CCP 214 Neurological Emergencies π§ Flashcards
RASS +4
+4 Combative Overtly combative or violent; immediate danger to staff
RASS +3
+3 Very agitation Pulls on or removes tube(s) or catheter(s) or has aggressive behavior⨠toward staff
RASS +2
+2 Agitated Frequent nonpurposeful movement or patientβventilator dyssynchrony
RASS +1
Restless, Anxious, or apprehensive, but movements not aggressive or vigorous
RASS 0
0 Alert and calm
RASS -1
β1 Drowsy Not fully alert, but has sustained (more than 10 seconds) awakening,β¨ with eye contact, to voice
RASS -2
β2 Light sedation Briefly (less than 10 seconds) awakens with eye contact to voice
RASS -3
β3 Moderate sedation Any movement (but no eye contact) to voice
RASS -4
β4 Deep sedation No response to voice, but any movement to physical stimulation
RASS -5
β5 Unarousable No response to voice or physical stimulation
basal ganglia function
- fine-tune the voluntary movements
- fluidity of movement
Injury to the basal ganglia (such as in Parkinsonβs) results in rigid movement
prefrontal cortex function
- Behaviour and executive function
2. purposeful mental action (reasoning)
occipital lobe function
- interpreting sensory information from the eyes (CN II)
2. primary visual cortex
temporal lobe function
short and long-term memory
parietal lobe function
integrating sensory information from various parts of the body
thalamus function
relays motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex
location of the brainβs respiratory centre
medulla oblongata and pons (brainstem)
location of the reticular activating system
The midbrain
Components of the brain stem exam
- Mode of ventilation
- Sedation level
- AVPU/Motor response/GCS
- Open eyes - is there movement? (CN III, midbrain)
- Pupil response to light (CN II, III, midbrain)
- Cough (CN X, medulla)
- Corneal (CN V, VII, pons)
- Gag (CN IX, X, medulla)
- Evaluate intrinsic respiratory drive (respiratory center, medulla)
- Tone (flaccid, rigid, spastic)
- Reflexes (Biceps C5, C6; Triceps C6, C7, C8; Brachioradialis C5, C6, C7; Patellar L2, L3, L4; Achilles tendon S1, S2; Plantar/Babinski; oculocephalic [Dolls Eyes] reflex CN VIII)
GCS M5 motor score correlates to what level of cortical dysfunction
minor dysfunction of the cerebral cortex
GCS M4 motor score correlates to what level of cortical dysfunction
Severe dysfunction of the cerebral cortex
GCS M3 motor score correlates to what level of cortical dysfunction
Severe damage above the brainstem (ie. thalamus)
GCS M2 motor score is correlated to what level of brain dysfunction
Dysfunction below the thalamus (brainstem involvement)
GCS M1 motor score is correlated to what level of brain dysfunction
Severe dysfunction of cerebral cortex with or without dysfunction of the brainstem
Brocaβs area function
Expressive speech
Wernickeβs area function
Receptive speech interpretation and comprehension
Most effective interventions in reducing ICP
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
- Temp control (parenchyma volume and blood volume)
- PaCO2 control (intracranial blood volume)
- HOB 30 degrees (intracranial blood volume)
- Loosen tube ties/cervical collar/in-line neck positioning (intracranial blood volume)
- EVD (intracranial CSF volume)
Intracranial pressures (normal, abnormal, severe)
- Normal 5-15mmHg
- Abnormal > 20mmHg
- Severe > 40mmHg
Comprehensive neuro exam in an intubated patient
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
- Mode of ventilation
- Sedation level
- AVPU/Motor response/GCS
- Open eyes - is there movement? (CN III, midbrain)
- Pupil response to light (CN II, III, midbrain)
- Cough (CN X, medulla)
- Corneal reflex (CN V, VII, pons)
- Gag (CN IX, X, medulla)
- Evaluate intrinsic respiratory drive (respiratory center, medulla)
- Tone (flaccid, rigid, spastic)
- Reflexes (Biceps C5, C6; Triceps C6, C7, C8; Brachioradialis C5, C6, C7; Patellar L2, L3, L4; Achilles tendon S1, S2; Plantar/Babinski)
normal ICP values
- Normal adult range: 5-15 mmHg
- Intracranial hypertension: 20-30 mmHg
- Severe intracranial hypertension: >30 mmHg
Anything above 20mmHg is considered for treatment
functions of the cerebellum
- motor control
- Coordination of movement
- Balance/equilibrium
- regulation of Muscle tone
tentorium function
fold in the dura mater that separates the upper brain (supratentorium) from the lower brain (infatentorium) at the level of the cerebellar/occipital interface
cranial nerves originating from the pons
- trigeminal nerve (CN V)
- abducens nerve (CN VI)
- facial nerve (CN VII)
- vestibulocochlear (VIII)
cranial nerves originating from the medulla
- glossopharyngeal (CN IX)
- vagus (CN X)
- accessory (CN XI)
- hypoglossal (CN XII)
right sided cerebral blood flow pathway from LV to brain (anterior)
Aorta -> brachiocephalic -> right common carotid -> internal carotid -> circle of Willis -> MCA/AComm/ACA
