Impact of echocardiographic wall motion abnormality and cardiac biomarker elevation on outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a meta-analysis

Clinical Interpretation of Serum Troponin in the Era of High-Sensitivity Testing

Cardiac troponin (Tn) plays a central role in the evaluation of patients with angina presenting with acute coronary syndrome. The advent of high-sensitivity assays has improved the analytic sensitivity and precision of serum Tn measurement, but this advancement has come at the cost of poorer specificity. The role of clinical judgment is of heightened importance because, more so than ever, the interpretation of serum Tn elevation hinges on the careful integration of findings from electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, physical exam, interview, and other imaging and laboratory data to formulate a weighted differential diagnosis. A thorough understanding of the epidemiology, mechanisms, and prognostic implications of Tn elevations in each cardiac and non-cardiac etiology allows the clinician to better distinguish between presentations of myocardial ischemia and myocardial injury-an important discernment to make, as the treatment of acute coronary syndrome is vastly different from the workup and management of myocardial injury and should be directed at the underlying cause.

Crosstalk Between the Nervous System and Systemic Organs in Acute Brain Injury

Organ crosstalk is a complex biological communication between distal organs mediated via cellular, soluble, and neurohormonal actions, based on a two-way pathway. The communication between the central nervous system and peripheral organs involves nerves, endocrine, and immunity systems as well as the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain. Particularly, acute brain injury is complicated by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration causing multiorgan inflammation, microbial dysbiosis, gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysmotility, liver dysfunction, acute kidney injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Organ crosstalk has become increasingly popular, although the information is still limited. The present narrative review provides an update on the crosstalk between the nervous system and systemic organs after acute brain injury. Future research might help to target this pathophysiological process, preventing the progression toward multiorgan dysfunction in critically ill patients with brain injury.

Insular cortex Hounsfield units predict postoperative neurocardiogenic injury in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Our study aims to investigate the association between the Hounsfield unit (Hu) value of the insular cortex (IC) during emergency admission and the subsequent occurrence of post-operative neurocardiogenic injury (NCI) among patients afflicted with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

METHODS

Patients baseline characteristics were juxtaposed between those with and without NCI. The significant variables were incorporated into a multivariable stepwise logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drafted for each significant variable, yielding cutoff values and the area under the curve (AUC). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the predictive performance across various cohorts and ascertain result stability. Propensity score matching (PSM) was ultimately employed to redress any baseline characteristic disparities.

RESULTS

Patients displaying a right IC Hu value surpassing 28.65 exhibited an escalated risk of postoperative NCI upon confounder adjustment (p < 0.001). The ROC curve eloquently manifested the predictive capacity of right IC Hu in relation to NCI (AUC = 0.650, 95%CI, 0.591-0.709, p < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis revealed significant interactions between right IC Hu and factors such as age, history of heart disease, and Graeb 5-12 score. Sensitivity analysis further upheld the results' significant (p = 0.002). The discrepancy in NCI incidence between the two groups, both prior (p < 0.002) and post (p = 0.039) PSM, exhibited statistical significance. After PSM implementation, the likelihood of NCI displayed an ascending trend with increasing right IC Hu values, from the Hu1 cohort onward, receding post the Hu4 cohort.

CONCLUSION

This study definitively establishes an elevated right IC Hu value in the early stages of emergency admission as an autonomous predictor for ensuing NCI subsequent to aSAH.

Risk Factors, Outcomes, and Predictions of Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Nosocomial Infections in Patients with Nervous System Diseases

Purpose

Acinetobacter baumannii has evolved to become a major pathogen of nosocomial infections, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors, outcomes, and predictions of extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with nervous system diseases (NSDs).

Methods

A retrospective study of patients infected with XDR-A. baumannii admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University (Luzhou, China) from January 2021 to December 2022 was conducted. Three multivariate regression models were used to assess the risk factors and predictive value for specific diagnostic and prognostic subgroups.

