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Andreasen TH, Madsen FA, Barbateskovic M, Lindschou J, Gluud C, Møller K. Ketamine for Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Brain Injury: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Neurocrit Care 2024:10.1007/s12028-024-02075-2. [PMID: 39085508 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-024-02075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with severe acute brain injury have a high risk of a poor clinical outcome due to primary and secondary brain injury. Ketamine reportedly inhibits cortical spreading depolarization, an electrophysiological phenomenon that has been associated with secondary brain injury, making ketamine potentially attractive for patients with severe acute brain injury. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the current literature regarding ketamine for patients with severe acute brain injury. METHODS We systematically searched international databases for randomized clinical trials comparing ketamine by any regimen versus placebo, no intervention, or any control drug for patients with severe acute brain injury. Two authors independently reviewed and selected trials for inclusion, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and performed analysis using Review Manager and Trial Sequential Analysis. Evidence certainty was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. The primary outcomes were the proportion of participants with an unfavorable functional outcome, the proportion of participants with one or more serious adverse events, and quality of life. RESULTS We identified five randomized trials comparing ketamine versus sufentanil, fentanyl, other sedatives, or saline (total N = 149 participants). All outcomes were at overall high risk of bias. The proportions of participants with one or more serious adverse events did not differ between ketamine and sufentanil or fentanyl (relative risk 1.45, 95% confidence interval 0.81-2.58; very low certainty). Trial sequential analysis showed that further trials are needed. CONCLUSIONS The level of evidence regarding the effects of ketamine on functional outcome and serious adverse events in patients with severe acute brain injury is very low. Ketamine may markedly, modestly, or not at all affect these outcomes. Large randomized clinical trials at low risk of bias are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trine Hjorslev Andreasen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Frederik Andreas Madsen
- Department of Neuroanaesthesiology, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marija Barbateskovic
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jane Lindschou
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Gluud
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Møller
- Department of Neuroanaesthesiology, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Raj R, Moser A, Starkopf J, Reinikainen M, Varpula T, Jakob SM, Takala J. Variation in Severity-Adjusted Resource use and Outcome for Neurosurgical Emergencies in the Intensive Care Unit. Neurocrit Care 2024; 40:251-261. [PMID: 37100975 PMCID: PMC10861740 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-023-01723-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The correlation between the standardized resource use ratio (SRUR) and standardized hospital mortality ratio (SMR) for neurosurgical emergencies is not known. We studied SRUR and SMR and the factors affecting these in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS We extracted data of patients treated in six university hospitals in three countries (2015-2017). Resource use was measured as SRUR based on purchasing power parity-adjusted direct costs and either intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (costSRURlength of stay) or daily Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores (costSRURTherapeutic Intervention Scoring System). Five a priori defined variables reflecting differences in structure and organization between the ICUs were used as explanatory variables in bivariable models, separately for the included neurosurgical diseases. RESULTS Out of 28,363 emergency patients treated in six ICUs, 6,162 patients (22%) were admitted with a neurosurgical emergency (41% nontraumatic ICH, 23% SAH, 13% multitrauma TBI, and 23% isolated TBI). The mean costs for neurosurgical admissions were higher than for nonneurosurgical admissions, and the neurosurgical admissions corresponded to 23.6-26.0% of all direct costs related to ICU emergency admissions. A higher physician-to-bed ratio was associated with lower SMRs in the nonneurosurgical admissions but not in the neurosurgical admissions. In patients with nontraumatic ICH, lower costSRURs were associated with higher SMRs. In the bivariable models, independent organization of an ICU was associated with lower costSRURs in patients with nontraumatic ICH and isolated/multitrauma TBI but with higher SMRs in patients with nontraumatic ICH. A higher physician-to-bed ratio was associated with higher costSRURs for patients with SAH. Larger units had higher SMRs for patients with nontraumatic ICH and isolated TBI. None of the ICU-related factors were associated with costSRURs in nonneurosurgical emergency admissions. CONCLUSIONS Neurosurgical emergencies constitute a major proportion of all emergency ICU admissions. A lower SRUR was associated with higher SMR in patients with nontraumatic ICH but not for the other diagnoses. Different organizational and structural factors seemed to affect resource use for the neurosurgical patients compared with nonneurosurgical patients. This emphasizes the importance of case-mix adjustment when benchmarking resource use and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Raj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - André Moser
- CTU Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joel Starkopf
- Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Clinic, University of Tartu and Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Matti Reinikainen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tero Varpula
- Division of Intensive Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stephan M Jakob
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jukka Takala
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Madsen FA, Andreasen TH, Lindschou J, Gluud C, Møller K. Ketamine for critically ill patients with severe acute brain injury: Protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of randomised clinical trials. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259899. [PMID: 34780543 PMCID: PMC8592463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intensive care for patients with severe acute brain injury aims both to treat the immediate consequences of the injury and to prevent and treat secondary brain injury to ensure a good functional outcome. Sedation may be used to facilitate mechanical ventilation, for treating agitation, and for controlling intracranial pressure. Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist with sedative, analgesic, and potentially neuroprotective properties. We describe a protocol for a systematic review of randomised clinical trials assessing the beneficial and harmful effects of ketamine for patients with severe acute brain injury. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will systematically search international databases for randomised clinical trials, including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and trial registries. Two authors will independently review and select trials for inclusion, and extract data. We will compare ketamine by any regimen versus placebo, no intervention, or other sedatives or analgesics for patients with severe acute brain injury. The primary outcomes will be functional outcome at maximal follow up, quality of life, and serious adverse events. We will also assess secondary and exploratory outcomes. The extracted data will be analysed using Review Manager and Trials Sequential Analysis. Evidence certainty will be graded using GRADE. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The results of the systematic review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. With the review, we hope to inform future randomised clinical trials and improve clinical practice. PROSPERO NO CRD42021210447.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Andreas Madsen
- Department of Neuroanaesthesiology, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trine Hjorslev Andreasen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jane Lindschou
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Gluud
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Møller
- Department of Neuroanaesthesiology, Neuroscience Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wada T, Yasunaga H, Doi K, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Kitsuta Y, Nakajima S. Relationship between hospital volume and outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury: A retrospective observational study using a national inpatient database in Japan. Injury 2017; 48:1423-1431. [PMID: 28511965 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between hospital volume and outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not completely understood in a real clinical setting. We investigated whether patients admitted with TBI achieved better outcomes in high-volume hospitals than in low-volume hospitals using a national inpatient database in Japan. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used the Diagnosis Combination Procedure database in Japan. We included patients with TBI admitted to hospitals with a Japan Coma Scale (JCS) score ≥2 between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. Hospital volume was defined as the annual number of all admissions with TBI in individual hospitals. The hospital volume was categorized into four volume groups: low (≤60 admissions per hospital), medium-low (61-120 admissions per hospital), medium-high (121-180 admissions per hospital) and high (≥181 admissions per hospital). The outcomes of interest included 28-day mortality and survival discharge with complete dependency defined as a Barthel Index score of 0 at discharge. We used multivariate logistic regression models fitted with generalized estimating equations to evaluate relationships between the hospital volume and the outcomes. The hospital volume was evaluated both as categorical variables defined above and as continuous variables. RESULTS The analysis dataset consisted of 20,146 eligible patients. Of these, 2,784 died within 28days (13.8%) and 3,409 were completely dependent among 16,996 patients discharged alive (20.1%). Multivariate analyses found that there was no significant difference between the high-volume and low-volume groups for 28-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-1.06 for the high-volume group) or complete dependency at discharge (adjusted OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.71-1.23 for the high-volume group). The results were the same when the hospital volume was evaluated as a continuous variable. CONCLUSIONS Hospital volume did not appear to influence outcomes in patients with TBI. High-volume hospitals may not be necessarily beneficial for patients with TBI exhibiting impaired consciousness as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Wada
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hideo Yasunaga
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kent Doi
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Matsui
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyohide Fushimi
- Department of Health Policy and Informatics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kitsuta
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susumu Nakajima
