Management of blood pressure disorders in individuals with spinal cord injury

Blood pressure regulation is impacted by a spinal cord injury (SCI) due to impaired descending sympathetic vascular control. Common blood pressure problems in the SCI population include persistently low blood pressure with bouts of orthostatic hypotension and autonomic dysreflexia, which are more prevalent in individuals with lesions above the sixth thoracic vertebral level; however, they may occur regardless of the neurological level of injury. Although blood pressure disorders adversely impact daily function and quality of life, most individuals with SCI do not acknowledge this association. Few pharmacological options have been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy to manage blood pressure disorders in the SCI population. Furthermore, clinical management of any one blood pressure disorder may adversely impact others, as such treatment is complicated and not often prioritized.     

Effect of pneumatic leg compression on post-induction hypotension in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: a double-blind randomised controlled trial

Post-induction hypotension is common and associated with postoperative complications. We hypothesised that pneumatic leg compression reduces post-induction hypotension in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. In this double-blind randomised study, patients were allocated randomly to the pneumatic leg compression group (n = 50) or control (n = 50). In the intervention group, pneumatic leg compression was initiated before induction of anaesthesia. In the control group, pneumatic leg compression was initiated 20 min after anaesthesia induction. The primary outcome was the incidence of post-induction hypotension in these groups. Post-induction hypotension was defined as systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg during the first 20 min after induction. Haemodynamic variables and area under the curve of post-induction systolic blood pressure over time were assessed. Complications associated with pneumatic leg compression were recorded, including: peripheral neuropathy; compartment syndrome; extensive bullae beneath the leg sleeves; and pulmonary thromboembolism. The incidence of post-induction hypotension decreased in the pneumatic leg compression group compared with that in the control group; 5 (10%) vs. 29 (58%), respectively, p < 0.001. In the pneumatic leg compression group, the lowest systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures 20 min after induction of anaesthesia were significantly greater than the control group. Pneumatic leg compression resulted in an increased area under the curve of systolic blood pressure in the first 20 min after induction, p = 0.001. There were no pneumatic leg compression-related complications. Pneumatic leg compression reduced post-induction hypotension in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, suggesting that it is an effective and safe intervention to prevent post-induction hypotension among elderly patients undergoing general anaesthesia.     

Association of orthostatic blood pressure with the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension and cognitive impairment in patients with multiple system atrophy

The degree and frequency of orthostatic hypotension (OH) are high in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA); however, the association of orthostatic blood pressure (BP) with the symptoms of OH and cognitive impairment in these patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify whether absolute BP and/or changes in BP during standing are related to OH symptoms and cognitive impairment in patients with MSA. Thirty-two patients with MSA were examined using the head-up tilt and cognitive function tests. OH symptoms were evaluated using a patient-reported scale. The results were compared with those for 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Seventeen of the 32 (53.1%) patients had OH, with eight of them exhibiting OH symptoms, which were related to the absolute BP value at 60° tilt. However, OH symptoms were not related to the degree of decrease in BP during the tilt test, and they were frequently observed in patients with a mean BP of <80 mmHg at 60° tilt (sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 91%). Cognitive dysfunction assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; ≤ 26) was also associated with a low mean BP at 60° tilt (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.67; p = 0.02). The upright BP value is associated with OH symptoms and the MMSE score in patients with MSA. Thus, careful observation of OH symptoms can enable early management of BP and the detection of cognitive impairment in these patients.     

Utility of heavily T2-weighted MR myelography as the first step in CSF leak detection and the planning of epidural blood patches

Heavily T2-weighted MR myelography (HT2W-MRM) is emerging as an alternative approach for detection and follow up of CSF leaks. We aimed to assess epidural blood patch (EBP) treatment outcome when using HT2W-MRM as the primary modality for detecting CSF leak and planning EBP placement in routine clinical practice. Since 2018, patients at our institute suspected of having CSF leak, routinely HT2W-MRM instead of CT myelography to determine presence of the leak and identify the EBP target site. Fifty-nine consecutive patients suspected of having a CSF leak underwent HT2W-MRM. After excluding patients with subdural hematoma and poor image quality, 26 (10 men, 16 women; mean age 44.92 ± 12.6 years) patients were included in this study. Patients received EBP on the basis of HT2W-MRM assessments and clinical assessment. Imaging findings and clinical outcome were evaluated. CSF leak was identified in 21 patients (80.8%, 21/26) based HT2W-MRM. Most cases were graded on a confidence scale as CSF leak definitely (n = 13) or probably (n = 3) present. Successful clinical EBP treatment was achieved in 14 of 17 patients (82.4%) after first targeted EBP, and patient symptoms significantly improved after treatment (numerical rating score 6.4 before EBP, 1.3 after EBP, P < 0.001). HT2W-MRM based EBP are the rational and effective choices for CSF leak treatment in routine clinical practice.     

Patent ductus arteriosus and cerebral,cardiac, and gut hemodynamics in premature neonates

Patent ductus arteriosus is associated with multiple comorbidities in premature infants, however a causal link or strategy to decrease these morbidities has not been found. The association between the patent ductus arteriosus and morbidities has biologic plausibility as, like any cardiac mixing lesion, a significant systemic to pulmonic shunt may lead to pulmonary over-circulation and systemic hypoperfusion. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of associated morbidities in the setting of a patent ductus arteriosus may aid in risk stratifying infants and offer a patient targeted approach to infants with a pathological ductal shunt. While the deleterious impact of increased pulmonary blood flow maybe easier to identify, the impact on end-organ perfusion is more challenging. In this review, we will discuss the pathophysiology of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants, impact on end-organ perfusion and associated morbidities, and novel modalities to assess shunt volume and effect on end-organ perfusion.     

Cerebrospinal fluid hypotension following fall in a child: Case report

CSF hypotension arises in the context of a leak of CSF which causes negative intracranial pressure. Sacral fractures result from high-energy trauma which are frequently underdiagnosed. A ten-year-old boy presented with hip pain, after a fall. He mobilized both lower limbs, reported no leg pain, irradiation nor lack of sphincter control. The neurological examination was normal. When asked to stand, he began biparietal headache, nausea and vomiting, which improved laying down. CT scan showed an occult intrasacral meningocele; the MRI revealed collections of CSF along the spine, a S3 fracture with potential laceration of the meningocele and opening of a CSF fistula. Our diagnosis was the CSF hypotension, secondary to the fistula opening. The diagnosis was challenging. The child first presented with symptoms of CSF hypotension without evident cause. The discovery of the meningocele led us to hypothesize the opening of a fistula, a rare diagnosis, later confirmed by MRI.