Chitra Venkatasubramanian, MBBS, MD, MSc.

All Publications

• Absolute risk and predictors of the growth of acute spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data LANCET NEUROLOGY Salman, R., Frantzias, J., Lee, R. J., Lyden, P. D., Battey, T. K., Ayres, A. M., Goldstein, J. N., Mayer, S. A., Steiner, T., Wang, X., Arima, H., Hasegawa, H., Oishi, M., Godoy, D. A., Masotti, L., Dowlatshahi, D., Rodriguez-Luna, D., Molina, C. A., Jang, D., Davalos, A., Castillo, J., Yao, X., Claassen, J., Volbers, B., Kazui, S., Okada, Y., Fujimoto, S., Toyoda, K., Li, Q., Khoury, J., Delgado, P., Alvarez Sabin, J., Hernandez-Guillamon, M., Prats-Sanchez, L., Cai, C., Kate, M. P., McCourt, R., Venkatasubramanian, C., Diringer, M. N., Ikeda, Y., Worthmann, H., Ziai, W. C., d'Esterre, C. D., Aviv, R. I., Raab, P., Murai, Y., Zazulia, A. R., Butcher, K. S., Seyedsaadat, S., Grotta, J. C., Marti-Fabregas, J., Montaner, J., Broderick, J., Yamamoto, H., Staykov, D., Connolly, E., Selim, M., Leira, R., Moon, B., Demchuk, A. M., Di Napoli, M., Fujii, Y., Anderson, C. S., Rosand, J. 2018; 17 (10): 885–94

  Abstract

  Intracerebral haemorrhage growth is associated with poor clinical outcome and is a therapeutic target for improving outcome. We aimed to determine the absolute risk and predictors of intracerebral haemorrhage growth, develop and validate prediction models, and evaluate the added value of CT angiography.In a systematic review of OVID MEDLINE-with additional hand-searching of relevant studies' bibliographies- from Jan 1, 1970, to Dec 31, 2015, we identified observational cohorts and randomised trials with repeat scanning protocols that included at least ten patients with acute intracerebral haemorrhage. We sought individual patient-level data from corresponding authors for patients aged 18 years or older with data available from brain imaging initially done 0·5-24 h and repeated fewer than 6 days after symptom onset, who had baseline intracerebral haemorrhage volume of less than 150 mL, and did not undergo acute treatment that might reduce intracerebral haemorrhage volume. We estimated the absolute risk and predictors of the primary outcome of intracerebral haemorrhage growth (defined as >6 mL increase in intracerebral haemorrhage volume on repeat imaging) using multivariable logistic regression models in development and validation cohorts in four subgroups of patients, using a hierarchical approach: patients not taking anticoagulant therapy at intracerebral haemorrhage onset (who constituted the largest subgroup), patients taking anticoagulant therapy at intracerebral haemorrhage onset, patients from cohorts that included at least some patients taking anticoagulant therapy at intracerebral haemorrhage onset, and patients for whom both information about anticoagulant therapy at intracerebral haemorrhage onset and spot sign on acute CT angiography were known.Of 4191 studies identified, 77 were eligible for inclusion. Overall, 36 (47%) cohorts provided data on 5435 eligible patients. 5076 of these patients were not taking anticoagulant therapy at symptom onset (median age 67 years, IQR 56-76), of whom 1009 (20%) had intracerebral haemorrhage growth. Multivariable models of patients with data on antiplatelet therapy use, data on anticoagulant therapy use, and assessment of CT angiography spot sign at symptom onset showed that time from symptom onset to baseline imaging (odds ratio 0·50, 95% CI 0·36-0·70; p<0·0001), intracerebral haemorrhage volume on baseline imaging (7·18, 4·46-11·60; p<0·0001), antiplatelet use (1·68, 1·06-2·66; p=0·026), and anticoagulant use (3·48, 1·96-6·16; p<0·0001) were independent predictors of intracerebral haemorrhage growth (C-index 0·78, 95% CI 0·75-0·82). Addition of CT angiography spot sign (odds ratio 4·46, 95% CI 2·95-6·75; p<0·0001) to the model increased the C-index by 0·05 (95% CI 0·03-0·07).In this large patient-level meta-analysis, models using four or five predictors had acceptable to good discrimination. These models could inform the location and frequency of observations on patients in clinical practice, explain treatment effects in prior randomised trials, and guide the design of future trials.UK Medical Research Council and British Heart Foundation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/S1474-4422(18)30253-9