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Grieve R, Sadique Z, Gomes M, Smith M, Lecky FE, Hutchinson PJA, Menon DK, Rowan KM, Harrison DA. An evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of alternative care locations for critically ill adult patients with acute traumatic brain injury. Br J Neurosurg 2016; 30:388-96. [PMID: 27188663 DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2016.1161166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For critically ill adult patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), we assessed the clinical and cost-effectiveness of: (a) Management in dedicated neurocritical care units versus combined neuro/general critical care units within neuroscience centres. (b) 'Early' transfer to a neuroscience centre versus 'no or late' transfer for those who present at a non-neuroscience centre. METHODS The Risk Adjustment In Neurocritical care (RAIN) Study included prospective admissions following acute TBI to 67 UK adult critical care units during 2009-11. Data were collected on baseline case-mix, mortality, resource use, and at six months, Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE), and quality of life (QOL) (EuroQol 5D-3L). We report incremental effectiveness, costs and cost per Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) of the alternative care locations, adjusting for baseline differences with validated risk prediction models. We tested the robustness of results in sensitivity analyses. FINDINGS Dedicated neurocritical care unit patients (N = 1324) had similar six-month mortality, higher QOL (mean gain 0.048, 95% CI -0.002 to 0.099) and increased average costs compared with those managed in combined neuro/general units (N = 1341), with a lifetime cost per QALY gained of £14,000. 'Early' transfer to a neuroscience centre (N = 584) was associated with lower mortality (odds ratio 0.52, 0.34-0.80), higher QOL for survivors (mean gain 0.13, 0.032-0.225), but positive incremental costs (£15,001, £11,123 to £18,880) compared with 'late or no transfer' (N = 263). The lifetime cost per QALY gained for 'early' transfer was £11,000. CONCLUSIONS For critically ill adult patients with acute TBI, within neuroscience centres management in dedicated neurocritical care units versus combined neuro/general units led to improved QoL and higher costs, on average, but these differences were not statistically significant. This study finds that 'early' transfer to a neuroscience centre is associated with reduced mortality, improvement in QOL and is cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Grieve
- a Department of Health Services Research and Policy , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
| | - Z Sadique
- a Department of Health Services Research and Policy , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
| | - M Gomes
- a Department of Health Services Research and Policy , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
| | - M Smith
- b National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , London , UK
| | - F E Lecky
- c School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield , Sheffield , UK
| | - P J A Hutchinson
- d School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK
| | - D K Menon
- d School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK
| | - K M Rowan
- e Clinical Trials Unit, Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre , London , UK
| | - D A Harrison
- e Clinical Trials Unit, Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre , London , UK
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Ashkenazi I, Zeina AR, Kessel B, Peleg K, Givon A, Khashan T, Dudkiewicz M, Oren M, Alfici R, Olsha O. Effect of teleradiology upon pattern of transfer of head injured patients from a rural general hospital to a neurosurgical referral centre: follow-up study. Emerg Med J 2015; 32:946-50. [PMID: 26446312 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2014-203930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Xenon improves neurologic outcome and reduces secondary injury following trauma in an in vivo model of traumatic brain injury. Crit Care Med 2015; 43:149-158. [PMID: 25188549 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000000624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the neuroprotective efficacy of the inert gas xenon following traumatic brain injury and to determine whether application of xenon has a clinically relevant therapeutic time window. DESIGN Controlled animal study. SETTING University research laboratory. SUBJECTS Male C57BL/6N mice (n = 196). INTERVENTIONS Seventy-five percent xenon, 50% xenon, or 30% xenon, with 25% oxygen (balance nitrogen) treatment following mechanical brain lesion by controlled cortical impact. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Outcome following trauma was measured using 1) functional neurologic outcome score, 2) histological measurement of contusion volume, and 3) analysis of locomotor function and gait. Our study shows that xenon treatment improves outcome following traumatic brain injury. Neurologic outcome scores were significantly (p < 0.05) better in xenon-treated groups in the early phase (24 hr) and up to 4 days after injury. Contusion volume was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the xenon-treated groups. Xenon treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced contusion volume when xenon was given 15 minutes after injury or when treatment was delayed 1 or 3 hours after injury. Neurologic outcome was significantly (p < 0.05) improved when xenon treatment was given 15 minutes or 1 hour after injury. Improvements in locomotor function (p < 0.05) were observed in the xenon-treated group, 1 month after trauma. CONCLUSIONS These results show for the first time that xenon improves neurologic outcome and reduces contusion volume following traumatic brain injury in mice. In this model, xenon application has a therapeutic time window of up to at least 3 hours. These findings support the idea that xenon may be of benefit as a neuroprotective treatment in patients with brain trauma.
