Lumbar Drainage in Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Subarachnoid HemorrhageSubarachnoid haemorrhage affects approximately 8000 people per year in the UK. The average age of a patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage is 50 years, although it is often seen in younger people (25-45 years). Despite modern medicine, the death and disability rate remains high both from the initial bleed and from the associated complications such as vasospasm. This is characterised by neurological impairment seen following the bleed. Despite modern treatment this is still associated with a poor outcome. This has significant implications due to the long term intensive neuro-rehabilitation these patients will require. A recent study has shown that placing a small drain in the lower back following a subarachnoid haemorrhage may reduce the chance of vasospasm occurring and result in a better outcome. This trial was not optimally performed and so a trial is needed to look at this in more detail. The investigators have set up such a trial in our neurosurgical unit. If the investigators confirm that there is an improvement in patient outcome, it will change our practice in the future.
Hypothermia During Intracranial Aneurysm Surgery Trial
AneurysmHypothermia1 moreThis is a large multi-center, prospective, randomized trial designed to determine whether mild intraoperative hypothermia results in improved neurological outcome in patients with an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who are undergoing an open craniotomy to clip their aneurysms.
Early Ventriculo-peritoneal Shunt in Subarachnoid Patients With External Ventricular Drainage
Subarachnoid HemorrhageVentriculo-Peritoneal Shunt Infection1 moreAcute hydrocephalus is a common complication following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Early and emergency insertion of external ventricular drain (EVD) is standard treatment of acute post-SAH hydrocephalus. According to the high risk of infection associated with EVD, the study evaluates the outcome of early EVD conversion to ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in poor-grade SAH patients.
SMCV Assessment on Brain Swelling in Patients With SAH From Ruptured Artery Aneurysm
Arterial AneurysmSuperficial cerebral veins findings in assessment of brain swelling in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent intravenenous DSA examinations
Patients' Follow-up After Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Caused by Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Intracranial AneurysmsAfter endovascular treatment of the intracranial aneurysm, recanalization may occur, with a risk of recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage or long-term angiographic recurrences of aneurysms. Few data exist on patients' long-term follow-up after subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by ruptured intracranial aneurysms.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Drainage Study
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid HemorrhageWhen patients suffer a subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding around the brain), they often develop hydrocephalus. This is an enlargement of the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) in the brain. Standard-of-care treatment includes placing an external ventricular drain (EVD) to drain off fluid. Eventually the EVD is weaned with the goal of removing it. Occasionally a patient does not tolerate this and a permanent surgery needs to be done to internalize a shunt. Though this is done commonly and routinely throughout the world, there are no good studies to address how to optimally set the EVD level and how fast to wean it. Most set the EVD to a level of around 15 mmHg. The investigators hypothesize that setting the EVD lower (which will allow higher volume Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) drainage through the EVD) will improve perfusion at the level of the microcirculation in the brain, and result in improved neurologic outcomes.
A Study Comparing Modified Lund Concept and Cerebral Perfusion Pressure-targeted Therapy in Secondary...
Brain InjuriesSubarachnoid HemorrhageSecondary brain ischaemia (SBI) usually develops after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The current management strategies are based on intracranial pressure-targeted therapy (ICP-targeted) with cerebral microdialysis monitoring (modified Lund concept) or cerebral perfusion pressure-targeted therapy (CPP-targeted). We present a randomised controlled study to compare the two management strategies. The hypotheses of the study were: SBI developed after aneurysmal SAH and severe TBI share the same crucial characteristics and any treatment applied will essentially treat the same underlying pathophysiology. ICP-targeted therapy with cerebral microdialysis monitoring according to the modified Lund concept is superior to CPP-targeted therapy in managing comatose patients with SBI after aneurysmal SAH and severe TBI. Sixty comatose operated patients with SBI following aneurysmal SAH and severe TBI were randomized into ICP-targeted therapy with cerebral microdialysis monitoring and CPP-targeted therapy groups. Mortality rates in both groups were calculated and biochemical signs of cerebral ischaemia were analysed using cerebral microdialysis. Outcome for cerebral microdialysis was measured as poor outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 1, 2 and 3) or good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 4 and 5).
Efficacy and Safety Study of a Low-carbohydrate Tube Feed in Critically Ill Patients Under Insulin...
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid HemorrhageThe purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of a diabetes-specific tube feed in comparison to an isocaloric, isonitrogenous standard enteral formula in critically ill patients receiving insulin treatment for blood glucose management.
Evaluation of Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Prevention of Cerebral Vasospasm After...
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH)Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) secondary to ruptured aneurysm represents 5 to 15% of all cases of stroke. The mortality rate of SAH is 40% and the risk of serious neurological sequelae among survivors is 10 to 20%.The causes of morbidity and mortality are mainly related to the initial damage induced by SAH and delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI), which is generally secondary to cerebral vasospasm. Cerebral vasospasm is one of the main factors of poor prognosis after SAH, as it is associated with a 1.5- to 3-fold increase in the mortality rate during the 2 weeks following SAH in these patients. Despite a significant improvement in the time to management of this disease and the fact that the ruptured aneurysm is very often rapidly excluded by surgical or endovascular intervention, patients who survive the initial SAH remain at risk of severe complications over the following 2 weeks. Vascular stenosis of an arterial segment, called cerebral vasospasm, is observed in more than 70 to 95% of cases on digital subtraction angiography between the 7th and 14th days after ruptured aneurysm. This angiographic vasospasm can be responsible for cerebral infarction in 52 to 81% of cases. Despite 50 years of research, no clearly demonstrated effective treatment for vasospasm is currently available. This is a multicentre, randomized, comparative study, including 364 patients during the acute phase following ruptured aneurysm, in whom management is very often limited to control of complications, after exclusion of the aneurysm. The objective of this study is to validate the efficacy of transcutaneous trigeminal nerve stimulation for the prevention of vasospasm and limitation of the consequences of delayed cerebral ischaemia after SAH. This is an innovative project, as it comprises intervention in these patients prior to the development of complications and could limit the development of these complications. The prevention tool, based on external facial nerve stimulation, is a totally innovative, reversible and noninvasive technique. Use of nerve stimulation in this indication has never been previously reported and could radically modify the intensive care management of this disease over the years to come.
Start or STop Anticoagulants Randomised Trial (SoSTART)
Intracranial HemorrhagesIntracranial Hemorrhage8 morePrimary research question: For adults surviving spontaneous (non-traumatic) symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage with persistent/paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), does starting full treatment dose oral anticoagulation (OAC) result in a beneficial net reduction of all serious vascular events compared with not starting OAC? Trial design: Investigator-led, multicentre, randomised, open, assessor-masked, parallel group, clinical trial of investigational medicinal product (CTIMP) prescribing strategies. Investigators plan for a pilot phase, followed by a safety phase.