  View details for Web of Science ID 000444862200016

  View details for PubMedID 30120039

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6143589

• Phantom-based standardization of CT angiography images for spot sign detection NEURORADIOLOGY Morotti, A., Romero, J. M., Jessel, M. J., Hernandez, A. M., Vashkevich, A., Schwab, K., Burns, J. D., Shah, Q. A., Bergman, T. A., Suri, M. K., Ezzeddine, M., Kirmani, J. F., Agarwal, S., Shapshak, A., Messe, S. R., Venkatasubramanian, C., Palmieri, K., Lewandowski, C., Chang, T. R., Chang, I., Rose, D. Z., Smith, W., Hsu, C. Y., Liu, C., Lien, L., Hsiao, C., Iwama, T., Afzal, M., Cassarly, C., Greenberg, S. M., Martin, R., Qureshi, A. I., Rosand, J., Boone, J. M., Goldstein, J. N., ATACH-II Investigator, NETT Investigator 2017; 59 (9): 839–44

  Abstract

  The CT angiography (CTA) spot sign is a strong predictor of hematoma expansion in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, CTA parameters vary widely across centers and may negatively impact spot sign accuracy in predicting ICH expansion. We developed a CT iodine calibration phantom that was scanned at different institutions in a large multicenter ICH clinical trial to determine the effect of image standardization on spot sign detection and performance.A custom phantom containing known concentrations of iodine was designed and scanned using the stroke CT protocol at each institution. Custom software was developed to read the CT volume datasets and calculate the Hounsfield unit as a function of iodine concentration for each phantom scan. CTA images obtained within 8 h from symptom onset were analyzed by two trained readers comparing the calibrated vs. uncalibrated density cutoffs for spot sign identification. ICH expansion was defined as hematoma volume growth >33%.A total of 90 subjects qualified for the study, of whom 17/83 (20.5%) experienced ICH expansion. The number of spot sign positive scans was higher in the calibrated analysis (67.8 vs 38.9% p < 0.001). All spot signs identified in the non-calibrated analysis remained positive after calibration. Calibrated CTA images had higher sensitivity for ICH expansion (76 vs 52%) but inferior specificity (35 vs 63%) compared with uncalibrated images.Normalization of CTA images using phantom data is a feasible strategy to obtain consistent image quantification for spot sign analysis across different sites and may improve sensitivity for identification of ICH expansion.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00234-017-1857-4

  View details for Web of Science ID 000407825500003

  View details for PubMedID 28730267

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5700841

• Emergency Neurological Life Support: Traumatic Brain Injury NEUROCRITICAL CARE Garvin, R., Venkatasubramanian, C., Lumba-Brown, A., Miller, C. M. 2015; 23: S143-S154

  Abstract

  Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) was chosen as an Emergency Neurological Life Support topic due to its frequency, the impact of early intervention on outcomes for patients with TBI, and the need for an organized approach to the care of such patients within the emergency setting. This protocol was designed to enumerate the practice steps that should be considered within the first critical hour of neurological injury.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s12028-015-0176-z

  View details for Web of Science ID 000367463100014

• Serum Neuron-Specific Enolase Levels from the Same Patients Differ Between Laboratories: Assessment of a Prospective Post-cardiac Arrest Cohort. Neurocritical care Mlynash, M., Buckwalter, M. S., Okada, A., Caulfield, A. F., Venkatasubramanian, C., Eyngorn, I., Verbeek, M. M., Wijman, C. A. 2013; 19 (2): 161-166