Results

A total of 190 patients were included, of which 84 were diagnosed with NSDs and 80% of those were due to stroke. The overall rates of all-cause mortality for XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections and those in NSDs were 38.9% and 40.5%, respectively. Firstly, hypertension, indwelling gastric tube, tracheotomy, deep puncture, bladder irrigation, and pulmonary infections were independent risk factors for XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with NSDs. Moreover, pulmonary infections, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly associated with increased mortality rates in patients with nosocomial infections caused by XDR-A. baumannii. Thirdly, NLR and cardiovascular diseases accounted for a high risk of mortality for XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with NSDs. The area under the curves of results from each multivariate regression model were 0.827, 0.811, and 0.853, respectively.

Conclusion

This study reveals the risk factors of XDR-A. baumannii nosocomial infections in patients with NSDs, and proves their reliable predictive value. Early recognition of patients at high risk, sterilizing medical tools, and regular blood monitoring are all critical aspects for minimizing the nosocomial spread and mortality of A. baumannii infections.

Impact of pre-hospital handling and initial time to cranial computed tomography on outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest-a retrospective bi-centric study

Background

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) presents occasionally with cardiac arrest (CA). The impact of pre-hospital and emergency room (ER) treatment on outcome remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of pre-hospital treatment, focusing on lay cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and ER handling on the outcome of SAH patients with out-of-hospital CA (OHCA).

Methods

In this bi-centric retrospective analysis, we reviewed SAH databases for OHCA and CPR from January 2011 to June 2021. Patients were analyzed for general clinical and epidemiological parameters. CPR data were obtained from ambulance reports and information on ER handling from the medical records. Data were correlated with patient survival at hospital discharge as a predefined outcome parameter.

Results

Of 1,120 patients with SAH, 45 (4.0%) were identified with OHCA and CPR, 38 of whom provided all required information and were included in this study. Time to resuscitation was significantly shorter with lay resuscitation (5.3 ± 5.2 min vs. 0.3 ± 1.2 min, p = 0.003). Nineteen patients were not initially scheduled for cranial computed tomography (CCT), resulting in a significantly longer time interval to first CCT (mean ± SD: 154 ± 217 min vs. 40 ± 23 min; p < 0.001). Overall survival to discharge was 31.6%. Pre-hospital lay CPR was not associated with higher survival (p = 0.632). However, we observed a shorter time to first CCT in surviving patients (p = 0.065).

Conclusions

OHCA in SAH patients is not uncommon. Besides high-quality CPR, time to diagnosis of SAH appears to play an important role. We therefore recommend considering CCT diagnostics as part of the diagnostic algorithm in patients with OHCA.

The prevalence of cardiac complications and their impact on outcomes in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious condition, and a myocardial injury or dysfunction could contribute to the outcome. We assessed the prevalence and prognostic impact of cardiac involvement in a cohort with SAH. This is a prospective observational multicenter study. We included 192 patients treated for non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. We performed ECG recordings, echocardiographic examinations, and blood sampling within 24 h of admission and on days 3 and 7 and at 90 days. The primary endpoint was the evidence of cardiac involvement at 90 days, and the secondary endpoint was to examine the prevalence of a myocardial injury or dysfunction. The median age was 54.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 48.0-64.0) years, 44.3% were male and the median World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) score was 2 (IQR 1-4). At day 90, 22/125 patients (17.6%) had left ventricular ejection fractions ≤ 50%, and 2/121 patients (1.7%) had evidence of a diastolic dysfunction as defined by mitral peak E-wave velocity by peak e' velocity (E/e') > 14. There was no prognostic impact from echocardiographic evidence of cardiac complications on neurological outcomes. The overall prevalence of cardiac dysfunction was modest. We found no demographic or SAH-related factors associated with 90 days cardiac dysfunction.

Subarachnoidal hemorrhage related cardiomyopathy: an overview of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy and related cardiac syndromes

INTRODUCTION

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is caused by a ruptured intracranial aneurysm leading to acute extravasation of blood into the subarachnoid space. SAH has an incidence of 6.3 per 100,000 persons per year in Europe and accounts for 5% of all strokes. SAH occurs at a relatively young age and has poor clinical outcomes and high mortality rates. Cardiac syndromes are regularly seen in patients with acute neurologic disease including SAH. These cardiac complications of SAH are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and present in a large variety and severity.

