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Kim KT, Kwon DH, Jeon JC, Kim IC, Park JA, Seo JG. A multicenter study of altered level of consciousness in the emergency room. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:2329-2337. [PMID: 36131181 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03104-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
New-onset altered level of consciousness (ALC) is a challenge in real-world clinical practice. Although its presentation is nonspecific and its etiology is intricate, the term ALC is frequently used in the emergency room (ER). This study aimed to clarify and classify the etiologies and outcomes of the ALC in the ER. We retrospectively investigated ALC patients in the ER of four tertiary referral centers from February 2018 to January 2020. The etiology of ALC was comprehensively analyzed by a consortium of university professors, board-certified clinicians in neurology, emergency medicine, or internal medicine. The time point to determine the etiology of ALC was at the time of discharge from the ER. A total of 315,526 patients who visited ER due to ALC were reviewed and found 7988 eligible patients, of which 4298 (53.8%) were male and 5282 (66.1%) were older than 60. The overall mortality was 13.5%. Except undetermined, the 9 etiologies (n = 7552) were categorized into extra- (n = 4768, 63.1%) or intracranial etiology (n = 2784, 36.9%). The most common etiology of ALC in the ER was metabolic cause (n = 1972, 24.7%), followed by systemic infection (n = 1378, 17.3%). The majority of ALC in the ER was derived from extracranial etiology. ALC in the ER is a neurological manifestation of diverse etiologies; not all can be confirmed in the ER. Not only neurological but also critical systemic illnesses should be considered to assess the protean manifestations of ALC in the ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keun Tae Kim
- Department of Neurology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Doo Hyuk Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jae Cheon Jeon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - In-Cheol Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jung A Park
- Department of Neurology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jong-Geun Seo
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
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Frontera JA, Boutajangout A, Masurkar AV, Betensky RA, Ge Y, Vedvyas A, Debure L, Moreira A, Lewis A, Huang J, Thawani S, Balcer L, Galetta S, Wisniewski T. Comparison of serum neurodegenerative biomarkers among hospitalized COVID-19 patients versus non-COVID subjects with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's dementia. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 18:899-910. [PMID: 35023610 PMCID: PMC9011610 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurological complications among hospitalized COVID-19 patients may be associated with elevated neurodegenerative biomarkers. METHODS Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients without a history of dementia (N = 251), we compared serum total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau-181 (p-tau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NfL), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), and amyloid beta (Aβ40,42) between patients with or without encephalopathy, in-hospital death versus survival, and discharge home versus other dispositions. COVID-19 patient biomarker levels were also compared to non-COVID cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia controls (N = 161). RESULTS Admission t-tau, p-tau181, GFAP, and NfL were significantly elevated in patients with encephalopathy and in those who died in-hospital, while t-tau, GFAP, and NfL were significantly lower in those discharged home. These markers correlated with severity of COVID illness. NfL, GFAP, and UCHL1 were higher in COVID patients than in non-COVID controls with MCI or AD. DISCUSSION Neurodegenerative biomarkers were elevated to levels observed in AD dementia and associated with encephalopathy and worse outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yulin Ge
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Alok Vedvyas
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ludovic Debure
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Andre Moreira
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ariane Lewis
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Joshua Huang
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Sujata Thawani
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Laura Balcer
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Steven Galetta
- New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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3
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Ligtenstein S, Song J, Jin J, Sun H, Paixao L, Zafar S, Westover MB. Do Triphasic Waves and Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus Arise From Similar Mechanisms? A Computational Model. J Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 38:366-375. [PMID: 34155185 PMCID: PMC8429048 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Triphasic waves arising in patients with toxic metabolic encephalopathy (TME) are often considered different from generalized periodic discharges (GPDs) in patients with generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus (GNCSE). The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether a common mechanism can explain key aspects of both triphasic waves in TME and GPDs in GNCSE. METHOD A neural mass model was used for the simulation of EEG patterns in patients with acute hepatic encephalopathy, a common etiology of TME. Increased neuronal excitability and impaired synaptic transmission because of elevated ammonia levels in acute hepatic encephalopathy patients were used to explain how triphasic waves and GNCSE arise. The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic drugs on epileptiform activity, simulated with a prolonged duration of the inhibitory postsynaptic potential, was also studied. RESULTS The simulations show that a model that includes increased neuronal excitability and impaired synaptic transmission can account for both the emergence of GPDs and GNCSE and their suppression by gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic drugs. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study add to evidence from other studies calling into question the dichotomy between triphasic waves in TME and GPDs in GNCSE and support the hypothesis that all GPDs, including those arising in TME patients, occur via a common mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Ligtenstein