  Abstract

  In comatose post-cardiac arrest patients, a serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level of >33 μg/L within 72 h was identified as a reliable marker for poor outcome in a large Dutch study (PROPAC), and this level was subsequently adopted in an American Academy of Neurology practice parameter. Later studies reported that NSE >33 μg/L is not a reliable predictor of poor prognosis. To test whether different clinical laboratories contribute to this variability, we compared NSE levels from the laboratory used in the PROPAC study (DLM-Nijmegen) with those of our hospital's laboratory (ARUP) using paired blood samples.We prospectively enrolled cardiac arrest patients who remained comatose after resuscitation. During the first 3 days, paired blood samples for serum NSE were drawn at a median of 10 min apart. After standard preparation for each lab, one sample was sent to ARUP laboratories and the other to DLM-Nijmegen.Fifty-four paired serum samples from 33 patients were included. Although the serum NSE measurements correlated well between laboratories (R = 0.91), the results from ARUP were approximately 30 % lower than those from DLM-Nijmegen. Therapeutic hypothermia did not affect this relationship. Two patients had favorable outcomes after hypothermia despite NSE levels measured by DLM-Nijmegen as >33 μg/L.Absolute serum NSE levels of comatose cardiac arrest patients differ between laboratories. Any specific absolute cut-off levels proposed to prognosticate poor outcome should not be used without detailed data on how neurologic outcomes correspond to a particular laboratory's method, and even then only in conjunction with other prognostic variables.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s12028-013-9867-5

  View details for PubMedID 23839710

• Christine Anne Cunegonde Wijman, MD, PhD (1965-2013). Neurocritical care Finley Caulfield, A., Venkatasubramanian, C. 2013; 19 (1): 135-136

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s12028-013-9855-9

  View details for PubMedID 23690248

• Natural history and prognostic value of corticospinal tract Wallerian degeneration in intracerebral hemorrhage. Journal of the American Heart Association Venkatasubramanian, C., Kleinman, J. T., Fischbein, N. J., Olivot, J., Gean, A. D., Eyngorn, I., Snider, R. W., Mlynash, M., Wijman, C. A. 2013; 2 (4)

  Abstract

  The purpose of this study was to define the incidence, imaging characteristics, natural history, and prognostic implication of corticospinal tract Wallerian degeneration (CST-WD) in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) using serial MR imaging.Consecutive ICH patients with supratentorial ICH prospectively underwent serial MRIs at 2, 7, 14, and 21 days. MRIs were analyzed by independent raters for the presence and topographical distribution of CST-WD on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Baseline demographics, hematoma characteristics, ICH score, and admission National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) were systematically recorded. Functional outcome at 3 months was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the motor-NIHSS. Twenty-seven patients underwent 93 MRIs; 88 of these were serially obtained in the first month. In 13 patients (48%), all with deep ICH, CST-WD changes were observed after a median of 7 days (interquartile range, 7 to 8) as reduced diffusion on DWI and progressed rostrocaudally along the CST. CST-WD changes evolved into T2-hyperintense areas after a median of 11 days (interquartile range, 6 to 14) and became atrophic on MRIs obtained after 3 months. In univariate analyses, the presence of CST-WD was associated with poor functional outcome (ie, mRS 4 to 6; P=0.046) and worse motor-NIHSS (5 versus 1, P=0.001) at 3 months.Wallerian degeneration along the CST is common in spontaneous supratentorial ICH, particularly in deep ICH. It can be detected 1 week after ICH on DWI and progresses rostrocaudally along the CST over time. The presence of CST-WD is associated with poor motor and functional recovery after ICH.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/JAHA.113.000090

