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In the neuroscience intensive care unit (NICU), most patients lack the capacity to make their own preferences known. This fact leads to situations where surrogate decision makers must fill the role of the patient in terms of making preference-based treatment decisions, oftentimes in challenging situations where prognosis is uncertain. The neurointensivist has a large responsibility and role to play in this shared decision making process. This review covers how NICU patient preferences are determined through existing advance care documentation or surrogate decision makers and how the optimum roles of the physician and surrogate decision maker are addressed. We outline the process of reaching a shared decision between family and care team and describe a practice for conducting optimum family meetings based on studies of ICU families in crisis. We review challenges in the decision making process between surrogate decision makers and medical teams in neurocritical care settings, as well as methods to ameliorate conflicts. Ultimately, the goal of shared decision making is to increase knowledge amongst surrogates and care providers, decrease decisional conflict, promote realistic expectations and preference-centered treatment strategies, and lift the emotional burden on families of neurocritical care patients.

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Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most disabling and deadly form of stroke. Although mortality remains high, new data suggest that outcomes can be improved with standardized medical care. In this review, the authors outline the most up-to-date knowledge, including the results of the latest phase III clinical trials on the specialized care needed to treat patients with ICH. They provide an overview on how to achieve rapid diagnosis and the initial steps of intervention to reduce hematoma volume or prevent expansion by modifying potentially treatable conditions, such as underlying vascular etiologies, blood pressure control, and coagulopathies. Grading scales can help identify patients at risk for hematoma expansion and functional disabilities and guide clinical decision making. Other medical management topics important to recovery and prevention of secondary brain injury include seizure prevention and treatment, glycemic control, temperature control, and deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis and treatment. Treatment options in surgery are also possible in select patients; there are emerging studies regarding minimally invasive surgery for the management of ICH. These aggressive therapies are essential to lower the morbidity and mortality of patients presenting with ICH.