Presentation
Elevated levels of the brain-specific S100B protein are present in many septic patients and reflect the severity of SAE. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Key historical findings are presented, and the reciprocal interactions between the brain and the immune system are examined. [books.google.com]
Entire Body System
- Acutely Ill Patient
Vincent JL, Sakr Y, Sprung CL et al Sepsis Occurrence in Acutely Ill Patients Investigators. Sepsis in European intensive care units: results of the SOAP study. Crit Care Med. 2006;34(2):344–53 CrossRef PubMed Google Scholar 4. [link.springer.com]
In Europe, severe sepsis affects 90.4 cases per 100 000 adult residents per year and an overall hospital mortality of 36% described in the last Sepsis Occurrence in Acutely ill Patients (SOAP) study [ 1 ]. [journals.plos.org]
Neurologic
- Confusion
Patients underwent a daily cognitive assessment with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) test. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (55%) were found to present confusion. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
It can range from slight confusion to coma and can be, although rarely, accompanied by focal neurological signs. [scitechnol.com]
This condition can cause mild confusion to deep coma. Wernicke encephalopathy Also known as Wernicke’s disease, this condition is a result of vitamin B-1 deficiency. [healthline.com]
Defined as brain dysfunction due to sepsis and SIRS Also called sepsis-associated delirium Clinically, acute impairment in the level of consciousness and confusion (manifested by alteration in attention, disorientation and concentration up to [slideshare.net]
[…] consciousness that consists of three types: Type B: HE associated with portal-systemic bypass without intrinsic hepatocellular damage Type C: HE associated with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) or cirrhosis with portal-systemic shunt HE can range from minimal confusion [clinicaladvisor.com]
- Cognitive Impairment
Definitions CCC — Long-term cognitive impairment in critically ill patients Journal articles Ebersoldt M, Sharshar T, Annane D. [lifeinthefastlane.com]
Moreover, sepsis survivors can suffer from long-term cognitive impairments that impact their quality of life. [clinicaltrials.gov]
It is characterized as an acute impairment of cognition, with a fluctuating course, impaired attention, and altered level of consciousness. [alvinandassociateslnc.com]
It is unclear, however, how much of the risk for cognitive impairment after sepsis is due to pre-existing cognitive impairment, frailty, or lingering sedation effects, he said. [mdedge.com]
Long-term sequelae of severe sepsis: cognitive impairment and structural brain alterations - an MRI study (LossCog MRI). [link.springer.com]
- Stupor
"The first manifestation of SAE is an acute change in mental status, ranging from inattention, disorientation, agitation, somnolence, stupor and coma," the authors write. There is no specific treatment for SAE. [news-medical.net]
SAE can also lead to stupor and coma. This is the most common encephalopathy in the ICU. [alvinandassociateslnc.com]
Arousable by loud voice commands, but immediately lapses into stupor without further response. MAP failed to improve with further increase in norepinephrine. CPP < 50 despite increase of ventilatory rate in an effort to decrease ICP. [rense.com]
The overall incidence rate ratio (IRR) for seizures among sepsis survivors was about 5, but was higher for those who also had neurologic dysfunction (such as encephalopathy, delirium, coma, or stupor) during their index hospitalization than in those without [mdedge.com]
- Altered Mental Status
Clinical features of SAE include change in mental status (altered mental status/ AMS), disturbances in mental processes, agitation, disorientation, impaired attention, hypersomnolence, delirium or coma. [clinicaltrials.gov]
The main sign of SAE is an altered mental status. Electroencephalography is the more sensitive diagnostic test, and allows the grading of the severity of cerebral dysfunction that is related to outcome. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Like altered mental status, and unlike lactate, tachypnea does not require a blood test. [emdocs.net]
mental status and seizures of 1 day duration. [neurologyindia.com]
Neurotoxicity developed 6 days after positive cultures with altered mental status and blood pressure 128/80 mm Hg. [ajnr.org]
- Somnolence
"The first manifestation of SAE is an acute change in mental status, ranging from inattention, disorientation, agitation, somnolence, stupor and coma," the authors write. There is no specific treatment for SAE. [news-medical.net]
[…] euphoria or anxiety, shortened attention span, impaired performance of addition or subtraction Grade II Lethargy or apathy, minimal disorientation for time or place, subtle personality change, inappropriate behavior, asterixis usually present Grade III Somnolence [clinicaladvisor.com]
Somnolent but can be aroused, unable to perform mental tasks, gross disorientation about time and place, marked confusion, amnesia, occasional fits of rage, present but incomprehensible speech. Stage 4. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
Workup
When seizure activity must be ruled out, an EEG may be helpful in the initial workup of a patient with cirrhosis and altered mental status. EEG studies are not required to make a confident diagnosis of HE. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