  View details for PubMedID 23913508

• Magnetic resonance imaging profile of blood-brain barrier injury in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Journal of the American Heart Association Aksoy, D., Bammer, R., Mlynash, M., Venkatasubramanian, C., Eyngorn, I., Snider, R. W., Gupta, S. N., Narayana, R., Fischbein, N., Wijman, C. A. 2013; 2 (3)

  Abstract

  Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury, which is a poorly understood factor in ICH pathogenesis, potentially contributing to edema formation and perihematomal tissue injury. We aimed to assess and quantify BBB permeability following human spontaneous ICH using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI). We also investigated whether hematoma size or location affected the amount of BBB leakage.Twenty-five prospectively enrolled patients from the Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI in Spontaneous intracerebral Hemorrhage (DASH) study were examined using DCE MRI at 1 week after symptom onset. Contrast agent dynamics in the brain tissue and general tracer kinetic modeling were used to estimate the forward leakage rate (K(trans)) in regions of interest (ROI) in and surrounding the hematoma and in contralateral mirror-image locations (control ROI). In all patients BBB permeability was significantly increased in the brain tissue immediately adjacent to the hematoma, that is, the hematoma rim, compared to the contralateral mirror ROI (P<0.0001). Large hematomas (>30 mL) had higher K(trans) values than small hematomas (P<0.005). K(trans) values of lobar hemorrhages were significantly higher than the K(trans) values of deep hemorrhages (P<0.005), independent of hematoma volume. Higher K(trans) values were associated with larger edema volumes.BBB leakage in the brain tissue immediately bordering the hematoma can be measured and quantified by DCE MRI in human ICH. BBB leakage at 1 week is greater in larger hematomas as well as in hematomas in lobar locations and is associated with larger edema volumes.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/JAHA.113.000161

  View details for PubMedID 23709564

• Natural history and prognostic value of corticospinal tract wallerian degeneration in intracerebral hemorrhage. Journal of the American Heart Association Venkatasubramanian, C., Kleinman, J. T., Fischbein, N. J., Olivot, J., Gean, A. D., Eyngorn, I., Snider, R. W., Mlynash, M., Wijman, C. A. 2013; 2 (4)

  View details for DOI 10.1161/JAHA.113.000090

  View details for PubMedID 23913508

• Magnetic resonance imaging profile of blood-brain barrier injury in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Journal of the American Heart Association Aksoy, D., Bammer, R., Mlynash, M., Venkatasubramanian, C., Eyngorn, I., Snider, R. W., Gupta, S. N., Narayana, R., Fischbein, N., Wijman, C. A. 2013; 2 (3)

  View details for DOI 10.1161/JAHA.113.000161

  View details for PubMedID 23709564

• Intracranial hypotension producing reversible coma: a systematic review, including three new cases A review JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY Loya, J. J., Mindea, S. A., Yu, H., Venkatasubramanian, C., Chang, S. D., Burns, T. C. 2012; 117 (3): 615-628

  Abstract

  Intracranial hypotension is a disorder of CSF hypovolemia due to iatrogenic or spontaneous spinal CSF leakage. Rarely, positional headaches may progress to coma, with frequent misdiagnosis. The authors review reported cases of verified intracranial hypotension-associated coma, including 3 previously unpublished cases, totaling 29. Most patients presented with headache prior to neurological deterioration, with positional symptoms elicited in almost half. Eight patients had recently undergone a spinal procedure such as lumbar drainage. Diagnostic workup almost always began with a head CT scan. Subdural collections were present in 86%; however, intracranial hypotension was frequently unrecognized as the underlying cause. Twelve patients underwent one or more procedures to evacuate the collections, sometimes with transiently improved mental status. However, no patient experienced lasting neurological improvement after subdural fluid evacuation alone, and some deteriorated further. Intracranial hypotension was diagnosed in most patients via MRI studies, which were often obtained due to failure to improve after subdural hematoma (SDH) evacuation. Once the diagnosis of intracranial hypotension was made, placement of epidural blood patches was curative in 85% of patients. Twenty-seven patients (93%) experienced favorable outcomes after diagnosis and treatment; 1 patient died, and 1 patient had a morbid outcome secondary to duret hemorrhages. The literature review revealed that numerous additional patients with clinical histories consistent with intracranial hypotension but no radiological confirmation developed SDH following a spinal procedure. Several such patients experienced poor outcomes, and there were multiple deaths. To facilitate recognition of this treatable but potentially life-threatening condition, the authors propose criteria that should prompt intracranial hypotension workup in the comatose patient and present a stepwise management algorithm to guide the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

