCA score and Fugl-Meyer score of the research group were remarkably higher, and the difference between groups was statistically significant(P < 0.05). The quality of life scores was compared. After treatment, the quality of life scores decreased. In comparison with the two groups, the scores of physiological function, psychological function, social function, and healthy self-awareness of the research group were lower, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the research group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with conventional craniotomy, neuroendoscopic surgery can remarkably reduce the operation time and blood loss, enhance the hematoma clearance rate, and have a better prognosis, which is more conducive to the recovery of postoperative neurological function, life activities, and quality of life of patients.

Computed Tomography Images under Artificial Intelligence Algorithms on the Treatment Evaluation of Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Minimally Invasive Aspiration

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of minimally invasive aspiration on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the value of artificial intelligence algorithm combined with computed tomography (CT) image evaluation. Ninety-two patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were divided into experimental group (46 cases, minimally invasive aspiration therapy) and control group (46 cases, traditional craniotomy therapy) according to different treatment methods, and CT image scanning was performed. In addition, a CT image segmentation model of intracerebral hemorrhage based on improved fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm (n-FCM) was proposed to process the CT images of the patients. The results showed that the Dice coefficient of n-FCM algorithm after the addition of salt and pepper noise was 0.89, which was higher than that of traditional algorithm; the average operation time of experimental group was 58.93 ± 5.33 min, which was significantly lower than that of control group (90.21 ± 16.24 min) (P < 0.05); the overall response rate of experimental group was 93.48%, which was significantly higher than that of control group (76.09%) (P < 0.05); one month after operation, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of experimental group was 3.89 ± 1.95 points, and the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) score was 10.67 ± 1.76 points, which was significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0.05); the incidence rate of complications in experimental group was significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). It showed that the n-FCM algorithm was superior to the traditional algorithm in CT image processing, with the advantages of good denoising effect and less running time. Minimally invasive aspiration treatment had the advantages of operation time, convenient operation, and less damage to patients, which was beneficial to postoperative recovery and prognosis of patients.

Effect of Minimally Invasive Puncture Drainage and Conservative Treatment on Prognosis of Patients with Cerebral Hemorrhage

The objective of this study was to explore the effect of minimally invasive puncture drainage under unsupervised learning algorithm and conservative treatment on the prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Fifty patients with cerebral hemorrhage were selected as the research objects. The CT images of patients were segmented by unsupervised learning algorithm, and the application value of unsupervised learning algorithm on CT images of patients with cerebral hemorrhage was evaluated. According to the treatment wishes of the patients themselves and their authorizers, they were divided into 30 patients with cerebral hemorrhage in the minimally invasive group and 20 patients with cerebral hemorrhage in the conservative group. The incidence rate of complications of cerebral hemorrhage, the length of hospitalization of the two groups, hematoma volume at admission, 3 days and 7 days after operation, and the hematoma dissipation rate on the 3rd and 7th day after operation were used as the evaluation index of therapeutic effect. MRS and ADL scores were used as prognostic indicators. The results show that K-means clustering algorithm has high quality and short time for CT image segmentation. The overall incidence rate of complications in minimally invasive group was 10%, lower than that in conservative group (25%) (P < 0.05), and the length of hospitalization in minimally invasive group was longer than that in conservative group (P < 0.05). The hematoma volume of minimally invasive group was 16.5 ± 2.4 mL on the 3rd day after operation, and that of conservative group was 27.4 ± 1.8 mL. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). In addition, CT showed that the hematoma reduction degree of minimally invasive group was higher than that of conservative group, and the hematoma dissipation rate was higher than that of conservative group on the 3rd and 7th day (P < 0.05). The good MRS score in minimally invasive group was 3.15 times that in conservative group, and the good ADL score was 1.6 times that in conservative group, and there was significant difference in the total score between the two groups (P < 0.05). Minimally invasive puncture drainage is better than conservative treatment in the clearance of hematoma, which is conducive to the recovery of neurological function and daily life of patients with cerebral hemorrhage and is of great help to the prognosis of patients.

Alcohol, cardiovascular disease and industry funding: A co-authorship network analysis of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Alcohol's effects on heart health is the site of a major scientific controversy. We conducted a co-authorship network analysis of systematic reviews on the impacts on alcohol on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in order to investigate patterns of co-authorship in the literature, with particular attention given to industry funding.

METHODS

We used Epistemonikos to identify systematic reviews. Review characteristics, influential authors, co-authorship subnetworks, prior histories of alcohol industry funding, study outcomes and citations were investigated.

