Tissue kallikrein: A potential serum biomarker to predict delayed cerebral ischemia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Biomarkers in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A short review

Poor outcomes of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) can be the result of the initial catastrophic event or the many acute or delayed neurological complications. Recent evidence suggests that some molecules play a critical role in both events, through some unknown pathways involved. Understanding the role of these molecules in these events could allow to improve diagnostic accuracy, guide management, and prevent long-term disability in aSAH. Here we present the studies on aSAH biomarkers present in current medical literature, highlighting their roles and main results.

Neutrophil-to-Albumin Ratio as a Biomarker of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

This study set out to investigate the relationships between the neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NAR) in the early stages of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI).

METHODS

A total of 439 patients with aSAH were included in this retrospective study. NAR assessment was conducted on admission. The relationship between NAR and DCI was analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients (23.7%) experienced DCI. NAR levels were significantly higher in patients with DCI after aSAH than without DCI (median [interquartile range] 0.350 [0.274-0.406] vs. 0.240 [0.186-0.300]; P < 0.001). NAR levels were correlated with World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade and modified Fisher (mFisher) grade (r = 0.505 and 0.394, respectively). NAR and mFisher grade were the independent predictors of DCI. Under receiver operating characteristic curve, NAR levels exhibited a significant discriminatory capability (area under the curve [95% confidence interval] 0.812 [0.740-0.823]; P < 0.001). The predictive power of NAR levels was similar to mFisher grade (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

NAR, in positive correlation with the severity of hemorrhage, appears to be a novel predictive biomarker of DCI after aSAH.