AREAS COVERED

The main goal of this review is to describe the SAH-related cardiac syndromes. Secondly, we will provide an overview of the underlying pathophysiology regarding the development of cardiac syndromes. Thirdly, we will describe the impact of cardiac syndromes on patient outcome.

EXPERT OPINION

Of all neurology patients, SAH patients have the highest risk of developing takotsubo syndrome (TTS), occurring in about 0.8-30% of patients. Both TTS and neurogenic stunned myocardium have many similarities on echocardiographic evaluation. In European Cardiology consensus, SAH is recognized as a primary cause of TTS.

XGBoost Machine Learning Algorithm for Prediction of Outcome in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Patients suffered aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) usually develop poor survival and functional outcome. Evaluating aSAH patients at high risk of poor outcome is necessary for clinicians to make suitable therapeutical strategy. This study is conducted to develop prognostic model using XGBoost (extreme gradient boosting) algorithm in aSAH.

METHODS

A total of 351 aSAH patients admitted to West China hospital were identified. Patients were divided into training set and test set with ratio of 7:3 to testify the predictive value of XGBoost based prognostic model. Additionally, logistic regression model was also constructed and compared with XGBoost based model. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were calculated to evaluate the value of XGBoost and logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 74 (21.1%) non-survivors and 148 (42.1%) patients with unfavorable functional outcome. Non-survivors had older age (p=0.025), lower Glasgow coma scale (GCS) (p<0.001), higher World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies WFNS score (p<0.001), mFisher score (p<0.001). The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (p=0.025) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) (p<0.001) was higher in non-survivors than survivors. The AUC of XGBoost model for predicting mortality and unfavorable functional outcome were 0.950 and 0.958, which were higher than 0.767 and 0.829 of logistic regression model.

CONCLUSION

XGBoost based model is more precise than logistic regression model in predicting outcome of aSAH patients. Using XGBoost prognostic model is helpful for clinicians to identify high-risk aSAH patients and therefore strengthen medical care.

Evaluation of Cardiac Troponin and Adverse Outcomes After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of cardiac troponin I (cTn) levels in predicting adverse clinical outcomes of patients with anerusmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). However, it remains unclear whether cTn levels can be a useful factor in predicting adverse neurologic and cardiovascular outcomes regarding follow-up duration. The study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of cTn elevation among patients with aSAH. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed and Cochrane to collect original studies that compared the adverse outcomes in patients with aSAH who had elevated cTn levels and those who did not have elevated cTn levels. Data on patient demographics and outcome measurements (mortality, major disability, delayed cerebral ischemia, cardiac dysfunction, and pulmonary edema) were extracted. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by fitting a random effects model. A total of 4,117 patients with aSAH were included in the meta-analysis. Elevated cTn levels was associated with a higher all-cause mortality (OR 3.64; 95% CI 2.68-4.94; I² = 22.05%), poor major disability (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.5-3.37; I² = 52.07%), delayed cerebral ischemia (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.46-3.03; I² = 13.80%), cardiac dysfunction (OR 9.20; 95% CI 4.31-19.60; I² = 39.89), and pulmonary edema (OR 10.32; 95% CI 5.64-18.90; I² = 0.00%). Additionally, elevated cTn levels was associated with higher mortality in prospective studies (OR 3.66; 95% CI 2.61-5.14) as well as when compared with studies with short-term and long-term follow-up periods. Patients with aSAH who had elevated cTn levels also tended to experience poor short-term major disability (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.48-3.76). Among patients with aSAH, elevated cTn levels was associated with higher mortality and adverse neurologic and cardiovascular outcomes. Given its clinical value, cardiac troponin levels may be included in the assessment of patients withs aSAH.

Prognostic Value of Elevated Cardiac Troponin I After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Object: Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) have an increased incidence of cardiac events and short-term unfavorable neurological outcomes during the acute phase of bleeding. We studied whether troponin I elevation after ictus can predict future major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and long-term neurological outcomes after 2 years.

