Malignant cerebral infarction and hemicraniectomy
Simula, S.; Koivisto, T.; Rinne, J.; Vanninen, R.; Jäkälä, P.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 125(24): 2729-2738
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 20175327 Document Number: 636036
Malignant cerebral infarction has 80% mortality rate that could be decreased by hemicraniectomy. We retrospectively evaluated medical records of all 12 consecutive patients who underwent hemicraniectomy due to malignant cerebral infarction in Kuopio university hospital between 2003 and 2/2009. Infarction affected left hemisphere in 4/12 patients and right hemisphere in 8/12 patients. 50% of the patients (6/12) survived. Operation delay was not associated with outcome. Systolic blood pressure in acute phase was significantly lower in survivors as compared to non-survivors (126 +/- 8 mmHg vs 154 +/- 12 mmHg, p < 0.001, respectively). Selected patients with malignant cerebral infarction benefit from hemicraniectomy.