High Prevalence Of Acute Cerebrovascular Injury On Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging In Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is an acute inflammatory respiratory failure condition that may be associated with secondary cerebrovascular injury. We aimed to describe the prevalence and types of cerebrovascular injuries detected by brain MRI among ARDS patients. Methods: We reviewed a single-center ARDS registry data from a tertiary medical center from January 2010 to October 2018. Patients who underwent brain MRI during their index hospitalization were identified. MRIs were reviewed by two independent reviewers. Acute cerebrovascular injuries were classified as acute cerebral ischemia (ischemic infarct and hypoxic ischemic brain injury [HIBI]) or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) including intraparenchymal hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Descriptive statistics were conducted. Results: Of the 678 ARDS patients, 66 (9.7%) underwent brain MRI during their ARDS illness. The median time from hospital admission to MRI was 10 days (interquartile range 4-17). Of 66, 31 (47%) had MRI evidence of acute cerebrovascular injuries including acute cerebral ischemia in 33% (22/66) and ICH in 21% (14/66). Among those with cerebral ischemia, common findings were bilateral globus pallidus infarcts (n=7), multifocal ischemic infarcts (n=5), and HIBI (n=3). Twelve (86%) with CMBs constituted the most common type of ICH, followed by intraparenchymal hemorrhage (14%). Patient demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, or disease severity as measured by the presence of sepsis/sepsis shock, cardiac arrest, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III Score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score, or admission PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio did not differ among patients with and without cerebrovascular injury including cerebral ischemia or ICH. In-hospital mortality was significantly greater in ARDS patients with acute cerebral ischemia compared to those without ischemia (55% vs 27%, p=0.03). Conclusion: Among selected patients with ARDS who underwent brain MRI, a half had secondary cerebrovascular injury including acute cerebral ischemia and CMBs.