RESULTS

60 systematic reviews with 231 unique authors met our inclusion criteria. 14 systematic reviews were undertaken by authors with histories of alcohol industry funding, including 5 that were funded directly by the alcohol industry itself. All 14 such reviews identified a cardioprotective effect of alcohol. These formed distinct co-authorship subnetworks within the literature. Of reviews by authors with no prior histories of alcohol industry funding, the findings were mixed, with 54% (25/46) concluding there was evidence of health protective effects. These two groups of reviews differed in other respects. Those with industry funding were more likely to study broader outcomes such as 'cardiovascular disease' or 'coronary heart disease' as opposed to specific CVD issues such as hypertension or stroke (93% [13/14] versus 41% [19/46]) (chi-squared 12.4, p < 0.001) and have more included studies (mean of 29 versus 20). They were also more widely cited by others. Over time the proportions of systematic reviews on CVD and alcohol undertaken by authors with no prior histories of alcohol industry funding has increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic reviews undertaken by authors with histories of alcohol industry funding were more likely to study broader outcomes, and be cited more widely, and exclusively reported favorable conclusions.

The Safety and Efficacy of Desmopressin in Patients With Intracranial Hemorrhage and a History of Alcohol Use

BACKGROUND

Patients with a history of alcohol use disorder are at an increased risk of hematoma expansion following intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) due to the effects of alcohol on platelet aggregation. Desmopressin (DDAVP) improves platelet aggregation and may decrease hematoma expansion in patients with ICH. However, DDAVP may also increase the risk of hyponatremia and thrombotic events. Evidence is limited regarding the safety and efficacy of DDAVP in alcohol use (AU)-associated ICH.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients with radiographic evidence of ICH and a confirmed or suspected history of alcohol use upon admission. Patients were categorized into groups based on DDAVP administration. Safety outcomes included hyponatremia (serum sodium <135 mEq/L or decrease in serum sodium of ≥ 5 mEq/L for patients with baseline sodium <135 mEq/L) within 24 hours of ICH and thrombotic events within 7 days of ICH. The primary efficacy outcome was the incidence of hematoma expansion, defined as any expansion of the hemorrhage noted on repeat imaging within 32 hours.

RESULTS

In total, 52 patients were included in the safety analysis (27 DDAVP and 25 non-DDAVP). Although hyponatremia was numerically higher in the DDAVP group, there was no significant difference between groups (19.2% vs 4.2%, P = 0.192). Thrombotic complications were similar between the DDAVP and non-DDAVP groups (11.1% vs. 8%, P = 1.0). Thirty-nine patients met criteria for hemostatic efficacy analysis. There was no difference in hematoma expansion between the DDAVP and non-DDAVP groups (23.1% vs 34.6%, P = 0.71) and these findings were consistent after adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.1-3.3).

CONCLUSION

The administration of DDAVP was not associated with adverse safety events, but did not significantly reduce the incidence of hematoma expansion in patients with AU-associated ICH.

Clinical nursing pathway improves the nursing satisfaction in patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage: A randomized controlled trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Cerebral hemorrhage (CH) is a very common cerebrovascular disorder in clinical practice. More and more studies reported that proper nursing care could promote the rate of treatment, and improve the prognosis after treatment. Clinical nursing pathway (CNP) refers to original nursing mode with good quality, outstanding efficiency, and low treatment spending. Few articles have reported the effect of CNP in patients with acute CH. The program is in urgent need of convinced evidence to prove the reliability. Thus, we perform this randomized controlled trial protocol and hypothesize that CNP is associated with improved outcomes and nursing satisfaction, reduced adverse reactions in patients with acute CH.

METHOD

It is a single-center randomized controlled study to be conducted from October 2020 to October 2021. It was admitted via the Ethics Committee of the West China Hospital of Sichuan University (0038842/121). Eighty patients meet diagnostic standards for CH are included. The study group receives the clinical nursing path model. In the control group, patients receive the routine care before and after taking to the hospital. The main outcome contains the Barthel index score, the patient's degree of satisfaction about care, the length of hospital stay, and the risk of complications such as infection, bedsores and gastrointestinal function between the 2 groups. Six months after admission, the functional independence measure and Fugl Meyer score are recorded. All data are analyzed by the IBM SPSS Statistics, version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY edition).

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the clinical outcomes between groups.

CONCLUSION

CNP may improve the clinical outcomes for patients with acute CH and have a significant value in actual applications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

researchregistry6061.