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Cerebral vasospasm is determined as a temporary narrowing of cerebral arteries a few days after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The onset of this vascular event usually evolves with new neurological deficits or progression of ischemic areas. The success of interventions to treat or revert this condition is not satisfying. In addition to cerebral vasospasm, early brain injury plays an important role as a contributor to subarachnoid hemorrhage's mortality. In this sense, stellate ganglion block appears as an alternative to reduce sympathetic system's activation, one of the main pathophysiological mechanisms involved in brain injury. Over the past few years, there is growing evidence that stellate ganglion block can contribute to decline patient morbidity from subarachnoid hemorrhage. Is it time to include this procedure as a standard treatment after aneurysm rupture?

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ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence of sonographic vasospasm and delayed ischemic deficit in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, to evaluate the correlation between different tomographic scales and these complications, and to study prognostic factors in this group of patients. Methods: This was a prospective study of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The prevalence of sonographic vasospasm and radiological delayed cerebral ischemia was analyzed, as was the correlation between different tomographic scales and these complications. Results: A total of 57 patients were studied. Sixty percent of the patients developed sonographic vasospasm, which was significantly associated with delayed cerebral ischemia and mortality. The Claassen and Hijdra scales were better correlated with the development of cerebral vasospasm (areas under the curve of 0.78 and 0.68) than was Fisher's scale (0.62). Thirty-two patients (56.1%) developed cerebral infarction on CT; the significantly associated factors were poor clinical grade at admission (p = 0.04), sonographic vasospasm (p = 0.008) and severity of vasospasm (p = 0.015). Only the semiquantitative Hijdra scale was significantly correlated with the development of radiological delayed cerebral ischemia (p = 0.009). The patients who presented cerebral infarction had worse neurological evolution and higher mortality. Conclusion: This is the first study in our environment on the subject. The Claassen and Hijdra tomographic scales showed better prognostic performance than the Fisher scale for the development of cerebral vasospasm. The finding of sonographic vasospasm could be a noninvasive criterion for the early detection of delayed cerebral ischemia and neurological deterioration in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de vasoespasmo sonográfico y déficit isquémico diferido en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática, evaluar la correlación entre las diferentes escalas tomográficas con dichas complicaciones, así como estudiar los factores pronósticos en este grupo de pacientes. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo de pacientes ingresados a la unidad de cuidados intensivos con diagnóstico de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática. Se analizó la prevalencia de vasoespasmo sonográfico e isquemia cerebral diferida radiológica, así como la correlación entre diferentes escalas tomográficas con dichas complicaciones. Resultados: Se estudiaron 57 pacientes. El 60% de los pacientes desarrollaron vasoespasmo sonográfico, el cual se asoció significativamente con isquemia cerebral diferida y mortalidad. Las escalas de Claassen y de Hijdra tuvieron una mejor correlación con el desarrollo de vasoespasmo cerebral (área bajo la curva de 0,78 y 0,68) que la de Fisher (0,62). Treinta y dos pacientes (56,1%) desarrollaron infarto cerebral en la TC, siendo los factores que se asociaron en forma estadísticamente significativa al mismo: pobre grado clínico al ingreso (p = 0,04), vasoespasmo sonográfico (p = 0,008) y severidad del vasoespasmo (p = 0,015). Solamente la escala semicuantitativa de Hijdra se correlacionó significativamente con el desarrollo de isquemia cerebral diferida radiológica (p = 0,009). Los pacientes que presentaron infarto cerebral tuvieron peor evolución neurológica y mayor mortalidad. Conclusion: Se presenta el primer estudio en nuestro medio sobre el tema. Las escalas tomográficas de Claassen y Hijdra presentaron un mejor rendimiento pronóstico que la de Fisher para desarrollo de vasoespasmo cerebral. El hallazgo de vasoespasmo sonográfico podría ser un criterio no invasivo de detección temprana de isquemia cerebral diferida y peoría neurológica en los pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática.

