Biomedical subjects

Neeraj Badjatia

Publications and source records attributed to Neeraj Badjatia.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Rapid infusion of cold saline (4 degrees C) as adjunctive treatment of fever in patients with brain injury.

The use of rapid infusion of large-volume cold saline (CS) as an adjunctive therapy for treating refractory fever in nine patients is reported. A decline in temperature (39.2 +/- 0.3 vs 37.1 +/- 1.2 degrees C, p = 0.006) at 2 hours and fever burden (97.3 +/- 343.8 vs 734.3 +/- 422.3 degrees C*min, p = 0.02) at 12 hours was noted after CS bolus. Rapid infusion of large-volume CS may be used as an adjunct for inducing normothermia in refractory febrile patients.

Brain Injuries↗

PubMed2006

Therapeutic temperature modulation in neurocritical care.

The ability to effectively achieve and maintain long-term temperature control is an important goal that has been previously unachievable in the neurocritical care setting. Previous attempts have been limited by the inability to overcome physiologic defense mechanisms, short duration of action, or significant adverse effects. Recent advances in technology have made therapeutic temperature modulation feasible. In this review, current concepts of therapeutic temperature modulation are presented. New advances in technology may provide an important breakthrough in the ability to reduce fever-associated morbidity in neurocritically ill patients. What remains to be seen is whether the advantages of these technologies will outweigh the risks associated with therapeutic temperature modulation.

Biological Therapy↗

PubMed2006

Central nervous system infections in the neurointensive care unit.

Central nervous system (CNS) infections are frequently encountered at the primary care level, in emergency rooms, medical wards, and intensive care units. Advances in immunization techniques and aggressive prevention campaigns have had an impact on the worldwide incidence of community-acquired meningitis, limiting this disease to the adult population. In general, a high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis, but special attention should be given to the immunocompromised host and post-neurosurgical patient in whom the clinical presentation may be nonspecific. Once the diagnosis is made, broad-spectrum antimicrobials should be administered, followed by diagnostic testing, and targeted antibiotic therapy. Current guidelines for the treatment of meningitis are clinically effective but are not based on randomized, prospective, controlled trials. Despite current therapies, the morbidity of CNS infections is still devastating. Recent trials of the use of corticosteroids as coadjuvants of antibiotic therapy showed promising results and decrease in the morbidity associated with bacterial and tuberculous meningitis. Additional neuroprotective alternatives should be the focus of future research. Similarly, guidelines for the diagnosis and management of post-neurosurgical procedure meningitis and ventriculostomy-related infections are needed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Relationship between hyperglycemia and symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between blood glucose levels (mg/dL) and occurrence of symptomatic vasospasm (VSP) and clinical outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study of 352 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted within 48 hrs of ictus between January 1995 and June 2002. SETTING: Neurointensive care unit. PATIENTS: Adult patients admitted after subarachnoid hemorrhage. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Variables included age; Hunt-Hess classification score; Fisher group; insulin use; infectious disease status; history of diabetes mellitus; and blood glucose values. Poor clinical outcome was defined by a modified Rankin score > or =3, and hyperglycemia was defined by a blood glucose level >140 mg/dL. Mean daily blood glucose values were assessed from admission to development of VSP or day 14. Mean admission blood glucose value, mean inpatient blood glucose value, insulin use, infectious disease status, Hunt-Hess classification score, Fisher group, and history of diabetes mellitus were entered in a Cox proportional hazards model. VSP occurred in 103 (29.2%) of 352 patients. Mean admission blood glucose values (176.6 +/- 40.3 mg/dL vs. 162.3 +/- 47.8 mg/dL; p = .01) and mean inpatient blood glucose values (166.2 +/- 24.7 mg/dL vs. 155.8 +/- 29.7 mg/dL; p = .001) were significantly higher in patients with VSP. Mean inpatient blood glucose value (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.03; p = .04), Hunt-Hess classification score > or =3 (relative risk, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.99; p = .02), and Fisher group score of 3 (relative risk, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-3.1; p = .05) increased the risk for VSP. Hyperglycemia was associated with longer length of stay in the neurointensive care unit (14.5 +/- 7.1 days vs. 11.6 +/- 5.4 days; p < .001) and poor outcome at discharge (modified Rankin score > or =3: 58.9% vs. 18.8%; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Mean inpatient blood glucose value is associated with the development of VSP and may represent a target for therapy to prevent VSP and improve clinical outcomes.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed2005

Intracerebral hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) occurs from the rupture of small vessels into the brain parenchyma and accounts for approximately 10% of all strokes in the United States, and carries with it a significantly high morbidity and mortality. SUMMARY: This article reviews the course and management of ICH. The most common chronic vascular diseases that lead to ICH are chronic hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Additional factors that predispose to ICH include vascular malformations, chronic alcohol use, hypocholesterolemia, and use of anticoagulant medications. The understanding of mechanisms leading to ICH has advanced significantly, but questions regarding site predilection and timing of spontaneous hemorrhage still remain. Management in the acute setting is first focused on reducing hematoma expansion. Although no specific therapy has yet been proven effective, promising agents, particularly recombinant Factor VIIa, are on the horizon. Subsequent care is focused on controlling hemostasis, hemodynamics, and intracranial pressure in efforts to minimize secondary brain injury. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality associated with ICH remain high despite recent advances in our understanding of the clinical course of ICH. Novel preventive and acute treatment therapies are needed and may be on the horizon.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMed2004

Achieving normothermia in patients with febrile subarachnoid hemorrhage: feasibility and safety of a novel intravascular cooling catheter.

