[Anesthesiological management in endovascular stroke treatment]

Early recanalization of the closed cerebral arteries after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the only treatment to minimize long-term disability and to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. For a long time the only proven causal treatment of AIS was intravenous thrombolysis; however, after the publication of a series of randomized prospective studies concerning endovascular mechanical thrombectomy using stent retriever systems after AIS, new guidelines were published. It was found that endovascular treatment (EVT) dramatically improves the outcome of eligible patients. The stent retriever enables high recanalization rates by clot removal from the cerebral arterial system by means of aspiration of the thrombus via the catheter and/or by entrapping it with a stent system. The management of anesthesia during the procedure is indispensable to prevent hypoxia and hemodynamic instability; however, which form of anesthesia (i.e. general anesthesia vs. conscious sedation) is advantageous for the patient during EVT is controversially discussed. In the first studies using retrospective data conscious sedation resulted in a better outcome compared to general anesthesia following EVT; however, in prospective studies this finding could not be confirmed. To obtain optimal neurological results after AIS and EVT with general anesthesia, it is of tremendous importance not to delay the EVT due to the anesthesiology procedure. Furthermore, hypotension, hypovolemia and hypocapnia should also be strictly avoided. Finally, the optimal anesthesiological approach should be guided by the current clinical state and pre-existing comorbidities of the patient.

Fatal intracerebral hemorrhage due to leptospirosis

Intracerebral hemorrhage in leptospirosis is a rare event. We report on a fatal case of intracerebral hemorrhage complicating leptospirosis in a 47-year-old sewage drain worker. Since substantial thrombocytopenia was observed during the course of the disease, postmortem autopsy was performed to further elucidate the genesis of platelet destruction. Due to immunohistological findings, immunologically mediated thrombolysis was considered responsible for thrombocytopenia, whereas no signs of disseminated intravasal coagulopathy or deranged platelet production in the bone marrow were detected.

Electroencephalogram silence ratio for early outcome prognosis in severe head trauma

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the electroencephalogram silence-ratio (ESR) as a variable derived from mathematically processed electroencephalogram for early outcome prognosis in patients with severe head trauma and to comparatively assess sensitivity, specificity and predictive value vs. somatosensory evoked potentials and brainstem auditory evoked potentials.

DESIGN

Prospective, interventional study.

SETTING

Intensive care unit of a university hospital.

PATIENTS

A total of 32 adults with severe acute head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale score < or = 8).

METHODS AND MAIN RESULTS

In all patients, electroencephalographic recording was continuously performed by frontomastoid electrode montage for 24-96 hrs after admission to the ICU. The data were subsequently computed by fast Fourier analysis and the ESR (intervals of suppression as periods >240 msecs during which the electroencephalographic voltage did not exceed 5 microV) was displayed and recorded on a computer for further evaluation. Somatosensory evoked potentials and brainstem auditory evoked potentials were elicited during the first 2 days after admission. Outcome evaluation was performed 6 months after trauma using the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the Rappaport Disability Rating Scale. After careful artifact exclusion, the ESR depicted the highest sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value compared with evoked potentials. Even a highly significant correlation between outcome and ESR was found (p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

The ESR is a valuable variable showing a high reliability with respect to outcome prediction in severe head trauma with a higher predictive value than short latency somatosensory evoked potentials. Evidence exists that the ESR provides at least partial information regarding adequate cerebral oxygen delivery.

Functional recovery despite prolonged bilateral loss of somatosensory evoked potentials: report on two patients

A bilateral loss of short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) after head trauma or non-traumatic brain damage is normally associated with a deleterious neurological outcome. An adequate recovery in reported in two deeply comatose patients with head trauma or severe hypertensive encephalopathy despite prolonged bilateral loss of SSEPs over days, found in repeated recordings. Hence, a bilateral loss of SSEPs should not be considered alone for prediction of outcome in cerebral injury.