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This case report discusses an elderly male patient (86 years old), suffering from limb pain related to ulcers in the lower limbs resulting from peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Clinically evaluated with the aid of infrared thermal imaging before, during and after treatment, he was submitted to treatment with neuromodulation protocols with REAC Technology, Neuro Postural Optimization (NPO) and Neuropsychophysical Optimization (NPPO) in association with traditional treatments for PAD. It was followed clinically with the aid of infrared thermal imaging of the lower limbs before, during and after treatment. He had a clinical result with a significant reduction in pain and infrared thermal images with complete revascularization of both feet. Evidencing that the treatment of dysfunctional adaptive responses by managing psychological factors often associated with anxiety, depression and stress performed by the REAC NPO and NPPO protocols can be a useful intervention to improve symptoms of patients with lower limb pain and circulatory disturbances.

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TACROLIMUS, a mainstay of immunosuppression after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT), is associated with a broad range of side effects. Vasoconstriction caused by tacrolimus has been proposed as a mechanism underlying common side effects such as hypertension and renal injury. Neurologic side effects attributed to tacrolimus include headaches, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), or reversible cerebral vasospasm syndrome (RCVS). Six case reports have been published describing RCVS in the setting of tacrolimus administration after OHT. The authors report a case of perfusion-dependent focal neurologic deficits attributed to tacrolimus-induced RCVS in an OHT recipient.

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INTRODUCTION: A cerebral vasospasm (CVSP) is a potent vasoconstriction of the cerebral vasculature and the primary cause of morbidity and mortality following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is commonly affected by CVSPs. Concomitant administration of dantrolene and nimodipine synergistically reduces vasospasms in aortic rings from Sprague Dawley rats. To determine if the effects observed in the systemic vasculature extend to the cerebral circulation, we investigated the effect of intravenous administration of dantrolene (2.5 mg/kg) and nimodipine (1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) on MCA blood flow velocity (BFV) 7 days after the induction of CVSPs. METHODS: Vasospasms were induced by bathing the left common carotid artery with autologous whole blood. Age-matched sham rats were used as controls. BFV, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured with a PeriFlux 5000 Laser Doppler System, and a CODA non-invasive blood pressure system, before and after administering the drugs. Morphometric evaluations were also performed to assess vascular alterations. RESULTS: BFV was reduced by 37% with dantrolene alone (n = 6, p ≤ 0.05) and by 27% with 2 mg/kg nimodipine (n = 6, p < 0.05), while it was not affected by 1 mg/kg nimodipine. The combination of 1 mg/kg nimodipine with dantrolene, however, decreased BFV by 35% (from 435.70 ± 21.53 to 284.30 ± 23.13 perfusion units, n = 7, p ≤ 0.05). A similar reduction (31%) was obtained with dantrolene and 2 mg/kg nimodipine (from 536.00 ± 32.61 to 367.80 ± 40.93 perfusion units, n = 6, p ≤ 0.05). Neither MAP nor HR was affected by dantrolene or nimodipine alone. The combination of dantrolene with 2 mg/kg nimodipine, however, decreased MAP and increased HR. Furthermore, 7 days after the induction of vasospasms, lumen area of the left common carotid artery decreased, whereas media thickness and the wall-to-lumen ratio increased when compared to contralateral controls. The latter finding suggests that vascular remodeling was present at this stage. CONCLUSION: Altogether, our results indicate that 2.5 mg/kg dantrolene significantly reduces BFV in the MCA without altering systemic hemodynamic parameters to a similar extent than the highest dose of nimodipine or the combination of dantrolene and the lowest dose of nimodipine. Therefore, dantrolene may provide a promising alternative to lower the risk, or partially revert, CVSP.

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A angina vasoespástica é uma causa incomum de parada cardíaca e arritmias ventriculares. No entanto, os sobreviventes dessas complicações têm um risco aumentado de recorrência, apesar da função ventricular normal e do tratamento médico otimizado. Descrevemos o caso de uma ex-tabagista de 50 anos que teve parada cardiorrespiratória secundária a vasoespasmo coronariano grave.

