EMCrit Podcast 8 – Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

This week's podcast is on the management of a the patient with SAH. It's not a complete review, just some tips and reminders. Best article for EM that I've found, comes out of Columbia For more reviews on mostly ICU issues see here and here. Update: Critical Care Management of Patients Following Aneurysmal SAH Guidelines from NCC 1. Get a neuro exam before you intubate 2. Intubation Give pretreatment, now just lidocaine and fentanyl Etomidate or propofol; plus sux. Most experienced intubater should perform laryngoscopy 3. Treat Pain and if intubated, give sedation 4. Treat Vasospasm give nimodipine 60 mg PO or NGT 5. BP Control place a-line treat pain first Give Labetalol or Nicardipine to achieve the patient's baseline BP if the patient has good mental status if they are obtunded, be a bit more conservative until ICP monitoring is in place If MAP is below 80, give fluids, pressors, and inotropes 6. Anti-seizure prophylaxis Load with phenytoin or fosphenytoin 7. Anti-fibrinolytics Amicar is the main one these days; ask your neurosurgeon/neurointensivist on a case-by-case basis see ehced.org for drip sheets 8. Reverse Coagulopathy 9. Think Heart these patients can get EKG changes, dysrhythmias, LV stunning, and frank infarcts from their SAH 10. ICP ASAP get the neurosurgeons to get the EVD (external ventricular drain) aka IVC (intraventricular catheter) in place as soon as possible keep ICP < 20 and CPP > 55-60 Please Subscribe and Please Comment! .