Management of subarachnoid haemorrhage

Effect of thyroid hormone replacement therapy on cognition in long-term survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a recently identified risk factor for chronic hypothyroidism. Patients with hypothyroidism often exhibit cognitive dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of thyroid hormone replacement therapy on cognition in aSAH survivors with hypothyroidism. A study population of 135 patients was recruited and subjected to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Beck Depression Inventory. Among the study population, 52 patients exhibited cognitive dysfunction. Thyroid hormone levels were measured in these patients using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in order to elucidate possible deficits in the thyrotrophic hormonal axes, and hypothyroidism was confirmed in 31 patients. Among these 31 patients, 22 patients consented to be randomized into groups and were administered levothyroxine replacement or a placebo treatment for 3 months. The MoCA and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Chinese version (WAIS-RC) testing were performed prior to and following the replacement therapy or placebo treatments. All subjects completed the study with no negative side effects. After 8-12 weeks of oral levothyroxine administration, it was observed that the serum concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone was restored to normal levels. Furthermore, neuropsychological test results improved following the replacement therapy. A significant improvement was observed in the MoCA scores of the replacement group following therapy, with the exception of the score for abstraction. Additionally, significant improvements in the WAIS-RC were observed in the replacement group, with the exceptions of the information comprehension and letter-number sequencing scores. Thus, the present study has demonstrated the partial normalization of cognitive impairments in patients with hypothyroidism following aSAH as a result of appropriate levothyroxine replacement therapy.

Vasospasm: A friend or foe - initial experience

Background

The optimal time to operate on an intracranial aneurysm eludes a satisfactory answer. While most surgeons would agree to operate early in young and neurologically intact patients, the ideal timing in older and neurologically impaired patients is debatable. In India, the majority of centers operate on patients in Hunt and Hess grades I-III, but is circumspect about grades IV and V.

Purpose

The following study was carried out to check the effect of vasospasm on mortality rates and time of surgery being performed on the patient after having the same in patients coming under criteria of Hunt and Hess grades IV and V

Methods

We undertook a prospective evaluation of 171 consecutive patients of aneurysms operated during the last 9 years irrespective of their age, neurological grade, and time of presentation or vasospasm in an attempt to resolve this issue. The influence of vasospasm on each neurological grade was examined.

Results

It appears that concomitant presence of vasospasm in grade III, IV and V patients indicates a possible “reversible” cause of the poor neurological status, while its absence may indicate an irreversible or more extensive primary insult.

Conclusion

The presence of vasospasm in poor grade patients appears to be a better prognostic indicator.

Sickle-cell disease stroke throughout life: a retrospective study in an adult referral center

Strokes are one of the most severe complications of sickle-cell disease. Most studies have been restricted to children with sickle-cell disease. To better understand the characteristics and follow-up of strokes occurring from childhood to adulthood, we undertook a retrospective cohort study of 69 stroke patients among the 2,875 patients consulting at the French Adult Sickle-Cell Disease Referral Center. Between 1970 and 2008, they had experienced 104 strokes: 80 ischemic, 22 hemorrhagic, and 2 intracranial sinus thromboses. Coma and/or fatal outcomes underscored the severity of strokes in sickle-cell disease patients.Hemorrhagic strokes occurred mostly in adults and carried a higher risk of death than ischemic stroke. The mechanisms underlying sickle-cell disease associated strokes were reevaluated and etiologies were determined for first stroke and recurrences, in childhood and adulthood. Sickle-cell disease vasculopathy concerned only SS patients and remains their most frequent stroke etiology. Cardioembolism, vaso-occlusive crisis and triggering factors were other etiologies identified in adults. Recurrences occurred in 19 SS patients only after a first ischemic stroke. SC patients' strokes occurred in adulthood and were associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings provide novel information about cerebrovascular pathologies throughout the lives of sickle-cell disease patients and suggest the need for different diagnostic and therapeutic management approaches in those different settings.

Cerebral aneurysms in pregnancy and delivery: pregnancy and delivery do not increase the risk of aneurysm rupture

BACKGROUND

It is not known what effect pregnancy or delivery has on the risk of rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, and, consequently, the optimal management of unruptured aneurysms in pregnancy is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of pregnancy and delivery on the risk of rupture of intracranial aneurysms and to delineate trends in neurosurgical and obstetric management of pregnant women with intracranial aneurysms.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample data were analyzed for years 1988 to 2009 to estimate the risk of aneurysm rupture during pregnancies and deliveries. We calculated the risk by dividing the observed number of patients with ruptured aneurysm during pregnancy and delivery by the expected number based on the incidence among women of pregnancy age.

