Fever Burden and Health-Related Quality of Life After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The predictive value of stereotactic surgery guided by CTA angiographic point sign for secondary hematoma expansion following surgery in patients with moderate-volume basal ganglia hematoma

Objective

To examine the efficacy of the CTA angiographic point sign in forecasting secondary hematoma expansion following stereotactic surgery in patients with moderate-volume basilar ganglia hematoma and it's potential to enhance postoperative outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 143 patients with moderate-volume basal ganglia hematoma (hematoma volume between 30 mL and 60 mL) admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at Baise People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022. Stereotactic surgery guided by the CTA angiographic point sign was conducted in 79 patients (experimental group), while stereotactic surgery guided by the computed tomography (CT) scan was performed in 64 patients (control group). The short-term clinical results (incidence of secondary hematoma expansion, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score within 30 days, death, surgical complications) and long-term clinical outcomes [Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score after 6 months] were analysed by comparing the two groups.

Results

No subsequent hematoma expansion occurrences transpired in the experimental group post-surgery, but 12 (18.75%) such events were observed in the control group following the procedure. The experimental group experienced 27 postoperative lung infections (34.18%), whereas the control group had 33 infections (51.56%). The average GCS score was (9.46 ± 2.23) in the experimental group and (7.94 ± 4.68) in the control group. The mortality rate was 2 (2.53%) in the experimental group and 8 (12.50%) in the control group. The treatment efficacy rate (MRS) at 6 months was 59 cases (74.68%) in the experimental group and 35 cases (54.69%) in the control group. The disparity between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

CTA angiographic point-guided stereotactic surgery can significantly diminish the incidence of subsequent hematoma expansion following the procedure, enhancing patient clinical outcomes and postoperative quality of life.

Impact of fever on the outcome non-anoxic acute brain injury patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Fever is a common condition in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, with an incidence between 30 and 50% in non-neurological ICU patients and up to 70-90% in neurological ICU patients. We aim to perform systematic review and meta-analysis of current literature to assess impact of fever on neurological outcomes and mortality of acute brain injury patients.

METHODS

We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Embase databases following the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, and we included both retrospective and prospective observational studies, interventional studies, and randomized clinical trials that had data on body temperature and fever during ICU admission. The primary endpoints were neurological outcome and mortality at any time. Secondary outcomes included: early neurological deterioration, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI, only for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage), large infarct or hemorrhage size, hemorrhagic transformation (only for patients with ischemic stroke). This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020155903).

RESULTS

180 studies from 14692 records identified after the initial search were included in the final analysis, for a total of 460,825 patients. Fever was associated with an increased probability of unfavorable neurological outcome (pooled OR 2.37 [95% CI 2.08-2.71], I2:92%), death (pooled OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.28-1.34], I2:93%), neurological deterioration (pooled OR 1.10 [95% CI 1.05-1.15]), risk of DCI (pooled OR 1.96 [95% CI 1.73-2.22]), large infarct size (pooled OR 2.94 [95% CI 2.90-2.98]) and hemorrhagic transformation (pooled OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.34-1.97]) and large hemorrhagic volume (pooled OR 2.38 [95% CI 1.94-2.93]).

CONCLUSION

Fever was associated with poor neurological outcomes and mortality in patients with acute brain injury. Whether normothermia should be targeted in the management of all neuro critically ill patients warrants specific research.

Postoperative fever and clinical outcomes after endoscopic surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a retrospective database study

