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Anesthetic Management of a Patient With Ongoing Thrombolytic Therapy During Decompressive Craniectomy: A Case Report
Nicole Souper1, Claudia Jiménez, Felipe Maldonado
1From the Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Decompressive craniectomy after middle cerebral artery stroke can be safely performed early, even within 6 hours of thrombolytic therapy. This case study demonstrates successful management of bleeding risks and improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a crucial intervention for managing elevated intracranial pressure following severe stroke.
- Standard practice typically delays DC for at least 24 hours after thrombolytic therapy due to concerns about hemorrhagic complications.
- Early DC in conjunction with thrombolysis presents a therapeutic challenge balancing stroke management and bleeding risks.
Abstract:
Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a therapeutic alternative for reducing intracranial pressure after a middle cerebral artery stroke. If thrombolytic therapy is administered, craniectomy is usually postponed for at least 24 hours due to a risk of severe bleeding. We describe a case in which DC was performed on a 38-year-old man who received thrombolytic therapy for an ischemic stroke involving the middle cerebral artery. His neurological and hemodynamic status worsened during its administration, and DC was performed 6 hours after thrombolysis was performed. Fibrinolytic coagulopathy was successfully managed by monitoring fibrinogen levels and with the administration of cryoprecipitate and tranexamic acid.
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