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Botting MJ, Phan N, Rubenfeld GD, Speke AK, Chapman MG. Using barriers analysis to refine a novel model of neurocritical care. Neurocrit Care 2015; 20:5-14. [PMID: 24101105 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-013-9905-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to deliver specialized neurocritical care (NCC) without a dedicated neurological intensive care unit (ICU), we established a virtual NCC unit within an existing mixed level III ICU. This initiative required changes to patient allocation, physician staffing, and care protocols. In advance of its implementation, we gaged readiness, assessed barriers, and solicited feedback from staff. METHODS Clinicians at our academic hospital and trauma centre in Toronto, Ontario were the subjects of this concurrent mixed methods study. Eighteen stakeholders were individually interviewed. 116 of 217 eligible ICU staff participated in the survey and 36 staff attended the focus group sessions. RESULTS From the survey, the most significant barriers to this reorganization were staff anxiety about coping (28 %) and a concern that patients would not receive better care (24 %). Noteworthy obstacles about the use of protocols were their lack of flexibility (19 %) and that implementation was seen as impractical (16 %). Seventeen barriers were proposed through an open-ended survey question. Content analysis revealed general resistance, educational challenges, workflow adjustment to a diagnosis-based rounding pattern and coordination conflicts to be the central barriers. These findings were confirmed in focus group discussions, with a lack of resources as an additional important challenge. CONCLUSIONS A new workable model for NCC has been developed, facilitated by this analysis. Steps to overcome barriers demonstrated in this study include additional educational measures, changes to the rounding protocols, and patient allocation algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne J Botting
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Room D108, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N3M5, Canada
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Fuller G. The Optimum Location of Care for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Admitted to Non-Specialist Hospitals. J Intensive Care Soc 2014. [DOI: 10.1177/175114371401500217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Early secondary transfer and specialist care may offer a survival benefit for head injury patients with non-surgical lesions initially admitted to non-specialist intensive care units. However, results must be interpreted with caution due to a high risk of bias. Level of evidence: 1B−, an individual cohort study with wide confidence intervals
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Fuller
- NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield
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Fuller G, Pallot D, Coats T, Lecky F. The effectiveness of specialist neuroscience care in severe traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. Br J Neurosurg 2013; 28:452-60. [PMID: 24313333 DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2013.865708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND UK trauma services are currently undergoing reconfiguration, but the optimum management pathway for head-injured patients is uncertain. We therefore performed a systematic review to assess the effects of routine inter-hospital transfer and specialist neuroscience care on mortality and disability in patients with non-surgical severe traumatic brain injury injured nearest to a non-specialist acute hospital. METHODS A protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42012002021) and review methodology followed Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. A peer reviewed search strategy was implemented in an exhaustive range of information sources, including all major bibliographic databases, between 1973 and July 2013. Selection of eligible studies, extraction of relevant data and bias assessment were then performed by two independent reviewers. In the absence of homogeneous effect estimates at low risk of bias a narrative synthesis was pre-specified. RESULTS Four cohort studies, including a total of 4688 patients, were identified as potentially eligible after screening and bias assessment. Confounding by indication, arising from selective transfer of less severely injured patients, was the main limitation of included studies, with overall risk of bias rated as high for both mortality and disability effect estimates. Adjusted odds ratios for mortality favoured secondary transfer, ranging from 1.92 (95% CI 1.25-2.95) to 2.09 (95% CI 1.59-2.74). No convincing association was observed between non-specialist care and unfavourable outcome with a conditional odds ratio of 1.13 (95% CI 0.36-3.6). CONCLUSIONS There is limited evidence supporting a strategy of secondary transfer of severe non-surgical traumatic brain injury patients to specialist neuroscience centres. Randomised controlled trials powered to detect clinically plausible treatment effects should be considered to definitively investigate effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Fuller