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) is a severe stroke with high mortality and disability rates. Endoscopic surgery is an increasingly widely used minimally invasive method for the treatment of SICH. However, the impact of fever on patient outcomes remains unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively included patients aged 18 years or older with supratentorial SICH confirmed by CT, who underwent endoscopic hematoma evacuation within 48 h of symptom onset. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included hospital and neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU) stays, and perioperative complications. We analyzed the association between postoperative fever (highest temperature within 24 h after surgery) and these outcomes using multivariate analysis, generalized additive models, and segmented regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 56 patients, 38 had favorable outcomes (mRS ≤ 3) and 18 had unfavorable outcomes (mRS > 3) at 3 months. A threshold effect at 38.2 °C was observed between postoperative body temperature and clinical outcomes. The mean age was 56 years (SD = 9) for the > 38.2 °C group and 58 years (SD = 8) for the ≤ 38.2 °C group, with a similar proportion of male patients (63% vs. 69%, P = 0.635). Patients with postoperative fever had larger hematoma volumes (65 vs. 56 mL; P = 0.008). Other characteristics were similar between the groups. Postoperative fever (> 38.2 °C) was independently associated with a 4.99-fold increased risk of unfavorable outcomes (95% CI = [1.13 to 25.90]; P = 0.040), which remained significant after excluding patients with postoperative complications (adjusted RR = 16.03, 95% CI = [1.69 to 417.24]; P = 0.033). The association was consistent across subgroups with different Glasgow Coma Scale scores, hematoma volumes, and intraventricular extension. Postoperative fever was also associated with longer NSICU stays (3.1 vs. 2.3 days; P = 0.023), longer hospital stays (17.2 vs. 13.6 days; P = 0.010), more residual hematoma, and greater edema volume. Different antipyretic therapies did not affect outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies a temperature threshold (38.2 °C) associated with poor outcomes in SICH patients undergoing endoscopic surgery. Further research is needed to mitigate postoperative fever and improve patient outcomes.

Survivorship After Neurocritical Care: A Scoping Review of Outcomes Beyond Physical Status

Following intensive care unit hospitalization, survivors of acute neurological injury often experience debilitating short-term and long-term impairments. Although the physical/motor impairments experienced by survivors of acute neurological injury have been described extensively, fewer studies have examined cognitive, mental health, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and employment outcomes. This scoping review describes the publication landscape beyond physical and/or motor sequelae in neurocritical care survivors. Databases were searched for terms related to critical illness, intensive care, and outcomes from January 1970 to March 2022. English-language studies of critically ill adults with a primary neurological diagnosis were included if they reported on at least one outcome of interest: cognition, mental health, HRQoL or employment. Data extraction was performed in duplicate for prespecified variables related to study outcomes. Of 16,036 abstracts screened, 74 citations were identified for inclusion. The studies encompassed seven worldwide regions and eight neurocritical diagnosis categories. Publications reporting outcomes of interest increased from 3 before the year 2000 to 71 after. Follow-up time points included ≤ 1 (n = 15 [20%] citations), 3 (n = 28 [38%]), 6 (n = 28 [38%]), and 12 (n = 21 [28%]) months and 1 to 5 (n = 19 [26%]) and > 5 years (n = 8 [11%]), with 28 (38%) citations evaluating outcomes at multiple time points. Sixty-six assessment tools were used to evaluate the four outcomes of interest: 22 evaluating HRQoL (56 [76%] citations), 21 evaluating cognition (20 [27%] citations), 21 evaluating mental health (18 [24%] citations), and 2 evaluating employment (9 [12%] citations). This scoping review aimed to better understand the literature landscape regarding nonphysical outcomes in survivors of neurocritical care. Although a rising number of publications highlight growing awareness, future efforts are needed to improve study consistency and comparability and characterize outcomes in a disease-specific manner, including outlining of a minimum core outcomes set and associated assessment tools.

Health-related quality of life in Chinese SLE patients: evidence from 1568 SLE patients and 2610 healthy controls

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), the relationship between disease activity and HRQOL, and potential factors affecting HRQOL in Chinese SLE patients.

METHODS

This study recruited 1568 patients and 2610 controls to explore the effects of SLE on HRQOL. The association between disease activity and HRQOL, and the influencing factors of HRQOL were determined in 1568 patients. Then, we prospectively followed 1096 patients to explore the association between reduced disease activity and improved HRQOL, and the influencing factors of improved HRQOL. The Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) were used to evaluate HRQOL and disease activity.

RESULTS

Chinese SLE patients had lower HRQOL than controls in all domains (P < 0.001), especially in role-physical (RP) and role-emotional (RE). Compared with SLE patients from outside China, the HRQOL of Chinese patients appeared to be higher in mental component summary (MCS) but lower in RP and RE. SLEDAI was negatively correlated with HRQOL, which was validated using the results of a follow-up study, where SLEDAI reduction was positively associated with HRQOL improvements (P < 0.05). Furthermore, personality, life nervous and experiences of adverse life events may influence HRQOL and HRQOL improvements.