RESULTS

There were 714 and 172 hospitalizations involving ruptured aneurysms with pregnancy and delivery, respectively. Assuming 1.8% prevalence of unruptured aneurysms among all women of pregnancy age, we estimated that 48,873 women hospitalized for pregnancy and 312,128 women hospitalized for delivery had unruptured aneurysms. The risks of rupture during pregnancy and deliveries were 1.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.35, 1.57]) and 0.05% (95% CI = [0.0468, 0.0634]), respectively. Of 218 deliveries performed with unruptured aneurysm, 153 were cesarean deliveries (70.18%, 95% CI = [64.06, 76.30%]), suggesting that the rate of cesarean deliveries in patients with unruptured aneurysms is significantly higher than in the general population (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

We were not able to find an increased association between pregnancy or delivery and the risk of rupture of cerebral aneurysms. The significantly higher rate of cesarean deliveries performed in patients with unruptured aneurysms may not be necessary.

Hemodynamic analysis of intracranial aneurysms with daughter blebs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intracranial aneurysms with daughter blebs appear to have a higher risk of rupture. Whether hemodynamic factors are involved in this phenomenon is not clear.

METHODS

54 patient-specific aneurysms harboring 69 daughter blebs were divided into ruptured and unruptured groups based on their clinical history. Realistic models were retrospectively constructed and analyzed by a computational fluid dynamic method.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the aspect ratio and morphology type of the aneurysms, the size of blebs or other common risk factors between the two groups. The wall shear stress (WSS) was significantly lower while the oscillatory shear index (OSI) was higher in the daughter blebs than in the primary aneurysms. Bleb-bearing aneurysms with a rupture history displayed significantly lower WSS in the daughter bleb. Of the daughter blebs, 73.9% were localized to the impingement region of the inflow jet.

CONCLUSION

These observations indicate that low WSS and high OSI in the daughter blebs might be involved in increasing the risk of rupture. The localized striking force caused by inflow jets may contribute to the development of daughter blebs. However, a precise role of hemodynamics in predicting the future rupture of daughter blebs needs further study.

Treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: Report from a low-volume center

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to present our experience and results in treating subarachnoid hemorrhage due to ruptured intracranial aneurysms at a neurosurgical department with a small annual number of cases (i.e. a low-volume center) and to discover which factors could influence treatment and reliably predict the outcome of hemorrhage.

METHODS

All patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at our department between 1973 and 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. We performed 293 operations and 21 endovascular procedures. In the majority of patients we excluded the aneurysm from circulation by placing a clip on the aneurysmal neck. Relevant data were obtained on patients' performance, imaging studies, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

According to the Hunt & Hess grade, the majority of patients were in groups 1 or 2. Perioperative mortality was 3%. Postoperative mortality due to complications related to subarachnoid hemorrhage was 10%. Vasospasm was detected in 18% of patients and was a direct cause of death in 5%. The outcome was good in 68% (grades 4 or 5 on the Glasgow outcome scale). In multivariate analysis, the Hunt & Hess grade, age and clinical vasospasm all had important predictive value for the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of treatment in our series of patients fall within reported norms and are comparable to results from other low-volume centers. For successful treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, fast diagnosis, correct surgical or endovascular treatment and proper intensive pre- and postoperative care are of utmost importance.

Temporary hidden aneurysms during pregnancy. A case report

SUMMARY

There are a number of reports on cerebral aneurysmal ruptures during pregnancy. Although the cerebral aneurysmal rupture is quite rare during pregnancy, it leads to a high maternal mortality; which gives rise to a clinical significance. We have encountered a number of multiple cerebral aneurysms during pregnancy, and the ruptured cases were successfully treated with the coiling procedures. The coiling is found to be a good treatment method for ruptured aneurysms during pregnancy. The cerebral angiogram is the gold standard diagnostic method for detecting cerebral aneurysms. However, 1.8-20% of the cases are reported to be false negative in initial angiography, and only up to 20% can be diagnosed even with the additional angiographies.A special attention for a hidden aneurysm should also be required while managing the patients.

Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms during pregnancy: report of three cases

Subarachnoid hemorrhage from an intracranial aneurysm during pregnancy is a rare complication with high maternal and fetal morbidity-mortality. We report three cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms during pregnancy, treated by the minimal invasive endovascular approach.

[Hospital mortality in subarachnoid hemorrhage. Experience of the "Barcelona Registry of Cerebrovascular Diseases"]

OBJECTIVES

To determine clinical predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data de 184 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were obtained from consecutive stroke included in the prospective "Barcelona Stroke Registry". Demographic, anamnestic, clinical, neuroimaging and outcome variables in the subgroup of patients who died were compared with those in the surviving subgroup. The independent predictive value of each variable on the development of death was assessed with a logistic regression analysis. Three predictive models were constructed. A first model was based on demographic and clinical variables (total 10 variables). A second model was based on demographic, clinical and neuroimaging variables (total 17). A third model was based on demographic, clinical, neuroimaging and outcome variables (total 21).

