Magnesium and Risk of Bleeding Complications From Ventriculostomy Insertion

Magnesium and Hematoma Expansion in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A FAST-MAG Randomized Trial Analysis

BACKGROUND

Observational studies suggest that magnesium may have hemostatic effects. FAST-MAG (Field Administration of Stroke Therapy-Magnesium) was a pragmatic clinical trial of magnesium sulfate administered prehospital for acute clinical stroke syndromes and included patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Exploratory secondary analysis by the treatment group found no reduction in hematoma expansion (HE) associated with magnesium treatment in intracerebral hemorrhage but did not consider serum magnesium levels achieved. We analyzed FAST-MAG intracerebral hemorrhage data for associations between serum magnesium level, HE, and early neurological deterioration, accounting for groupwise biases.

METHODS

HE was defined as hematoma volume increase ≥3 mL within 24 hours and early neurological deterioration as ≥1-point Glasgow Coma Scale decline from arrival to hospital day 4. Comparing treatment and placebo groups confirmed biased availability of neuroimaging data. Therefore, HE and neurological deterioration were analyzed and stratified by treatment and placebo groups using univariate tests and adjusted logistic regression.

RESULTS

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage was present in 381 patients. Placebo patients had fewer serial neuroimaging studies available (123 [65.4%] versus 145 [75.1%]; P=0.038). Necessary data were available in 104 magnesium- and 85 placebo-treated patients (age, 64.9 [13.0] years; 67.7% male). In the magnesium group, higher magnesium level was associated with less HE (adjusted odds ratio, 0.64 per mg/dL [95% CI, 0.42-0.93]) and less neurological deterioration (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54 per mg/dL [95% CI, 0.33-0.82]). In the placebo group, magnesium level was not associated with either HE or neurological deterioration.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnesium may exhibit a hemostatic effect that was only observable in the FAST-MAG magnesium treatment group. Equipoise should be maintained, and specific trials are needed.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00059332.

Association of Serum Magnesium with Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: a Multicentre Retrospective Study

Serum magnesium is involved in the process of blood coagulation, and low serum magnesium is associated with haemorrhagic diseases. No studies have explored the relationship between serum magnesium and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). This study aimed to explore the association between serum magnesium and GIB in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This was a multicentre retrospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was GIB. According to the baseline serum magnesium level of 0.7 mmol/L, patients were divided into two groups: the hypomagnesaemia group and the nonhypomagnesaemia group. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to investigate the association between hypomagnesaemia and GIB. A total of 654 PD patients from four Chinese peritoneal dialysis centres were recruited from February 1, 2010 to January 31, 2020. During the follow-up, 47 patients experienced GIB. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that there was a significant difference in the risk of GIB between the two groups (log-rank = 11.82, P < 0.001). The multivariable Cox regression model showed that the risk of GIB was higher in the hypomagnesaemia group than the nonhypomagnesaemia group after adjustment for demographic variables and laboratory indicators (HR = 3.007, 95% CI 1.488-6.079, P = 0.002). A baseline lower serum magnesium level was associated with a higher risk of GIB in PD patients.

Postprocedural Complications of External Ventricular Drains: A Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Absolute Risk of Hemorrhages, Infections, and Revisions

BACKGROUND

External ventricular drain (EVD) insertion is often a lifesaving procedure frequently used in neurosurgical emergencies. It is routinely done at the bedside in the neurocritical care unit or in the emergency room. However, there are infectious and noninfectious complications associated with this procedure. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate the absolute risk associated with EVD hemorrhages, infections, and revisions. The secondary purpose was to identify and characterize risk factors for EVD complications.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE (PubMed) database for "external ventricular drain," "external ventricular drain" + "complications" or "Hemorrhage" or "Infection" or "Revision" irrespective of publication year. Estimates from individual studies were combined using a random effects model, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with maximum likelihood specification. To investigate heterogeneity, the t2 and I2 tests were utilized. To evaluate for publication bias, a funnel plot was developed.

RESULTS

There were 260 total studies screened from our PubMed literature database search, with 176 studies selected for full-text review, and all of these 176 studies were included in the meta-analysis as they met the inclusion criteria. A total of 132,128 EVD insertions were reported, with a total of 130,609 participants having at least one EVD inserted. The pooled absolute risk (risk difference) and percentage of the total variability due to true heterogeneity (I2) for hemorrhagic complication was 1236/10,203 (risk difference: -0.63; 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.60; I2: 97.8%), infectious complication was 7278/125,909 (risk difference: -0.65; 95% CI: -0.67 to -0.64; I2: 99.7%), and EVD revision was 674/4416 (risk difference: -0.58; 95% CI: -0.65 to -0.51; I2: 98.5%). On funnel plot analysis, we had a variety of symmetrical plots, and asymmetrical plots, suggesting no bias in larger studies, and the lack of positive effects/methodological quality in smaller studies.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these findings provide valuable information regarding the safety of one of the most important and most common neurosurgical procedures, EVD insertion. Implementing best-practice standards is recommended in order to reduce EVD-related complications. There is a need for more in-depth research into the independent risk factors associated with these complications, as well as confirmation of these findings by well-structured prospective studies.

Management of Cerebral Edema, Brain Compression, and Intracranial Pressure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews the pathophysiology and management of cerebral edema, brain compression, and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). It also provides a brief introduction to the concept of the glymphatic system and select cellular contributors to cerebral edema.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cerebral edema and brain compression should be treated in a tiered approach after the patient demonstrates a symptomatic indication to start treatment. All patients with acute brain injury should be treated with standard measures to optimize intracranial compliance and minimize risk of ICP elevation. When ICP monitors are used, therapies should target maintaining ICP at 22 mm Hg or less. Evidence exists that serial clinical examination and neuroimaging may be a reasonable alternative to ICP monitoring; however, clinical trials in progress may demonstrate advantages to advanced monitoring techniques. Early decompressive craniectomy and hypothermia are not neuroprotective in traumatic brain injury and should be reserved for situations refractory to initial medical interventions. Medical therapies that acutely lower plasma osmolality may lead to neurologic deterioration from osmotic cerebral edema, and patients with acute brain injury and renal or liver failure are at elevated risk.

SUMMARY

A tiered approach to the management of cerebral edema and brain compression can reduce secondary brain injury when implemented according to core physiologic principles. However, our knowledge of the pathophysiology of acute brain injury is incomplete, and the conceptual framework underlying decades of clinical management may need to be revised in response to currently evolving discoveries regarding the pathophysiology of acute brain injury.