Our findings suggest that admission to a dedicated NeuroICU significantly improves the neurological outcomes of patients with brain and spine injuries, including their postoperative care, in Korea.

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with vascular risk factors; brain ischemia facilitates the pathogenesis of AD. Recent studies have suggested that the reduction of AD risk with statin was achieved by decreased amyloidogenic amyloid precursor protein.MethodsWe used mitochondrial transgenic neuronal cell (cybrid) models to investigate changes in the levels of intracellular hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) in the presence of simvastatin. Sporadic AD (SAD) and age-matched control (CTL) cybrids were exposed to 2 % O2 and incubated with 1 μM or 10 μM simvastatin.ResultsThere was no significant difference between cell survival by 1 or 10 μM simvastatin in both SAD and CTL cybrids. In the presence of 1 μM simvastatin, intracellular levels of HIF-1α and BACE decreased by 40–70 % in SAD, but not CTL cybrids. However, 10 μM simvastatin increased HIF-1α and BACE expression in both cybrid models.ConclusionOur results suggest demonstrate differential dose-dependent effects of simvastatin on HIF-1α and BACE in cultured Alzheimer’s disease cybrid cells.

Background and purposeThere is much uncertainty in endovascular treatment (EVT) decisions in patients with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) and mild neurological deficits.MethodsFrom a prospective, nationwide stroke registry, all patients with LVO and baseline NIHSS <6 presenting within 24 h from the time last known well (LKW) were included. Early neurological deterioration (END) developed before EVT was prospectively collected as an increasing total NIHSS score ≥2 or any worsening of the NIHSS consciousness or motor subscores during hospitalization not related to EVT. Significant hemorrhage was defined as PH2 hemorrhagic transformation or hemorrhage at a remote site. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was prospectively collected at 3 months.ResultsAmong 1,083 patients, 149 (14%) patients received EVT after a median of 5.9 [3.6–12.3] h after LKW. In propensity score-matched analyses, EVT was not associated with mRS 0-1 (matched OR 0.99 [0.63–1.54]) but increased the risk of a significant hemorrhage (matched OR, 4.51 [1.59–12.80]). Extraneous END occurred in 207 (19%) patients after a median of 24.5 h [IQR, 13.5–41.9 h] after LKW (incidence rate, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.23–1.62] per 100 person-hours). END unrelated to EVT showed a tendency to modify the effectiveness of EVT (P-for-interaction, 0.08), which decreased the odds of having mRS 0–1 in mild LVO patients without END (adjusted OR, 0.63 [0.40–0.99]).ConclusionsThe use of EVT in patients with acute LVO and low NIHSS scores may require the assessment of individual risks of early deterioration, hemorrhagic complications and expected benefit.

Background: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is one of the most commonly performed procedures on critically ill patients, and many studies have shown the safety and feasibility of PDT, but there is limited data of PDT in neurocritical care units. We described our experience on PDT performed by neurointensivist. Methods:The PDTs were performed by a neurointensivist at the bedside using the Griggs guide wire dilating forceps technique. To confirm a secure puncture site, the PDT was done under fiberoptic bronchoscopic guidance. From September 2015 to August 2017, procedural data were prospectively collected, and the patients' demographic and clinical characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed immediate complications of PDT as the primary outcome. Results:The PDTs were performed for 46 patients; and the mean age was 65.9 years, 26 (56.5%) were male, and the mean acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score was 20.5. Overall, the procedural success rate was 100%, and the mean procedural time was 19.7±9.3 minutes. Periprocedural complications occurred in 13 (28.3%) patients; with 10 having minor bleeding and three having a tracheal ring fracture. There were no serious periprocedural complications of PDT. Conclusion:From our experience, the PDT in the neurocritical care unit was safe and feasible and was implemented without serious complications.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and accounts for a significant burden not only in Western countries [1,2] but also in Asian countries including Korea [3]. Several studies have shown that women have a worse prognosis than men after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) [4-7]. The worse outcome in women might be relat