right sided cerebral blood flow pathway from LV to brain (posterior)
Aorta -> brachiocephalic -> right vertebral artery -> basilar -> PCA/PComm
left sided cerebral blood flow pathway from LV to brain (anterior)
Aorta -> left common carotid -> left internal carotid -> circle of Willis -> MCA/AComm/ACA
left sided cerebral blood flow pathway from LV to brain (posterior)
Aorta -> left subclavian -> left vertebral -> basilar -> PCA/PComm
main vessels that arise from the Circle of Willis
- Middle cerebral arteries (MCA)
- Anterior cerebral arteries (ACA)
- Posterior cerebral arteries (PCA)
three types of cerebral aneurysms
fusiform, saccular, and berry
most common type of cerebral aneurysm
- Berry shaped aneurysm at a vessel bifurcation
2. The ACommA is the most common site for berry aneurysms and SAH
sudden onset dizziness, gaze palsy, nystagmus, N/V, ataxia, gait disturbance and incontinence
Cerebellar stroke (cerebellum regulates motor movements)
Potential clinical manifestations of basilar artery stroke (pons ischemia)
- Locked In Syndrome (total muscle paralysis)
2. Drop attacks
Potential clinical manifestation of PCA stroke (occipital ischemia)
vision impairment (blindness, hemianopsia)
βClassicβ clinical findings in uncal herniation
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
- ipsilateral dilated pupil that is unresponsive to light (CN III compression)
- altered mental status/coma
- contralateral hemiparesis
modified CN exam
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
- Open eyes, assess symmetry and size (midbrain CN II, III)
- Constriction x 2 pupils in response to light (midbrain CN II, III)
- Corneal reflex - eyes should blink (superior pons; middle pons CN V, VII)
- Dollβs eyes test if no c-spine concerns (inferior pons, CN VIII)
- Gag reflex (superior medulla, CN IX, X)
- Cough reflex (superior medulla, CN X)
- Respiratory drive (middle medulla)
key items not to miss on a CNS report
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
- Confounders such as sedation, hypothermia
- Brainstem reflexes, including any apneic periods
- GCS, especially motor exam
GCS - M6
Obeys
- Obeys commands. Can look right/left, stick out tongue and give a thumbs up or wiggle fingers/toes
- Squeezing the hands is a primitively response so avoid assessing it.
- Indicates cortex is intact.
Score a GCS - M5
Localizes
- Place arms at ptβs side and provide a pain stimulus (trap squeeze, supraorbital pressure). Ptβs contralateral arm must move across midline.
- Indicates cortex is intact, but dysfunctional.
Score a GCS - M4
Withdraws
- Place ptβs hands on abdo and provide constant fingernail stimuli. Ptβs hand must curl and pull away.
- Indicates severe cortical dysfunction.
Score a GCS - M3
Abnormal Flexion
- Place ptβs hands on abdomen and provide firm nail bed pressure. Ptβs hand must supinate and bicep will flex
- Indicates dysfunction to thalami (internal capsule)
Score a GCS - M2
Abnormal Extension
- Place ptβs hands on abdomen and apply constant fingernail pressure
- Ptβs arms must fully extend with flexed triceps and hands rotated outwards
- Feet will point down
- Indicates dysfunction below the thalami (midbrain)
CNS reflex exam
Biceps C5, C6 Triceps C6, C7, C8 Brachioradialis C5, C6, C7 Patellar L2, L3, L4 Achilles tendon S1, S2
Grade on a scale of absent -> normal -> brisk
babinski reflex
- Stimulation of the lateral plantar aspect of the foot
- normally leads to plantar flexion of the toes (The toes curl down and inward)
- Babinski sign is positive when there is extension (dorsiflexion or upward movement) of the big toe +/- fanning of the other toes
- Positive Babinski is indicative of Upper Motor Neuron damage
dysarthria definition
- the muscles used for speech are weak (CN V, VII, IX, X, XII)
- Dysarthria causes slurred or slow speech that can be difficult to understand
dysphasia definition
- Dysphasia is a language disorder
- areas of the brain responsible for turning thoughts into spoken language are damaged and canβt function properly
- affects the ability to produce and understand spoken language
MOA for mannitol in controlling ICP
- Simple sugar which acts as an osmotic diuretic
- increased tonicity from the mannitol draws water out of the brain parenchyma and into the intravascular space via osmosis/diffusion
- water then travels with the mannitol to the kidneys where it gets excreted in the urine.
βDries out the brainβ
MOA for HTS in controlling ICP
- Dehydration of brain tissue by creation of an osmotic gradient
- Draws water from the parenchyma into the intravascular space
- Improved systemic volume improves cerebral perfusion via improvement in MAP in hypotensive poly trauma patients
How much fluid must you replace when using mannitol for reduction in ICP?
