VentricuLostomy AssoCiaTed InfeCtions (LACTIC): Focus on CSF Lactate and Sampling Site

CSF Lactate and Ventriculostomy Associated Infections in Patients With Acute Brain Injury - a Prospective, Observational Cohort Study.

This observational study involving patients with acute brain injury undergoing treatment with an external ventricular drain consists of three subprojects, aiming to:

1. investigate various biomarkers, with a primary focus on the development of cerebrospinal fluid lactate in relation to ventriculostomy-associated infection;
2. compare proximal and distal sample results obtained from an external ventricular drain;
3. describe the natural progression of various biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid following acute brain injury.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >18 years
• EVD in situ
• Admission to the neuro-ICU or neurosurgical step-down unit at Rigshospitalet, Denmark
• Diagnosis of acute brain injury categorized as traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid haemorrhage, intracranial haemorrage, intraventricular haemorrhage

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient or closest relatives do not understand written and spoken Danish or English
• Patients transferred to Rigshospitalet with an EVD
• Patients with brain injury due to existing brain infection (e.g., meningitis, intracranial empyema or abscess, encephalitis)
• Patients with existing ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunt at the time of admission
• Patients with primary or secondary brain cancer
• Patients died or in palliative care