Background:

neurocritical care patients constitute a special subgroup in intensive care medicine. Recent international studies have shown variability in their monitoring and therapeutic handling.

Objective.

to learn about the handling and care characteristics of neurocritical patients in Uruguay.

Method:

prospective, descriptive study. A telephone survey was conducted based on a structure and processes questionnaire on neurocritical patients’ care. It was designed by the Neurocritical Patients Comittee of the Uruguayan Society of Intensive Medicine (SUMI). Chiefs or coordinators of each intensive care units were interviewed, their participation being voluntary an anonymous.

Results:

52 ICU in the country were interviewed, 67% were located in the provinces and 65% belonged to the private sector. 96% of intensive care units received neurocritical care patients. Routine neurosurgery was available in 46% of cases. Computerized technology was the most widely available imaging study (81%). The following procedures were conducted: intracranial pressure monitoring in 65% of patients, jugular venous oximetry in 27%, non-invasive neuromonitoring in 58%, ultrasound being the most frequently used. The most commonly used strategies to treat intracranial hypertension are: osmotherapy (hypertonic saline in 100%), propofol (85%), muscular blockade (78%) and decompressive craniectomy (75%). Reperfusion in cerebrovascular attack, thrombolisis (88%) and mechanical thrombectomy (44%). The most widely used antiepileptic drugs are: midazolam (100%), levetiracetam y phenytoin (96%). Cerebral aneurysm was treated with surgical clipping (98%) and endovascular treatment (66%). Protocols were followed in 96% and case conferences were organized in 61%.

Conclusions:

the study presents the first research conducted on this topic in our country and it found variability in terms of monitorization and availability of neuro-imagining and neurointerventionist special strategies. The study represents an opportunity for effectiveness comparative research.

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