EEG
- Triphasic Waves
EEGs were classified into five groups: normal, excessive theta, predominant delta, triphasic waves, and suppression or burst suppression, in ascending order of severity. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
No specific test available 1) Electroencephalography (EEG) Most sensitive diagnostic tool Normal, diffuse slowing, excessive theta, predominantly delta, triphasic waves, and suppression or burst suppression Non-specific 13. 2) Short-latency [slideshare.net]
[…] and triphasic waves. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
- EEG Suppression
Patients with lethal outcome were more likely to be female (p=0.0011), to have focal seizures (p=0.034), lower values of GCS during hospitalization (p CONCLUSION: Presence of focal seizures, EEG suppression at the time of exacerbation in SAE elderly patients [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Other Pathologies
- White Matter Lesions
MRI revealed unilateral subcortical white matter lesions in the right hemisphere. She was diagnosed as having sepsis-associated encephalopathy and was treated with dexamethasone and midazolam. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Repeat study after 4 weeks showed diminished white matter edema and the resolution of the petechial lesions. [jdrntruhs.org]
Etiology of cortical and white matter lesions in cyclosporin-A and FK-506 neurotoxicity. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2001 ; 22 : 1901 –14 ↵ Schwartz RB, Bravo SM, Klufas RA, et al. [ajnr.org]
Treatment
METHODS: All patients received standard goal-directed resuscitation treatment. Patients with pre-existing or acute neurological disorders were excluded. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Found useful in animal model. 20. Experimental treatment-Magnesium, glutamate release inhibitor riluzole or an antioxidant treatment, selective antagonists of pro-inflammatory cytokine receptors Coupled plasma filtration adsorption, an extracorporal [slideshare.net]
Prognosis
SAE is potentially reversible, but it always worsens the prognosis. Pathophysiology of SAE is not still completely understood, and it is probably multifactorial. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Important features include information on neurologic complications in organ transplant recipients, muscle and nerve injury in critical illness, status epilepticus, cerebral edema, multisystem trauma including cervical spine and traumatic brain injury, and prognosis [books.google.com]
Etiology
"The spectrum of septic encephalopathy: definitions, etiologies, and mortalities." Jama 275.6 (1996): 470-473. Flierl, Michael A., et al. "Pathophysiology of septic encephalopathy—an unsolved puzzle." [derangedphysiology.com]
Interestingly - in patients - elevated procalcitonin was associated with delirum in both infectious and non-infectious etiologies. [pulmccm.org]
Definitions, etiologies, and mortalities. JAMA. 1996;275(6):470–3 CrossRef PubMed Google Scholar 7. Sonneville R, Verdonk F, Rauturier C et al. Understanding brain dysfunction in sepsis. [link.springer.com]
Pathophysiology There is not a single clear etiology that accounts for the occurrence of HE. [clinicaladvisor.com]
Etiology of cortical and white matter lesions in cyclosporin-A and FK-506 neurotoxicity. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2001 ; 22 : 1901 –14 ↵ Schwartz RB, Bravo SM, Klufas RA, et al. [ajnr.org]
Epidemiology
However, the incidence, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features and risk factors for sepsis-associated encephalopathy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Leng, Iris (committee member) Santos, Cesar (committee member) date 2009-08-07T14:13:06Z (accessioned) 2010-06-18T19:00:03Z (accessioned) 2009-08-07T14:13:06Z (available) 2010-06-18T19:00:03Z (available) 2009-08-07T14:13:06Z (issued) degree Clinical Epidemiology [wakespace.lib.wfu.edu]
Página 93 - Epidemiology of severe sepsis in the United States: analysis of incidence, outcome, and associated costs of care. [books.google.es]
Sanford, JP (1985) Epidemiology and overview of the problem. In: Septic Shock pp. 1–11, Root, RK, Sande, MA (Eds) Churchill Livingstone, New York. [cambridge.org]
Pathophysiology
Although the pathophysiology of SAE is incompletely understood, it is thought to involve endothelial activation, blood-brain barrier leakage, inflammatory cell migration, and neuronal loss with neurotransmitter imbalance. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prevention
Further research into the pathophysiology, management and prevention of SAE is needed. This Review discusses the epidemiology and clinical presentation of SAE. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Current philosophy in sepsis management is drifting towards reactivating surviving “dysfunctional/hibernating” cells, including immune system’s own, rather than preventing the non-reachable acute destructive wave of immune activation. [research.pasteur.fr]
Página 220 - American Thoracic Society: Hospital-acquired pneumonia in adults: Diagnosis, assessment of severity, initial antimicrobial therapy, and preventive strategies. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995;153:1711. [books.google.es]
Some types of encephalopathy — such as hereditary types — are not preventable. However, other types are preventable. [healthline.com]