A retrospective analysis of surgical outcomes for acute subdural hematoma in an elderly cohort

Background: Acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) in the elderly is an increasingly important public health issue. Mortality rate in this population can be as high as 90% (Copper et al., 1976; Cagetti et al., 1992; Taussky et al., 2012; Hanif, 2009; Raj et al., 2016; Luerssen et al., 1988). Objective: The goal of this study is to examine outcomes for patients 70 years and older who underwent craniotomy for aSDH. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients 70 years and older who underwent craniotomy for evacuation of aSDH between 2006 and 2016. Patients with subacute, chronic, acute-on-chronic SDH and those considered too neurologically devastated to benefit from surgery were excluded. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent clinical factors associated with mortality. Results: A total of 1953 elderly patients with SDH were seen between 2006 and 2016. 1325 patients had non-surgical SDH, 307 were too neurologically devastated to benefit from surgery, and 321 elderly patients had surgery. 112 patients had a craniotomy for aSDH. The overall mortality rate was 42%. 24% of patients were discharged to home or a rehabilitation facility. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and surgery type had a significant impact on mortality. Conclusion: Elderly patients with aSDH requiring surgery have a high likelihood of mortality. 24% of surgical patients were functional enough to go home or to a rehabilitation facility from the hospital. Age over 80 years old, GCS <9, or cerebral edema significant enough to warrant decompressive craniectomy were associated with an increased risk of death. Keywords: Acute subdural hematoma (aSDH), Long term acute care (LTAC), Rehabilitation facility (rehab), Skilled nursing facility (SNF

A novel specific aptamer targets cerebrovascular endothelial cells after ischemic stroke

Abstract Cell specific-targeted therapy (CSTT) for acute ischemic stroke remains underdeveloped. Cerebrovascular endothelial cells (CECs) are key components of the blood–brain barrier and are the first brain cells affected by ischemic stroke. After stroke, CEC injury causes insufficient energy supply to neurons and leads to cytotoxic and vasogenic brain edema. Aptamers are short single-stranded RNA or DNA molecules that can bind to specific ligands for cell specific delivery. The expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is increased on CECs after stroke. Herein, we report that an RNA-based VCAM-1-aptamer can specifically target CECs in stroke brains following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Our data demonstrate the potential of an RNA-based aptamer as an effective delivery platform to target CECs after stroke. We believe this method will allow for the development of CSTT for treatment of patients with stroke

Updates of the role of B-cells in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is a major disease causing death and disability in the elderly and is one of the major diseases that seriously threaten human health and cause a great economic burden. In the early stage of ischemic stroke, neuronal structure is destroyed, resulting in death or damage, and the release of a variety of damage-associated pattern molecules induces an increase in neuroglial activation, peripheral immune response, and secretion of inflammatory mediators, which further exacerbates the damage to the blood–brain barrier, exacerbates cerebral edema, and microcirculatory impairment, triggering secondary brain injuries. After the acute phase of stroke, various immune cells initiate a protective effect, which is released step by step and contributes to the repair of neuronal cells through phenotypic changes. In addition, ischemic stroke induces Central Nervous System (CNS) immunosuppression, and the interaction between the two influences the outcome of stroke. Therefore, modulating the immune response of the CNS to reduce the inflammatory response and immune damage during stroke is important for the protection of brain function and long-term recovery after stroke, and modulating the immune function of the CNS is expected to be a novel therapeutic strategy. However, there are fewer studies on B-cells in brain function protection, which may play a dual role in the stroke process, and the understanding of this cell is still incomplete. We review the existing studies on the mechanisms of the role of B-cells, inflammatory response, and immune response in the development of ischemic stroke and provide a reference for the development of adjuvant therapeutic drugs for ischemic stroke targeting inflammatory injury

Univariate Analysis of Patient Characteristics.

<p>Univariate Analysis of Patient Characteristics.</p

Baseline Patient Characteristics.

<p>Baseline Patient Characteristics.</p

Viral Infections in Immunocompromised Patients. A review

<div><p>Malignant brain edema (MBE) due to hemispheric infarction can result in brain herniation, poor outcomes, and death; outcome may be improved if certain interventions, such as decompressive craniectomy, are performed early. We sought to generate a prediction score to easily identify those patients at high risk for MBE. 121 patients with large hemispheric infarction (LHI) (2011 to 2014) were included. Patients were divided into two groups: those who developed MBE and those who did not. Independent predictors of MBE were identified by logistic regression and a score was developed. Four factors were independently associated with MBE: baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (p = 0.048), Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) (p = 0.007), collateral score (CS) (p<0.001) and revascularization failure (p = 0.013). Points were assigned for each factor as follows: NIHSS ≤ 8 (= 0), 9–17 (= 1), ≥ 18 (= 2); ASPECTS≤ 7 (= 1), >8 (= 0); CS<2 (= 1), ≥2 (= 0); revascularization failure (= 1),success (= 0). The MBE Score (MBES) represents the sum of these individual points. Of 26 patients with a MBES of 0 to 1, none developed MBE. All patients with a MBES of 6 developed MBE. Both MBE development and functional outcomes were strongly associated with the MBES (p = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively). The MBE score is a simple reliable tool for the prediction of MBE.</p></div

Predictors of MBE.

<p>Predictors of MBE.</p

Association of categorized predictors with MBE.

<p>Association of categorized predictors with MBE.</p