RESULTS

In-hospital death was observed in 44 patients (24%). Transient neurological deficit (OR = 13.92; 95% CI: 1.01-191.95), progressive deficit (OR = 4.21; 95% IC: 1.28-13.86), limb weakness (OR = 3.24; 95% IC: 1.49-7.08) and age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.09) appeared to be independent prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality in the first predictive model. In addition to these variables, intraventricular hemorrhage (OR = 5.51; 95% CI: 1.94-16.04) was selected in the second predictive model. Transient neurological deficit (OR = 41.2; 95% CI: 1.61-1056.2), neurological complications (OR = 11.04; CI del 95%: 3.85-31.74), carotid aneurysm (OR = 6.61; 95% CI: 1.23-35.43), intraventricular hemorrhage (OR = 5.51; 95% CI: 1.65-18.4), progressive deficit (OR = 5.35; 95% CI: 1.11-25.90) and hemispheric intracerebral hemorrhage (OR = 4.32; 95% CI: 1.35-13.90), appeared to be independent prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality in the third model.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical features easily obtained at the patient's bedside in addition to neuroimaging data easily obtained in routine neuroimaging studies help clinicians to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Transient neurological deficit prior to definitive subarachnoid hemorrhage was the main clinical predictor of in-hospital mortality.

Predictive clinical factors of very early in-hospital mortality in subarachnoid hemorrhage

This study was conducted to determine clinical predictors of very early in-hospital mortality (within the first 72 h) in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Data of 184 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were obtained from consecutive stroke patients included in the prospective Barcelona Stroke Registry. Demographic, anamnestic, clinical, neurological and neuroimaging variables in the subgroup of patients who died within 72 h after the onset of symptoms were compared with those in the subgroup of patients that had survived this initial period. The independent predictive value of each variable on the development of very early death was assessed with a logistic regression analysis. Very early in-hospital death was observed in 18 patients (9.8%). These patients were significantly more likely to have progressive deficit, seizures, altered consciousness, limb weakness, sensory involvement and basal ganglia hematoma than patients without very early death. After multivariate analysis, only progressive deficit (odds ratio (OR) 6.90; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2-23.80) and limb weakness (OR 5.46; 95% CI 1.78-16.77) were independent clinical predictors of very early mortality. Progressive neurological deficit and limb weakness at the onset of stroke was independent predictive factors of very early death in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. These results further emphasize the need to establish an early etiological diagnosis and to manage these patients aggressively including early surgery in selected cases.

The possible role of CSF hydrodynamic parameters following in management of SAH patients

It is suggested that reduced intracranial compliance may be present even when measured ICP is normal and may precede clinical deterioration. Our findings reflect a decompensation of hydrodynamic parameters more pronounced 4-7 postictal days, when compliance is reduced not only in patients with poor clinical condition, but also in patients with Hunt-Hess grade I-III. Increased CSF outflow resistance in the first few days is not surprising; it is thought to be due to the blockage of flow of CSF through the basal subarachnoid cisterns and clogging of the arachnoid villi with erythrocytes and fibrin. Enlargement of ventricles seen on CT scan at the same time suggests the development of acute hydrocephalus. During the first days after SAH, our data reflects evidence of ventricular enlargement in patients presenting with both poor and better clinical condition. We conclude that the monitoring of ICP and dynamic measuring of CSF hydrodynamic parameters is important for longer than the generally accepted few days for selected cases after SAH.

Intracranial hemorrhage: diagnosis and emergency management

Intracranial hemorrhages are an important cause of acute neurologic disease presenting in the emergency setting. To optimize outcome, it is important that the physician quickly recognize intracranial hemorrhages. To minimize mortality and neurologic morbidity, it is often necessary to initiate urgent therapy in the emergency rooms and to obtain neurosurgical consultation in order to pursue early surgical therapy. This article discusses the recognition and early treatment of the various types of intracranial hemorrhages.

Safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

To study the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils.

METHODS

From August 1992 until December 1995, 75 patients were referred for endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms. There were 49 women and 26 men, with a mean age of 55 years. Patients were classified according to the Hunt and Hess grading system. There were 18 Grade I patients (24%), 13 Grade II patients (17%), 30 Grade III patients (40%), 11 Grade IV patients (15%), and 3 Grade V patients (4%). Fifty patients (66%) were treated within 48 hours, and 64 (85%) were treated within 1 week of hemorrhage. The most frequently treated aneurysms were located at the basilar bifurcation (32%), anterior communicating artery (16%), posterior communicating artery (15%), and ophthalmic segment of the carotid artery (11%). Most of the aneurysms were smaller than 15 mm (77%). Fifty-six percent of the aneurysms had small (4 mm) necks, and 44% had wide (> 4 mm) necks. Clinical follow-up was performed at 6 months, and results were classified according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Control angiograms were performed immediately, at 6 months, and yearly thereafter.