CONCLUSION

SLE significantly affected the HRQOL of Chinese patients, especially in RP and RE. Disease activity was negatively correlated with HRQOL. We also found for the first time some factors affecting HRQOL, which can be regarded as the basis for improving the HRQOL of SLE patients.

Early fever in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage is associated with worse long-term functional outcomes: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 85% of ICH cases and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Fever can cause secondary injury after ICH; however, relevant studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the effects of fever on functional outcomes after ICH. This study examined the effects of early fever on the prognosis of ICH, particularly on long-term functional outcomes.

METHODS

This prospective study recruited patients with primary ICH at a tertiary medical center between 2019 and 2021. Early fever was defined as a tympanic body temperature of ≥ 38 °C upon admission. Barthel Index (BI) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were examined at 1 year after ICH. A BI of ≤ 60 or mRS of ≥ 4 was considered as indicating severe disability.

RESULTS

We included 100 patients, and early fever was significantly associated with less functional independence at 1 year post-ICH, as determined using the mRS (p = 0.048; odds ratio [OR] = 0.23), and with severe functional dependency at 1 year post-ICH, as determined using the BI (p = 0.043; OR = 3) and mRS (p = 0.045; OR = 3). In addition, patients with early fever had a longer length of hospital stay (p = 0.002; 95% confidence interval = 21.80-95.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Fever is common among patients with primary ICH. Our data indicate a significant association between early fever and worse functional outcomes in ICH survivors at 1 year after ICH. Additionally, patients with early fever had a significantly longer length of hospital stay after ICH.

Targeted temperature management in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, or acute ischaemic stroke: updated consensus guideline recommendations by the Neuroprotective Therapy Consensus Review (NTCR) group

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of consistent, evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with fever after brain injury. The aim was to update previously published consensus recommendations on targeted temperature management after intracerebral haemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, and acute ischaemic stroke in patients who require admission to critical care.

METHODS

A modified Delphi consensus, the Neuroprotective Therapy Consensus Review (NTCR), included 19 international neuro-intensive care experts with a subspecialty interest in the acute management of intracerebral haemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, and acute ischaemic stroke. An online, anonymised survey was completed ahead of the meeting before the group came together to consolidate consensus and finalise recommendations on targeted temperature management. A threshold of ≥80% for consensus was set for all statements.

RESULTS

Recommendations were formulated based on existing evidence, literature review, and consensus. After intracerebral haemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, and acute ischaemic stroke in patients who require critical care admission, core temperature should ideally be monitored continuously and maintained between 36.0°C and 37.5°C using automated feedback-controlled devices, where possible. Targeted temperature management should be commenced within 1 h of first fever identification with appropriate diagnosis and treatment of infection, maintained for as long as the brain remains at risk of secondary injury, and rewarming should be controlled. Shivering should be monitored and managed to limit risk of secondary injury. Following a single protocol for targeted temperature management across intracerebral haemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, and acute ischaemic stroke is desirable.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a modified Delphi expert consensus process, these guidelines aim to improve the quality of targeted temperature management for patients after intracerebral haemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, and acute ischaemic stroke in critical care, highlighting the need for further research to improve clinical guidelines in this setting.

Effects of a 4-Step Standard Operating Procedure for the Treatment of Fever in Patients With Acute Stroke