- Department of Technical Medicine, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Twente
| | | | - Jin Jin
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
| | - Haoqi Sun
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
| | - Luis Paixao
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
| | - Sahar Zafar
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
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Swain O, Romano SK, Miryala R, Tsai J, Parikh V, Umanah GKE. SARS-CoV-2 Neuronal Invasion and Complications: Potential Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5338-5349. [PMID: 34162747 PMCID: PMC8221594 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3188-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical reports suggest that the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) has not only taken millions of lives, but has also created a major crisis of neurologic complications that persist even after recovery from the disease. Autopsies of patients confirm the presence of the coronaviruses in the CNS, especially in the brain. The invasion and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the CNS is not clearly defined, but, because the endocytic pathway has become an important target for the development of therapeutic strategies for COVID-19, it is necessary to understand endocytic processes in the CNS. In addition, mitochondria and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways play a critical role in the antiviral immune response, and may also be critical for endocytic activity. Furthermore, dysfunctions of mitochondria and mTOR signaling pathways have been associated with some high-risk conditions such as diabetes and immunodeficiency for developing severe complications observed in COVID-19 patients. However, the role of these pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infection and spread are largely unknown. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry into the CNS and how mitochondria and mTOR pathways might regulate endocytic vesicle-mitochondria interactions and dynamics during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mechanisms that plausibly account for severe neurologic complications with COVID-19 and potential treatments with Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs targeting mitochondria and the mTOR pathways are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Swain
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Sofia K Romano
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Ritika Miryala
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Jocelyn Tsai
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Vinnie Parikh
- Neuroscience Department, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - George K E Umanah
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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Frontera JA, Melmed K, Fang T, Granger A, Lin J, Yaghi S, Zhou T, Lewis A, Kurz S, Kahn DE, de Havenon A, Huang J, Czeisler BM, Lord A, Meropol SB, Troxel AB, Wisniewski T, Balcer L, Galetta S. Toxic Metabolic Encephalopathy in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19. Neurocrit Care 2021; 35:693-706. [PMID: 33725290 PMCID: PMC7962078 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-021-01220-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Toxic metabolic encephalopathy (TME) has been reported in 7–31% of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, some reports include sedation-related delirium and few data exist on the etiology of TME. We aimed to identify the prevalence, etiologies, and mortality rates associated with TME in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study among patients with reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized at four New York City hospitals in the same health network between March 1, 2020, and May 20, 2020. TME was diagnosed in patients with altered mental status off sedation or after an adequate sedation washout. Patients with structural brain disease, seizures, or primary neurological diagnoses were excluded. The coprimary outcomes were the prevalence of TME stratified by etiology and in-hospital mortality (excluding comfort care only patients) assessed by using a multivariable time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for age, race, sex, intubation, intensive care unit requirement, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, hospital location, and date of admission. Results Among 4491 patients with COVID-19, 559 (12%) were diagnosed with TME, of whom 435 of 559 (78%) developed encephalopathy immediately prior to hospital admission. The most common etiologies were septic encephalopathy (n = 247 of 559 [62%]), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (n = 331 of 559 [59%]), and uremia (n = 156 of 559 [28%]). Multiple etiologies were present in 435 (78%) patients. Compared with those without TME (n = 3932), patients with TME were older (76 vs. 62 years), had dementia (27% vs. 3%) or psychiatric history (20% vs. 10%), were more often intubated (37% vs. 20%), had a longer hospital length of stay (7.9 vs. 6.0 days), and were less often discharged home (25% vs. 66% [all P < 0.001]). Excluding comfort care patients (n = 267 of 4491 [6%]) and after adjustment for confounders, TME remained associated with increased risk of in-hospital death (n = 128 of 425 [30%] patients with TME died, compared with n = 600 of 3799 [16%] patients without TME; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.52, P = 0.031), and TME due to hypoxemia conferred the highest risk (n = 97 of 233 [42%] patients with HIE died, compared with n = 631 of 3991 [16%] patients without HIE; aHR 1.56, 95% CI 1.21–2.00, P = 0.001). Conclusions TME occurred in one in eight hospitalized patients with COVID-19, was typically multifactorial, and was most often due to hypoxemia, sepsis, and uremia. After we adjustment for confounding factors, TME was associated with a 24% increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12028-021-01220-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Frontera
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Kara Melmed
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Taolin Fang
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andre Granger