Measure urinary output and replace fluid (normal saline) at a 1:1 ratio
indications for anticonvulsant therapy in TBI
- Hx of seizure associated with the TBI
- Temporal lobe pathology
- Depressed/open skull fracture
- Penetrating trauma to the cranium
initial bundle of care for brain injury
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
- MAP > 80 mmHg, SBP < 110-160 mmHg
- Normal temp (avoid hyperthermia)
- PaCO2 35-40 mmHg (target normal)
- PaO2 80-120 mmHg (target normal)
- Hgb > 90 g/L
- HOB 30Β°, loosen collars/ties
- Optimize platelets/INR
- Propofol/ketamine to RASS -4
WFNS (World Federal association of Neurosurgeons) score for SAH
- GCS 15, motor deficit absent
- GCS 13-14, motor deficit absent
- GCS 13-14, motor deficit present
- GCS 7-12 motor deficit present or absent
- GCS 3-6 motor deficit present or absent
DIMS mnemonic for differentiating seizures
Drugs
Infection
Metabolic and Endocrine
Structural (CNS)
clinical triad of symptoms in bacterial meningitis
- Fever
- Neuro symptoms (AMS/headache/photophobia/seizure)
- Nuchal rigidity
encephalitis definition
- inflammation of the brain, caused by infection or an allergic reaction
- most commonly viral
differentials for bilateral pinpoint pupils (miosis)
- Opioid overdose
- Pons bleed
- Cholinergic toxicity
Dosing for HTS in elevated ICP
- Elevated ICP: 3mL/kg (3% HTS)
2. Brain Herniation: 5mL/kg (3% HTS)
Dosing for mannitol in elevated ICP
- Elevated ICP: 0.25-0.5g/kg βmaintenance doseβ
2. Herniation: 1g/kg βherniation doseβ
BP goal for an unsecured aneurysmal SAH
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
SBP < 140 mmHg
BP goals for ischemic CVA
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
- Pre lysis (r-TPA): SBP < 185 mmHg DBP <110 mmHg
- post lysis (r-TPA): SBP < 180 mmHg DBP <105 mmHg
- No lysis: SBP <220 mmHg DBP <120 mmHg
BP goals for acute hemorrhagic CVA
π΅π΅π΅π΅ MONEY SLIDE π΅π΅π΅π΅
SBP < 140 mmHg
in the literature youβre gonna see a range from 140-160 for SBP, however for our purposes in BCEHS target <140. SBP of 160 is the upper limit of what is maximally acceptable
name the various herniation syndromes
- Subfalcine herniation (shifts under the falx cerebri)
- Transtentorial uncal herniation (anteromedial portion of temporal lobe (uncus) herniates medially into tentorial notch β compression on CN3)
- Central (trans-tentorial) herniation
- Cerebellar tonsillar herniation (herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum β brainstem compression)
- Transcalvarial herniation (blowinβ out through a hole in the skullβ¦)
ctyotoxic edema definition
- cerebral intracellular edema as a result of cells being unable to maintain ATP-dependent sodium/potassium (Na+/K+) membrane pumps which are responsible for high extracellular and low intracellular Na+ concentration
- Na+ accumulates within the cell, drawing with it chloride (Cl-) and water along an osmotic gradient
- CytE contributes to brain swelling with a resultant increase of intracranial pressure (ICP)
vasogenic edema definition
- cerebral extracellular edema which mainly affects the white matter via leakage of fluid from capillaries
- Vasogenic edema is characterized by extravasation and extracellular accumulation of fluid into the cerebral parenchyma caused by disruption of the BBB
- an insult to the blood vessels initiates the inflammatory cascade, vessel walls become more permeable and leak oncotic agents into interstitium
What is the danger in giving labetalol or hydralazine in TBI to control the BP?
- Hypertension often occurs transiently in TBI.
- If you give labetalol or hydralazine during an episode of transient compensatory HTN, those drugs can stay in the system long after the BP starts to naturally come down on its own. This will result in refractory hypotension (with decreased CPP)
- A better solution is to use escalating doses of propofol to augment your BP to achieve hemodynamic targets (fast on, fast off, easily titratable)
CCP treatment pathway for reducing ICP (Monroe-Kelly doctrine)
- Parenchyma (HTS, mannitol)
- Blood (PaCO2, BP, HOB 30 degrees, loosen collars/tube ties, OG, minimal PEEP, temperature control, sedation)
- CSF (EVD)
Cerebral Salt Wasting (CSW) definition
- endocrine condition characterized by hyponatremia and extracellular fluid depletion in response to acute disease in central nervous system (CNS), usually subarachnoid hemorrhage
- impaired sodium reabsorption β volume depletion, increased ADH release, hyponatremia d/t the associated water retention, and possibly increased neurologic injury