  View details for DOI 10.3171/2012.4.JNS112030

  View details for Web of Science ID 000307627100031

  View details for PubMedID 22725982

• A comparison of cooling techniques to treat cardiac arrest patients with hypothermia. Stroke research and treatment Finley Caulfield, A., Rachabattula, S., Eyngorn, I., Hamilton, S. A., Kalimuthu, R., Hsia, A. W., Lansberg, M. G., Venkatasubramanian, C., BAUMANN, J. J., Buckwalter, M. S., Kumar, M. A., Castle, J. S., Wijman, C. A. 2011; 2011: 690506-?

  Abstract

  Introduction. We sought to compare the performance of endovascular cooling to conventional surface cooling after cardiac arrest. Methods. Patients in coma following cardiopulmonary resuscitation were cooled with an endovascular cooling catheter or with ice bags and cold-water-circulating cooling blankets to a target temperature of 32.0-34.0°C for 24 hours. Performance of cooling techniques was compared by (1) number of hourly recordings in target temperature range, (2) time elapsed from the written order to initiate cooling and target temperature, and (3) adverse events during the first week. Results. Median time in target temperature range was 19 hours (interquartile range (IQR), 16-20) in the endovascular group versus. 10 hours (IQR, 7-15) in the surface group (P = .001). Median time to target temperature was 4 (IQR, 2.8-6.2) and 4.5 (IQR, 3-6.5) hours, respectively (P = .67). Adverse events were similar. Conclusion. Endovascular cooling maintains target temperatures better than conventional surface cooling.

  View details for DOI 10.4061/2011/690506

  View details for PubMedID 21822470

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3148603

• Natural History of Perihematomal Edema After Intracerebral Hemorrhage Measured by Serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging STROKE Venkatasubramanian, C., Mlynash, M., Finley-Caulfield, A., Eyngorn, I., Kalimuthu, R., Snider, R. W., Wijman, C. A. 2011; 42 (1): 73-80

  Abstract

  knowledge on the natural history and clinical impact of perihematomal edema (PHE) associated with intracerebral hemorrhage is limited. We aimed to define the time course, predictors, and clinical significance of PHE measured by serial magnetic resonance imaging.patients with primary supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage ≥ 5 cm(3) underwent serial MRIs at prespecified intervals during the first month. Hematoma (H(v)) and PHE (E(v)) volumes were measured on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Relative PHE was defined as E(v)/H(v). Neurologic assessments were performed at admission and with each MRI. Barthel Index, modified Rankin scale, and extended Glasgow Outcome scale scores were assigned at 3 months.twenty-seven patients with 88 MRIs were prospectively included. Median H(v) and E(v) on the first MRI were 39 and 46 cm(3), respectively. Median peak absolute E(v) was 88 cm(3). Larger hematomas produced a larger absolute E(v) (r(2)=0.6) and a smaller relative PHE (r(2)=0.7). Edema volume growth was fastest in the first 2 days but continued until 12 ± 3 days. In multivariate analysis, a higher admission hematocrit was associated with a greater delay in peak PHE (P=0.06). Higher admission partial thromboplastin time was associated with higher peak rPHE (P=0.02). Edema volume growth was correlated with a decline in neurologic status at 48 hours (81 vs 43 cm(3), P=0.03) but not with 3-month functional outcome.PHE volume measured by MRI increases most rapidly in the first 2 days after symptom onset and peaks toward the end of the second week. The timing and magnitude of PHE volume are associated with hematologic factors. Its clinical significance deserves further study.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.590646