RESULTS

Immediate angiographic results were considered to be satisfactory in 58 patients (77%) (complete obliteration, 40%; residual neck and dog ear, 37%). Technical failures occurred in 5 patients (7%), and 12 patients experienced some residual opacification of their aneurysms (16%). The procedure-related mortality and morbidity rate was 8%. At 6 months, the outcomes were as follows: GOS score of 1, 50 patients (66.7%); GOS score of 2, 4 patients (5.3%); GOS score of 3, 4 patients (5.3%); and GOS score of 5, 17 patients (22.7%). The main causes of death and disability at 6 months were the direct effect of the initial hemorrhage (9%), delayed ischemia (6.7%), subsequent bleeding (4%), intraprocedural rupture (4%), open surgical complications (3%), and unrelated deaths (4%). Six-month angiographic follow-up data were available for 50 patients (67%). The morphological results were considered to be satisfactory in 44 of these 50 patients (88%) (complete occlusion, 46%; residual neck or dog ear, 42%).

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms was attempted without clinically significant complication in 92% of the patients. The morphological results were unsatisfactory in 23% of the patients. Complete obliteration of the sac, with or without residual neck, is essential to prevent subsequent bleeding, which occurred in 5% of the patients. The overall outcome at 6 months was similar to that of surgical series, despite a selected group of patients with negative prognostic factors.

Increased levels of plasma cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

The pathophysiology of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may involve free radical production and lipid peroxidation. We examined plasma levels of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides (CEOOH) and antioxidants in 25 patients with SAH, and 10 neurologic controls with lacunar stroke. Patients with SAH had significantly increased plasma levels of CEOOH, which peaked on day 5 after the ictus. Concentrations of CEOOH were significantly increased, and ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly decreased in patients who developed vasospasm compared with patients without vasospasm. Increased levels of CEOOH were associated with increased mortality and correlated with clinical outcome scales. These results implicate oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of SAH and suggest that measurements of CEOOH in plasma may be useful both prognostically as well as in monitoring therapeutic interventions.

Warning leak and management outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

The impact of warning leaks on management results in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was evaluated in this prospective study. In a consecutive series of 422 patients with aneurysmal SAH, 84 patients (19.9%) had an episode suggesting a warning leak; 34 (40.5%) of these patients were seen by a physician without the condition being recognized. The warning leak occurred less than 2 weeks before a major SAH in 75% of the patients. A good outcome was experienced by 53.6% of patients who had a warning leak versus 63.3% of those who had no warning leak. In a subgroup of patients who had an interval of 3 days or less from warning leak to SAH, only 36.4% had a good outcome. The proportion of patients in good neurological condition (Hunt and Hess Grades I and II) who had a good outcome was 88.1% in the group with no warning leak versus 53.6% in the group whose SAH was preceded by a warning leak. A difference of 35% between these two groups reflects the impact of an undiagnosed warning leak on patient outcome, based on the assumption that patients with a warning leak had clinical conditions no worse than Hunt and Hess Grade II at the time of the episode. In the subgroup of patients with the short interval between warning leak and SAH, the difference was almost 52%. The difference in outcome also reflects the potential improvement in outcome that can be achieved by a correct diagnosis of the warning leak. If the correct diagnosis is made in patients seeking medical attention due to a warning leak, favorable outcomes in the overall management of aneurysmal SAH are estimated to increase by 2.8%. An active diagnostic attitude toward patients experiencing a sudden and severe headache is warranted as it offers a means of improving overall outcome in patients with SAH.

The Cochrane Collaboration Stroke Review Group

Background There is a pressing need to identify which interventions are definitely effective in the prevention of stroke and in the treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients, which interventions are definitely ineffective, and which interventions require further research. This information is most reliably obtained from reviewing all the available evidence from randomized controlled trials in a systematic way.

Summary of Comment There have been many (at least 800) randomized controlled trials relevant to stroke. It would be difficult for any one individual to keep track of all these trials, and therefore most clinicians, therapists, and researchers are dependent, to some degree, on reviews of this literature. However, most current reviews are unsystematic and tend to be either incomplete or biased, so that their recommendations can be seriously flawed. Until now there has been no attempt to systematically identify all randomized controlled trials relevant to stroke (including subarachnoid hemorrhage), to review the data they contain, and to keep these reviews up-to-date in the light of new evidence. The Stroke Review Group has now been established within the Cochrane Collaboration to try to perform these tasks. There are presently 40 collaborators from 13 countries working on approximately 25 reviews.

Conclusions Identifying and reviewing all randomized controlled trials relevant to stroke should bring important benefits to patients and all those involved in purchasing or providing care for patients with stroke. The Cochrane Collaboration Stroke Review Group has started this process and would welcome help from anyone interested in collaborating in this enormous task.