INTRODUCTION: Fever is common and difficult to control in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We have previously shown an inverse relationship between fever and outcome in patients with SAH. MATERIALS/METHODS: This was a prospective, single-arm, feasibility trial in which nine patients with SAH underwent temperature management using an intravascular cooling catheter (ICC) to restore and maintain 24 hours of normothermia (36.5 degrees+/-0.2 degrees C). Enrollment occurred after development of a fever of at least 38.3 degrees C within 7 days of SAH that was refractory to acetaminophen treatment. The ICC was placed at the bedside through an introducer sheath via the femoral vein into the inferior vena cava (IVC). Portable X-ray confirmed placement. RESULTS: Normothermia was achieved in seven of the nine patients treated (78%); it was achieved in 100% of the patients with a 14F catheter (n=4) and in 60% of the patients with a 9F catheter (n=5). The two patients not reaching normothermia were not adequately treated for shivering. All other patients reached normothermia irrespective of intubation status. Overall, normothermia was well tolerated and not discontinued because of discomfort or adverse events. Two incidences of deep vein thrombosis were diagnosis by ultrasound that were not associated with clinical sequelae, and IVC filters were placed. No unanticipated adverse events occurred. DISCUSSION: We have demonstrated that fever can be safely and effectively controlled in patients with SAH for at least 24 hours using an ICC. Future studies are needed to assess the effect of such sustained therapy on outcome in patients with SAH.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Celsius Control system.

The Celsius Control system (Innercool Therapies, Inc.) is an intravascular cooling catheter system consisting of the Celsius Control catheter,circulating set, and the Celsius Control console. Based on clinical studies, the system has recently received Food and Drug Administration approval for use as a device to induce, maintain, and reverse mild hypothermia in neurosurgical patients in surgery and recovery/intensive care, and is currently being marketed in the 10.7 Fr and 14 Fr catheter sizes. It works to regulate temperature by circulating sterile saline through the Celsius Control console, which contains an integrated assembly comprising a temperature and pressure sensing block,supply and return lines, and a 20-{m} filter with connective tubing and an independent heat exchanger and pump. The system relies on digital core temperature readings from either esophageal or bladder temperature probes. After the system is turned on, approximately 150 mL of sterile saline solution is pumped through the console and is cooled to achieve the preset temperature. This cooled saline subsequently circulates from the console through the catheter in a closed-loop manner. The distal portion of the catheter incorporates a flexible distal metallic heat transfer element that is designed to allow for direct exchange of thermal energy with blood circulating around the catheter.

Catheterization↗

PubMed2004

Preliminary experience with intra-arterial nicardipine as a treatment for cerebral vasospasm.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Papaverine is the primary intra-arterial (IA) treatment for vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, is it limited in effect and by adverse effects. We prospectively studied the use of IA nicardipine as a treatment for vasospasm. METHODS: Over 12 months, all patients with SAH who required interventional treatment for vasospasm were given IA nicardipine with or without angioplasty. Vasospasm was determined by serial clinical assessments and/or daily transcranial Doppler (TCD) imaging and confirmed by angiography. Doses of IA nicardipine per vessel were 0.5-6 mg. All patients were monitored for increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and change in cardiovascular or neurologic status. RESULTS: Forty-four vessels in 18 patients with vasospasm were treated with IA nicardipine alone. TCD data for 38 vessels (15 cases) were available. All vessels demonstrated immediate angiographic dilatation after IA nicardipine. No sustained cardiovascular changes were after treatment. ICP was transiently elevated in five patients and persistently elevated in one. Mean peak systolic velocities at TCD imaging were significantly reduced from pretreatment values in all treated vessels for 4 days after infusion (268.9 +/- 77.8 vs 197.6 +/- 74.1 cm/s, P <.001). Neurologic improvement after IA nicardipine occurred in eight (42.1%) patients. No clinical deterioration was noted. CONCLUSION: As shown by TCD imaging, IA nicardipine has an immediate and sustained effect on vasospasm. It does not appear to have sustained effect on ICP or cardiovascular status. This treatment warrants further study to determine its safety and efficacy.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Cognitive and physiologic correlates of subclinical structural brain disease in elderly healthy control subjects.

CONTEXT: Healthy elderly persons commonly show 4 types of change in brain structure-cortical atrophy, central atrophy, deep white-matter hyperintensities, and periventricular hyperintensities-as forms of subclinical structural brain disease (SSBD). OBJECTIVES: To characterize the volumes of SSBD present with aging and to determine the associations of SSBD, physiology, and cognitive function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University of California, Los Angeles, Neuropsychiatric Institute. SUBJECTS: Forty-three community-dwelling healthy control subjects, aged 60 through 93 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging, neuropsychological testing, and quantitative electroencephalographic coherence (functional connectivity) between brain regions. RESULTS: Regression models demonstrated significant relationships between SSBD volumes, age, cognitive performance, and connectivity. Cortical and central atrophy and periventricular hyperintensities had significant associations with age while deep white-matter hyperintensities did not. Posterior atrophy showed stronger associations with age than did anterior atrophy. Only a subset of subjects at older ages showed large SSBD volumes; older subjects primarily showed increasing variance of SSBD. Although all subjects scored within the normal range on cognitive testing, SSBD volume was inversely related to performance, most notably on the Trail-Making Test part B and the Shipley-Hartford Abstract Reasoning test. Coherence had significant associations with SSBD. Path analysis supported mediation of the effects of deep white-matter hyperintensities and periventricular hyperintensities on cognition by altered connectivity. For several measures, cognitive performance was best explained by coherence, and only secondarily by SSBD. CONCLUSIONS: Modest volumes of SSBD were associated with decrements in cognitive performance within the normal range in healthy subjects. Lower coherence was associated with greater volumes of SSBD and increasing age. Path analysis models suggest that brain functional connectivity mediates some effects of SSBD on cognition.

Aged↗