Cerebral Injury

An investigator-initiated clinical drug study Main Objective: To explore neuroprotective properties of xenon in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Primary endpoint: Global fractional anisotropy of white matter of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Hypothesis: White matter damage is less severe in xenon treated patients, i.e. global fractional anisotropy is significantly higher in the xenon group than in the control group as assessed with the 1st magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After confirmation of aSAH and obtaining a signed assent subjects will be randomized to the following groups: Control group: Standard of Care (SOC) group: Air/oxygen and Normothermia 36.5-37.5°C; Xenon group: Normothermia 36.5-37.5°C +Xenon inhalation in air/oxygen for 24 hours. Brain magnetic resonance imaging techniques will be undertaken to evaluate the effects of the intervention on white and grey matter damage and neuronal loss. Neurological outcome will be evaluated at 3, 12 and 24 months after onset of aSAH symptoms Investigational drug/treatment, dose and mode of administration: 50±2 % end tidal concentration of inhaled xenon in oxygen/air. Comparative drug(s)/placebo/treatment, dose and mode of administration: Standard of care treatment according to local and international consensus reports. Duration of treatment: 24 hours Assessments: Baseline data Information that characterizes the participant's condition prior to initiation of experimental treatment is obtained as soon as is clinically reasonable. These include participant demographics, medical history, vital signs, oxygen saturation, and concentration of oxygen administered. Acute data The collected information will contain quantitative and qualitative data of aSAH patients, as recommended by recent recommendations of the working group on subject characteristics, and including all relevant Common Data Elements (CDE) can be applied. Specific definitions, measurements tools, and references regarding each SAH CDE can be found on the weblink here: https://www.commondataelements.ninds.nih.gov/SAH.aspx#tab=Data\_Standards.

Background. Cerebral ischemia is a major secondary factor contributing to worsening outcomes in patients with acute brain injuries. Transcranial Color-Coded Doppler (TCCD) is a reliable method for evaluating cerebral perfusion and is recommended for use in emergency settings to reduce secondary injuries. However, there is no established treatment protocol for managing cerebral hypoperfusion as detected by TCCD. Objective. The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of individual steps in a standardized treatment protocol to normalize TCCD parameters in patients with cerebral hypoperfusion. The secondary objective is to investigate the concordance between invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) measurements and those estimated through TCCD using the Czosnyka formula. Methods. This prospective multicenter observational study will enroll patients with acute brain injury admitted in emergency or intensive care settings. Inclusion criteria include age over 18, Glasgow Coma Scale \<9, and evidence of cerebral hypoperfusion based on TCCD performed on M1 tract of at least one middle cerebral artery. The hypoperfusion is defined as the concurrent presence of at least two of the following parameters: mean velocity below 30 cm/s, diastolic velocity below 20 cm/s, pulsatility index above 1.4. Patients will undergo a stepwise treatment approach involving normocapnia verification, autoregulation testing increasing mean arterial pressure by 10 mmHg, and hyperosmolar therapy. The effectiveness of each intervention will be assessed by TCCD readings. Endpoints. The primary endpoint is the percentage of patients who normalize cerebral perfusion parameters at each step of the protocol. The secondary endpoint is the concordance between invasive ICP measurements and those estimated through TCCD. Sample Size. The study aims to recruit 100 patients over 24 months. Data analysis will include descriptive statistics, with significant results considered at p \< 0.05.

Brain injury is a serious problem after cardiac surgery. Brain injury can become evident in the form of stroke and cognitive dysfunction after surgery. The current neuromonitoring technique used is unable to monitor the region of the brain that is most susceptible to injury. This study aims to use a novel, non-invasive brain monitoring technique known as multichannel functional near infrared spectroscopy to assess brain oxygenation at multiple brain regions simultaneously during cardiac surgery. This research enables the investigators to understand the differences between regional brain oxygenation during cardiac surgery and to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of multichannel functional near infrared spectroscopy to be used as a future brain monitoring technique to detect brain injury in cardiac surgery.