  View details for Web of Science ID 000285636400019

  View details for PubMedID 21164136

• MRI Profile of the Perihematomal Region in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage STROKE Olivot, J., Mlynash, M., Kleinman, J. T., Straka, M., Venkatasubramanian, C., Bammer, R., Moseley, M. E., Albers, G. W., Wijman, C. A. 2010; 41 (11): 2681-2683

  Abstract

  The pathophysiology of the presumed perihematomal edema immediately surrounding an acute intracerebral hemorrhage is poorly understood, and its composition may influence clinical outcome. Method-Twenty-three patients from the Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI in Spontaneous intracerebral Hemorrhage (DASH) study were prospectively enrolled and studied with MRI. Perfusion-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences were coregistered. TMax (the time when the residue function reaches its maximum) and apparent diffusion coefficient values in the presumed perihematomal edema regions of interest were compared with contralateral mirror and remote ipsilateral hemispheric regions of interest.Compared with mirror and ipsilateral hemispheric regions of interest, TMax (the time when the residue function reaches its maximum) and apparent diffusion coefficient were consistently increased in the presumed perihematomal edema. Two thirds of the patients also exhibited patchy regions of restricted diffusion in the presumed perihematomal edema.The MRI profile of the presumed perihematomal edema in acute intracerebral hemorrhage exhibits delayed perfusion and increased diffusivity mixed with areas of reduced diffusion.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.590638

  View details for Web of Science ID 000283443500058

  View details for PubMedID 20947849

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3357921

• MIGRAINE-LIKE HEADACHE WITH VISUAL DEFICIT AND PERFUSION ABNORMALITY ON MRI NEUROLOGY Kapinos, G., Fischbein, N. J., Zaharchuk, G., Venkatasubramanian, C. 2010; 74 (21): 1743-1745

  View details for Web of Science ID 000278018400014

  View details for PubMedID 20498443

• Outcome prediction in mechanically ventilated neurologic patients by junior neurointensivists NEUROLOGY Caulfield, A. F., GABLER, L., Lansberg, M. G., Eyngorn, I., Mlynash, M., Buckwalter, M. S., Venkatasubramanian, C., Wijman, C. A. 2010; 74 (14): 1096-1101

  Abstract

  Physician prediction of outcome in critically ill neurologic patients impacts treatment decisions and goals of care. In this observational study, we prospectively compared predictions by neurointensivists to patient outcomes at 6 months.Consecutive neurologic patients requiring mechanical ventilation for 72 hours or more were enrolled. The attending neurointensivist was asked to predict 6-month 1) functional outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS]), 2) quality of life (QOL), and 3) whether supportive care should be withdrawn. Six-month functional outcome was determined by telephone interviews and dichotomized to good (mRS 0-3) and poor outcome (mRS 4-6).Of 187 eligible patients, 144 were enrolled. Neurointensivists correctly predicted 6-month functional outcome in 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72%-86%) of patients. Accuracy for a predicted good outcome was 63% (95% CI, 50%-74%) and for poor outcome 94% (95% CI, 85%-98%). Excluding patients who had life support withdrawn, accuracy for good outcome was 73% (95% CI, 60%-84%) and for poor outcome 87% (95% CI, 74%-94%). Accuracy for exact agreement between neurointensivists' mRS predictions and actual 6-month mRS was only 43% (95% CI, 35%-52%). Predicted accuracy for QOL was 58% (95% CI, 39%-74%) for good/excellent and 67% (95% CI, 46%-83%) for poor/fair. Of 27 patients for whom withdrawal of care was recommended, 1 patient survived in a vegetative state.Prediction of long-term functional outcomes in critically ill neurologic patients is challenging. Our neurointensivists were more accurate in predicting poor outcome than good outcome in patients requiring mechanical ventilation >or=72 hours.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000276354400005