Methods: Consecutive aSAH patients within 3 days of bleeding were eligible for review from a prospective observational cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04785976). Potential predictors of future MACEs and unfavorable long-term neurological outcomes were calculated by Cox and logistic regression analyses. Additional Kaplan–Meier curves were performed.

Results: A total of 213 patients were enrolled with an average follow-up duration of 34.3 months. Individuals were divided into two groups: elevated cTnI group and unelevated cTnI group. By the last available follow-up, 20 patients had died, with an overall all-cause mortality rate of 9.4% and an annual all-cause mortality rate of 3.8%. Patients with elevated cTnI had a significantly higher risk of future MACEs (10.6 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.024, and 95% CI: 1.256–23.875) and unfavorable neurological outcomes at discharge, 3-month, 1-, 2-years, and last follow-up (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). In the Cox analysis for future MACE, elevated cTnI was the only independent predictor (HR = 5.980; 95% CI: 1.428–25.407, and p = 0.014). In the multivariable logistic analysis for unfavorable neurological outcomes, peak cTnI was significant (OR = 2.951; 95% CI: 1.376–6.323; p = 0.005). Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that the elevated cTnI was correlated with future MACE (log-rank test, p = 0.007) and subsequent death (log-rank test, p = 0.004).

Conclusion: cTnI elevation after aSAH could predict future MACEs and unfavorable neurological outcomes.

Neurological update: use of cardiac troponin in patients with stroke

Cardiac troponin is a specific and sensitive biomarker to identify and quantify myocardial injury. Myocardial injury is frequently detected after acute ischemic stroke and strongly associated with unfavorable outcomes. Concomitant acute coronary syndrome is only one of several possible differential diagnoses that may cause elevation of cardiac troponin after stroke. As a result, there are uncertainties regarding the correct interpretation and optimal management of stroke patients with myocardial injury in clinical practice. Elevation of cardiac troponin may occur as part of a 'Stroke-Heart Syndrome'. The term 'Stroke-Heart Syndrome' subsumes a clinical spectrum of cardiac complications after stroke including cardiac injury, dysfunction, and arrhythmia which may relate to disturbances of autonomic function and the brain-heart axis. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview about prognostic implications, mechanisms, and management of elevated cardiac troponin levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Crosstalk between brain, lung and heart in critical care

Extracerebral complications, especially pulmonary and cardiovascular, are frequent in brain-injured patients and are major outcome determinants. Two major pathways have been described: brain-lung and brain-heart interactions. Lung injuries after acute brain damages include ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and neurogenic pulmonary œdema (NPE), whereas heart injuries can range from cardiac enzymes release, ECG abnormalities to left ventricle dysfunction or cardiogenic shock. The pathophysiologies of these brain-lung and brain-heart crosstalk are complex and sometimes interconnected. This review aims to describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of lung and heart injuries in brain-injured patients with the different pathways implicated and the clinical implications for critical care physicians.

Evaluation of Cardiac Complications Following Hemorrhagic Stroke Using 5-Year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Database

Literature regarding cardiac deaths in hemorrhagic stroke patients is few. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of cardiac death in hemorrhagic stroke patients. We used the multiple causes of death database from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data of the United States. We identified death certificates from 2006 to 2010 with hemorrhagic stroke (International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code I60-62), or ischemic stroke (ICD-10 code I63), and evaluated the frequency and risk factors of reporting MI (ICD-10 code I20-25) or arrhythmias (ICD-10 code I44-45, I47-49) as the main cause of death in these populations. Over the five-year period, 224,359 death certificates that mentioned hemorrhagic stroke were identified, and the cause of death was MI in 8.95% and arrhythmia in 7.28% patients. With autopsy confirmation, the incidences of MI and arrhythmias in the hemorrhagic stroke group were still lower than the ischemic group. The odds ratio of reporting arrhythmias as a cause of death in hospitalized population was higher. A substantial percentage of hemorrhagic stroke patients had cardiac death. Greater efforts are needed to closely monitor high-risk groups such as females and the elderly.