Vasospastic angina is an uncommon cause of cardiac arrest and ventricular arrhythmias. However, survivors of these complications are at an increased risk of recurrence, despite normal ventricular function and optimized medical therapy. We describe a case of a 50-year-old former smoker who developed cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to severe coronary vasospasm.

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RESUMEN Introducción: las complicaciones neurológicas más frecuentes de la hemorragia subaracnoidea son el vasoespasmo cerebral, el resangrado y la hidrocefalia. Las convulsiones que pueden asociarse son generalmente secundarias a las anteriores. La aparición de éstas influye en la morbimortalidad de los pacientes afectados. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de complicaciones clínicas de la hemorragia subaracnoidea Material y métodos: se aplicó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron 105 pacientes adultos con hemorragia subaracnoidea que acudieron al Hospital Nacional, Itauguá, Paraguay, en el periodo 2020-2021. Resultados: la edad media fue 52 ±15 años. La mayoría de los pacientes fue del sexo femenino (59,05%) y provenía del Departamento Central. La hipertensión arterial fue la principal comorbilidad. La mayoría de los pacientes presentó Fisher 4 en la tomografía simple de cráneo y la presentación clínica fue el Hunt y Hess 2. El vasoespasmo fue la complicación neurológica más frecuente. La mortalidad fue 54,29%. Conclusión: la escala de Fisher 4 y la de Hunt y Hess 2 fueron los grados de presentación imagenológica y afectación clínica más frecuentes. La complicación neurológica predominante fue el vasoespasmo, aislado o asociado a otras complicaciones como hidrocefalia o resangrado. La mortalidad fue 54,29%.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The most frequent neurological complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage are cerebral vasospasm, rebleeding and hydrocephalus. The seizures that may be associated are generally secondary to these complications. Their appearance influences the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. Objective: To determine the frequency of clinical complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage Material and methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was used. One hundred five adult patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage who attended the Hospital Nacional of Itauguá, Paraguay, in the period 2020-2021 were included. Results: The mean age was 52±15 years. Most of the patients were female (59.05%) and came from the Central Department. Arterial hypertension was the main comorbidity. Most of the patients presented Fisher grade 4 in the simple skull tomography and the clinical presentation was Hunt and Hess grade 2. Vasospasm was the most frequent neurological complication while mortality was 54.29%. Conclusion: The Fisher grade 4 and the Hunt and Hess grade were the most frequent grades of imaging presentation and clinical involvement. The predominant neurological complication was vasospasm, isolated or associated with other complications such as hydrocephalus or rebleeding. Mortality was 54.29%.

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BACKGROUND: The present case aims to describe a previously healthy man who presented multiple attacks of transient monocular visual loss after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination and to discuss the possible mechanisms related to occurrence of this condition. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of multiple attacks of transient monocular visual loss in a previously healthy middle-aged man two weeks after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination. TVL attacks were described as sudden and painless complete visual loss, lasting about one minute, followed by a full recovery. He presented several non-simultaneous attacks in both eyes, 16 in the right eye, and 2 in the left eye on the same day, fifteen days after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The brain's magnetic resonance angiography, echocardiogram, and doppler ultrasound imaging of the carotid and vertebral arteries were non-revealing. The complete blood exam revealed a slightly elevated C-reactive protein test. We assessed fundus examination during the transient visual loss attack and revealed diffuse vascular narrowing for both arterial and venous branches, notably in the emergence of the optic disc in right eye. In addition, the circumpapillary optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) vessel density map was reduced. Oral verapamil hydrochloride 60 mg twice daily was initiated, and the attacks of transient visual loss improved after two days. CONCLUSIONS: To date, and the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of multiple transient monocular visual loss attacks due to retinal vasospasm in a previously healthy middle-aged man documented by fundus retinography and OCTA. We discuss in this article the possible association of retinal vasospasm and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination, probably related to vaccine-induced inflammation.