  View details for PubMedID 20368630

• Utility of Early MRI in the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES Wijman, C. A., Venkatasubramanian, C., Bruins, S., Fischbein, N., Schwartz, N. 2010; 30 (5): 456-463

  Abstract

  The optimal diagnostic evaluation for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains controversial. In this retrospective study, we assessed the utility of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in ICH diagnosis and management.Eighty-nine (72%) of 123 patients with spontaneous ICH underwent a brain CT and MRI within 30 days of ICH onset. Seventy patients with a mean age of 62 ± 15 years were included. A stroke neurologist and a general neurologist, each blinded to the final diagnosis, independently reviewed the admission data and the initial head CT and then assigned a presumed ICH cause under 1 of 9 categories. ICH cause was potentially modified after subsequent MRI review. The final 'gold standard' ICH etiology was determined after review of the complete medical record by an independent investigator. Change in diagnostic category and confidence and the potential impact on patient management were systematically recorded.Mean time to MRI was 3 ± 5 days. Final ICH diagnosis was hypertension or cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in 50% of patients. After MRI review the stroke neurologist changed diagnostic category in 14%, diagnostic confidence in an additional 23% and management in 20%, and the general neurologist did so in 19, 21 and 21% of patients, respectively. MRI yield was highest in ICH secondary to ischemic stroke, CAA, vascular malformations and neoplasms, and did not differ by age, history of hypertension, hematoma location or the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage.The results of this study suggest potential additive clinical benefit of early MRI in patients with spontaneous ICH.

  View details for DOI 10.1159/000316892

  View details for Web of Science ID 000282752200004

  View details for PubMedID 20733299

• Favorable Outcome From A Locked-In State Despite Extensive Pontine Infarction By MRI NEUROCRITICAL CARE Samaniego, E. A., Lansberg, M. G., DeGeorgia, M., Venkatasubramanian, C., Wijman, C. A. 2009; 11 (3): 369-371

  Abstract

  Outcome prediction of patients who are in a locked-in state is challenging. Extensive pontine infarction on diffusion weighted imaging MRI (DWI) has been proposed as a poor prognosticator. We report on three patients with a locked-in state with unexpected favorable recoveries despite DWI evidence of widespread pontine ischemia.Report of three cases.Three young patients (32-, 30-, and 16-years-old) presented with a locked-in state caused by pontine infarction. The first patient did not receive any acute stroke therapies, the second patient underwent endovascular therapy 20 h after symptom onset resulting in partial recanalization of the basilar artery, and the third patient progressed to a locked-in state despite having received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. The DWI of all three patients demonstrated acute and widespread pontine infarction involving more than two-thirds of the pons. Two patients regained full independence in their activities of daily living. The third patient remained wheelchair bound, but lives with her family, eats independently, uses a typewriter and wrote a book.Patients who are in a locked-in state may have substantial functional recovery despite DWI evidence of extensive pontine infarction.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s12028-009-9268-y

  View details for Web of Science ID 000271943800011

  View details for PubMedID 19707888

• Transient Isolated Vertigo Secondary to an Acute Stroke of the Cerebellar Nodulus Arch Neurol Schwartz N, V. A. 2007
• Natural history and clinical significance of perihematomal edema after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (abstract) Stroke Venkatasubramanian C, M. K. 2007
• The effect of blood pressure on hematoma and perihematomal area in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Neurosurgery clinics of North America Wijman, C. A., Venkatasubramanian, C. 2006; 17: 11-24

  View details for PubMedID 17967690

• Myocarditis following scorpion sting The Antiseptic S. Dandapani, Subbiah, Chitra V. 1998: 303-304
• Privatization of medical services in India Indian Journal of Clinical Practice Chitra V. 1997: 81-82