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Lin
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shadi Yaghi
- Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ting Zhou
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ariane Lewis
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian Kurz
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - D Ethan Kahn
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adam de Havenon
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Joshua Huang
- New York University Langone Hospitals, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barry M Czeisler
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aaron Lord
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sharon B Meropol
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea B Troxel
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Balcer
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven Galetta
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Zubair AS, McAlpine LS, Gardin T, Farhadian S, Kuruvilla DE, Spudich S. Neuropathogenesis and Neurologic Manifestations of the Coronaviruses in the Age of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Review. JAMA Neurol 2020; 77:1018-1027. [PMID: 32469387 PMCID: PMC7484225 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.2065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 615] [Impact Index Per Article: 153.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Importance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019, causing human coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has now spread into a worldwide pandemic. The pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 have been well described in the literature. Two similar human coronaviruses that cause Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) are known to cause disease in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Emerging evidence suggests COVID-19 has neurologic consequences as well. Observations This review serves to summarize available information regarding coronaviruses in the nervous system, identify the potential tissue targets and routes of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the central nervous system, and describe the range of clinical neurological complications that have been reported thus far in COVID-19 and their potential pathogenesis. Viral neuroinvasion may be achieved by several routes, including transsynaptic transfer across infected neurons, entry via the olfactory nerve, infection of vascular endothelium, or leukocyte migration across the blood-brain barrier. The most common neurologic complaints in COVID-19 are anosmia, ageusia, and headache, but other diseases, such as stroke, impairment of consciousness, seizure, and encephalopathy, have also been reported. Conclusions and Relevance Recognition and understanding of the range of neurological disorders associated with COVID-19 may lead to improved clinical outcomes and better treatment algorithms. Further neuropathological studies will be crucial to understanding the pathogenesis of the disease in the central nervous system, and longitudinal neurologic and cognitive assessment of individuals after recovery from COVID-19 will be crucial to understand the natural history of COVID-19 in the central nervous system and monitor for any long-term neurologic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeel S Zubair
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Lindsay S McAlpine
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Tova Gardin
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Shelli Farhadian
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Division of Neurological Infections and Global Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Deena E Kuruvilla
- Division of Headache and Facial Pain, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Serena Spudich
- Division of Neurological Infections and Global Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Sharma M, Anjum H, Bulathsinghala CP, De Silva PR, Surani S. An Intriguing Case of Acute Encephalopathy: Lesson Learned from a Constipated Man. Cureus 2020; 12:e6678. [PMID: 32104618 PMCID: PMC7026865 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperammonemia is a common cause of encephalopathy encountered in an intensive care unit (ICU). Absence of pre-existing liver disease may misguide a clinician and cases of non-cirrhotic hyperammonemia may be missed in ICU leading to life-threatening outcomes such as cerebral edema and herniation. A critical care physician must look beyond liver cirrhosis as a cause of hyperammonemia so that infrequent but potentially reversible causes of encephalopathy are not missed, and patient treatment is not jeopardized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munish Sharma
- Internal Medicine, Corpus Christi Medical Center, Corpus Christi, USA
| | - Humayun Anjum
- Pulmonary/Critical Care, Corpus Christi Medical Center, Corpus Christi, USA
| | | | | | - Salim Surani
- Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, USA
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Management of antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis in adults and children: literature review and consensus-based practical recommendations. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:2017-2030. [PMID: 31161339 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03930-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune encephalitis associated with antibodies against neuronal surface targets (NSAE) are rare but still underrecognized conditions that affect adult and pediatric patients. Clinical guidelines have recently been published with the aim of providing diagnostic clues regardless of antibody status. These syndromes are potentially treatable but the choice of treatment and its timing, as well as differential diagnoses, long-term management, and clinical and paraclinical follow-up, remain major challenges. In the absence of evidence-based guidelines, management of these conditions is commonly based on single-center expertise.Taking into account different published expert recommendations in addition to the multicenter experience of the Italian Working Group on Autoimmune Encephalitis, both widely accepted and critical aspects of diagnosis, management and particularly of immunotherapy for NSAE have been reviewed and are discussed.Finally, we provide consensus-based practical advice for managing hospitalization and follow-up of patients with NSAE.