- Emergency Medicine Research in Sheffield, Health Services Research Section, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield , Sheffield , UK
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Kirkman MA, Smith M. Intracranial pressure monitoring, cerebral perfusion pressure estimation, and ICP/CPP-guided therapy: a standard of care or optional extra after brain injury? Br J Anaesth 2013; 112:35-46. [PMID: 24293327 DOI: 10.1093/bja/aet418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) is used to derive cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and to guide targeted therapy of acute brain injury (ABI) during neurointensive care. Here we provide a narrative review of the evidence for ICP monitoring, CPP estimation, and ICP/CPP-guided therapy after ABI. Despite its widespread use, there is currently no class I evidence that ICP/CPP-guided therapy for any cerebral pathology improves outcomes; indeed some evidence suggests that it makes no difference, and some that it may worsen outcomes. Similarly, no class I evidence can currently advise the ideal CPP for any form of ABI. 'Optimal' CPP is likely patient-, time-, and pathology-specific. Further, CPP estimation requires correct referencing (at the level of the foramen of Monro as opposed to the level of the heart) for MAP measurement to avoid CPP over-estimation and adverse patient outcomes. Evidence is emerging for the role of other monitors of cerebral well-being that enable the clinician to employ an individualized multimodality monitoring approach in patients with ABI, and these are briefly reviewed. While acknowledging difficulties in conducting robust prospective randomized studies in this area, such high-quality evidence for the utility of ICP/CPP-directed therapy in ABI is urgently required. So, too, is the wider adoption of multimodality neuromonitoring to guide optimal management of ICP and CPP, and a greater understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of the different forms of ABI and what exactly the different monitoring tools used actually represent.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Kirkman
- Neurocritical Care Unit, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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Rasul FT, Pereira EAC, Waldmann C, Bojanic S. Effective management of severe traumatic brain injury in a district hospital. Br J Neurosurg 2012; 26:736-42. [PMID: 22612267 DOI: 10.3109/02688697.2012.690909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The authors investigated how effectively adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be managed in a district general hospital intensive care unit offering intracranial pressure monitoring (ICPM) receiving advice from a neurosurgical unit. A single-centre case series with retrospective review of prospectively collected information was undertaken of 44 consecutive patients presenting over seven years from January 2003 to January 2010 with severe traumatic brain injury to a single district general hospital intensive care unit serving a population of 500,000 adults. A prospectively entered clinical database was used to obtain information including patient demographics, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) on admission, ICPM insertion, ICPM-related complications, inpatient mortality and neurosurgical advice. Case notes were used to ratify information and obtain neurorehabilitation clinic functional outcome scores. Forty-four patients were identified (40 male, age range 16-77 years). Mortality in intensive care was 30%. Twenty-eight patients received frontal twist drill ICPM following neurosurgical advice. ICPM had 2 (7%) device malfunctions but no other complications. Twelve additional patients were transferred to tertiary centres. Patients (23 of 31) who survived ICU stay (74%) were referred to neurorehabilitation. Mean clinic follow-up was 14 months. All patients had a Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) of 3 or 4 at initial clinic assessment. Twenty-two improved to GOS to 4 or 5 at clinic discharge. One patient died prior to clinic discharge. Carefully selected patients with severe TBI can be managed safely and effectively in a district general hospital offering ICPM insertion if transfer to a neurosurgical centre is not possible. Neurosurgical advice regarding patient selection and on-going management is fundamental to provide a good service. Protocol driven therapies provide a useful systematic approach to doctors who do not deal with severe TBI on a routine basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahid Tariq Rasul
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK.
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