Background and Purpose: Fever in the acute phase of stroke leads to an unfavorable clinical outcome and increased mortality. However, no specific form of effective fever treatment has been established, so far. We analyzed the effectiveness of our in-house standard operating procedure (SOP) of fever treatment. Methods: This SOP was analyzed for a period of 33 weeks. Patients with cerebral ischemia (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack) or cerebral hemorrhage (intracerebral, subarachnoid) and body temperature elevation of ≥ 37.5°C within the first 6 days after admission were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. The results of SOP group, who's data have been collected prospectively were then compared with a historical control group that had been treated conventionally 1 year earlier in the same period. The data of control group have been collected in retrospect. The primary endpoint was the total duration of the fever for the first 6 days after admission to the stroke unit. Results: A total of 130 patients (mean age of 78 ± 12) received 370 antipyretic interventions. Sequential application of paracetamol (n = 245), metamizole (n = 53) and calf compress (n = 15) led to significant reduction in body temperature. In patients who did not respond to these applications, normothermia could be achieved after infusion of the cooled saline solution. Normothermia could be achieved within 120 min in more than 90% of the cases treated by the SOP. The SOP reduced the fever duration in the 6 days significantly, from 12.2 ± 2.7 h [95% confidence interval (CI) for mean] in the control group to 3.9 ± 1.0 h (95% CI) in the SOP group (p < 0.001). The SOP was rated to be reasonable and effective. Conclusion: Our in-house SOP is cost-efficient and effective for fever treatment in stroke patients, that can be implemented by local health care professionals.

Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: JACC Focus Seminar

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for a disproportionate amount of stroke-related morbidity and mortality. Although chronic hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy are the underlying cerebral vasculopathies accounting for the majority of ICH, there are a broad range of potential causes, and effective management requires accurate identification and treatment of the underlying mechanism of hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging and vascular imaging techniques play a critical role in identifying disease mechanisms. Modern treatment of ICH focuses on rapid stabilization, often requiring urgent treatment of mass effect, aggressive blood pressure reduction and correction of contributing coagulopathies to achieve hemostasis. We discuss management of patients with ICH who continue to require long-term anticoagulation, the interaction of ICH with neurodegenerative diseases, and our approach to prognostication after ICH. We close this review with a discussion of novel medical and surgical approaches to ICH treatment that are being tested in clinical trials.

Temperature management in acute brain injury: A systematic review of clinical evidence

Temperature alterations in neurocritical care settings are common and have a striking effect on brain metabolism leading to or exacerbating neuronal injury. Hyperthermia worsens acute brain injury (ABI) patients outcome. However conclusive evidence linking control of temperature to improved outcome is still lacking. This review article report an update -results from clinical studies published between March 2006 and March 2020- on the relationship between hyperthermia or Target Temperature Management and functional outcome or mortality in ABI patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of articles in PubMed and EMBASE database was accomplished. Only complete studies, published in English in peer-reviewed journals were included.

RESULTS

A total of 63 articles into 5 subchapters are presented: acute ischemic stroke (17), subarachnoid hemorrhage (14), brain trauma (14), intracranial hemorrhage (8), and mixed acute brain injury (10). This evidence confirm and extend the negative impact of hyperthermia in ABI patients on worse functional outcome and higher mortality. In particular "early hyperthermia" in AIS patients seems to have a protective role have as promoting factor of clot lysis but no conclusive evidence is available. Normothermic TTM seems to have a positive effect on TBI patients in a reduced mortality rate compared to hypothermic TTM.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperthermia in ABI patients is associated with worse functional outcome and higher mortality. The use of normothermic TTM has an established indication only in TBI; further studies are needed to define the role and the indications of normothermic TTM in ABI patients.

Systemic inflammation in hemorrhagic strokes - A novel neurological sign and therapeutic target?

Growing evidences suggest that stroke is a systemic disease affecting many organ systems beyond the brain. Stroke-related systemic inflammatory response and immune dysregulations may play an important role in brain injury, recovery, and stroke outcome. The two main phenomena in stroke-related peripheral immune dysregulations are systemic inflammation and post-stroke immunosuppression. There is emerging evidence suggesting that the spleen contracts following ischemic stroke, activates peripheral immune response and this may further potentiate brain injury. Whether similar brain-immune crosstalk occurs in hemorrhagic strokes such as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is not established. In this review, we systematically examined animal and human evidence to date on peripheral immune responses associated with hemorrhagic strokes. Specifically, we reviewed the impact of clinical systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), inflammation- and immune-associated biomarkers, the brain-spleen interaction, and cellular mediators of peripheral immune responses to ICH and SAH including regulatory T cells (Tregs). While there is growing data suggesting that peripheral immune dysregulation following hemorrhagic strokes may be important in brain injury pathogenesis and outcome, details of this brain-immune system cross-talk remain insufficiently understood. This is an important unmet scientific need that may lead to novel therapeutic strategies in this highly morbid condition.