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Abstract
Complications involving the central and peripheral nervous system are frequently encountered in critically ill patients. All components of the neuraxis can be involved including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, and muscles. Neurologic complications adversely impact outcome and length of stay. These complications can be related to underlying critical illness, pre-existing comorbid conditions, and commonly used and life-saving procedures and medications. Familiarity with the myriad neurologic complications that occur in the intensive care unit can facilitate their timely recognition and treatment. Additionally, awareness of treatment-related neurologic complications may inform decision-making, mitigate risk, and improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clio Rubinos
- Department of Neurology, Loyola University Chicago-Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Sean Ruland
- Department of Neurology, Loyola University Chicago-Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
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Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Hepatic encephalopathy management varies depending on the acuity of liver failure. However, in patients with either acute or chronic liver failure five basic steps in management are critical: stabilization, addressing modifiable precipitating factors, lowering blood ammonia, managing elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) (if present), and managing complications of liver failure that can contribute to encephalopathy, particularly hyponatremia. Because liver failure patients are prone to a variety of other medical problems that can lead to encephalopathy (such as coagulopathy associated intracranial hemorrhage, electrolyte disarray, renal failure, hypotension, hypoglycemia, and infection), a thorough history, physical and neurologic examination is mandated in all encephalopathic liver failure patients. There should be a low threshold for brain imaging in patients with focal neurological deficits given the propensity for spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. In patients with acute liver failure and high grade encephalopathy, identification of the etiology of acute liver failure is essential to guide treatment and antidote administration, particularly in the case of acetaminophen poisoning. Equally critical is management of elevated ICP in acute liver failure. Intracranial hypertension can be treated with hypertonic saline and/or adjustment of the dialysis bath. Placement of an intracranial monitor to guide ICP therapy is risky because of concomitant coagulopathy and remains controversial. Continuous renal replacement therapy may help lower serum ammonia, treat coexisting uremia, and improve symptoms. Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for patients with acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy. In patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose and rifaxamin remain a mainstay of therapy. In these patients, it is essential to identify reversible causes of hepatic encephalopathy such as increased ammonia production and/or decreased clearance (eg, infection, GI bleed, constipation, hypokalemia, dehydration). Chronic hyponatremia should be managed by gradual sodium correction of no more than 8‒12 meq/L per day to avoid central myelinolysis syndrome. Free water restriction and increased dietary sodium are reasonable, cost effective treatment options. Many emerging therapies, both pharmacologic and interventional, are currently being studied to improve management of hepatic encephalopathy.
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Abstract
Every year, more cases of sepsis appear in intensive care units. The most frequent complication of sepsis is septic encephalopathy (SE), which is also the essential determinant of mortality. Despite many years of research, it still is not known at which stage of sepsis the first signs of SE appear; however, it is considered the most frequent form of encephalopathy. Patients have dysfunction of cognitive abilities and consciousness, and sometimes even epileptic seizures. Despite intensive treatment, the effects of SE remain for many years and constitute an important social problem. Numerous studies indicate that changes in the brain involve free radicals, nitric oxide, increased synthesis of inflammatory factors, disturbances in cerebral circulation, microthromboses, and ischemia, which cause considerable neuronal destruction in different areas of the brain. To determine at what point during sepsis the first signs of SE appear, different experimental models are needed to detect the aforementioned changes and to select the proper therapy for this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Ziaja
- Department of Histology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
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