Everyday memory in microsurgically treated patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage

The Local Intraarterial Administration of Nimodipine Might Positively Affect Clinical Outcome in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia

The effect of the intraarterial administration of nimodipine as a rescue measure to treat delayed vasospasm after aSAH remains understudied; therefore, we evaluated its effect on short- and long-term functional and neuropsychological outcomes after aSAH. In this prospective observational study, a total of 107 consecutive patients treated for aSAH of WFNS grades I−V were recruited. At follow-up visits 3-, 12- and 24-months after the hemorrhage, functional outcome was assessed using the Extended Glasgow Outcome (GOSE) and modified Rankin (mRS) scales, while neurocognitive function was evaluated using the screening module of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB-S). The outcome of patients, who had received rescue therapy according to the local standard treatment protocol (interventional group, n = 37), and those, who had been treated conservatively (conservative group, n = 70), were compared. Even though significantly more patients in the interventional treatment group suffered from high-grade aSAH (WFNS Grades IV and V, 54.1% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.04) and required continuous drainage of cerebrospinal fluid at discharge (67.7% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.02) compared to the control group, significant differences in functional outcome were present only at discharge and three months after the bleeding (GOSE > 4 in 8.1% vs. 41.4% and 28.6% vs. 72.7%, p < 0.001 and p = 0.01 for the interventional and control group, respectively). Thereafter, group differences were no longer significant. While significantly more patients in the intervention group had severe neuropsychological deficits (76.3% vs. 36.0% and 66.7% vs. 29.2%, p = 0.04 and 0.05, respectively) and were unable to work (5.9% vs. 38.1%, p = 0.03 at twelve months) at three and twelve months after the hemorrhage, no significant differences between the two groups could be detected at long-term follow-up. The presence of moderate neuropsychological impairments did not significantly differ between the groups at any timepoint. In conclusion, despite initially being significantly more impaired, patients treated with intraarterial administration of nimodipine reached the same functional and neuropsychological outcomes at medium- and long-term follow-up as conservatively treated patients suggesting a potential beneficial effect of intraarterial nimodipine treatment for delayed vasospasm after aSAH.

Cognitive deficits among patients surviving aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. A contemporary systematic review

BACKGROUND

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with high rates of morbidity, including neurological and cognitive deficits that may be difficult to identify and quantify. This review provides an update on the cognitive deficits that may result from spontaneous aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) and identifies factors that may help predict and manage these deficits at discharge and thereafter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies published between 2010 and 2019 that assessed cognitive deficits at discharge and during follow-up in patients with aSAH. Full-text articles were assessed for information regarding cognitive testing and factors that may be associated with functional outcomes in this population.

RESULTS

We reviewed 65 studies published since 2010 that described the cognitive deficits associated with non-traumatic aSAH. Such deficits may impact functional outcomes, quality of life, and return to work and may result in cognitive impairments, such as memory difficulties, speech problems, and psychiatric disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with aSAH, even those that appear normal at the time of hospital discharge, may harbor cognitive deficits that are difficult to detect, yet can interfere with daily functioning. Further research is needed to provide additional information and to identify stronger correlations to be used in the identification, treatment, and amelioration of long-term cognitive deficits in aSAH patients, including those who are discharged with good clinical outcomes scores.

The neuropsychological assessment battery (NAB) is a valuable tool for evaluating neuropsychological outcome after aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background

Detecting and treating neuropsychological deficits after aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) play a key role in regaining independence; however, detecting deficits relevant to social and professional reintegration has been difficult and optimal timing of assessments remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of administering the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery screening module (NAB-S) to patients with aSAH, assessed its value in predicting the ability to return to work and characterized clinical as well as neuropsychological recovery over the period of 24 months.

Methods

A total of 104 consecutive patients treated for aSAH were recruited. After acute treatment, follow up visits were conducted at 3, 12 and 24 months after the hemorrhage. NAB-S, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and physical examination were performed at each follow up visit.

Results

The NAB-S could be administered to 64.9, 75.9 and 88.9% of the patients at 3, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Moderate impairment of two or more neuropsychological domains (e.g speech, executive function, etc.) significantly correlated with inability to return to work at 12 and 24 months as well as poor outcome assessed by the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) at 3, 12 and 24 months. The number of patients with favorable outcomes significantly increased from 25.5% at discharge to 56.5 and 57.1% at 3 and 12 months, respectively, and further increased to 74.1% after 24 months.

Conclusion

The NAB-S can be administered to the majority of patients with aSAH and can effectively detect clinically relevant neuropsychological deficits. Clinical recovery after aSAH continues for at least 24 months after the hemorrhage which should be considered in the design of future clinical trials.

Cognitive Outcomes After Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Repair

Background The long-term cognitive and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes after treatment of ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms are unknown. Methods Potential participants were all consecutive patients with ruptured ACoA aneurysms who were treated at one institution from July 1992 to December 2008. All potential participants were asked to complete the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Center for Epidemiology Studies-Depression (CES-D) questionnaire, Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified (TICS-M). Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed for baseline demographics and clinical status, intra-operative details, and post-operative course. Reporting of cognitive and QoL assessment results was stratified by treatment method (endovascular coil embolization and surgical clipping by pterional craniotomy or orbitocranial craniotomy). Results In total, 82 patients (18 treated with coiling, 27 by orbitocranial craniotomy, and 37 by pterional craniotomy) were included in this study. In total, 32 patients (9 treated by coiling, 11 by orbitocranial craniotomy, and 16 by pterional craniotomy) completed follow-up cognitive and QoL questionnaires. The mean follow-up for patients who completed the questionnaires was 8.64±3.81 years. The three groups did not differ in questionnaires assessing cognitive status (TICS-M p=0.114, CFQ p=0.111). Moreover, there were no observed differences in QoL or depression scores between the three groups. Conclusions At long-term follow-up, QoL, cognitive, and depression test scores of patients with ruptured ACoA aneurysms are similar across open surgery and coiling modalities. Our results emphasize the importance of considering long-term outcomes with validated daily measures of functioning when reporting on outcomes after treatment for ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Larger prospective studies are required to further explore the results.

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Neuroinflammation: A Comprehensive Review

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can lead to devastating outcomes including vasospasm, cognitive decline, and even death. Currently, treatment options are limited for this potentially life threatening injury. Recent evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in injury expansion and brain damage. Red blood cell breakdown products can lead to the release of inflammatory cytokines that trigger vasospasm and tissue injury. Preclinical models have been used successfully to improve understanding about neuroinflammation following aneurysmal rupture. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of how neuroinflammation relates to secondary outcomes such as vasospasm after aneurysmal rupture and to critically discuss pharmaceutical agents that warrant further investigation for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We provide a concise overview of the neuroinflammatory pathways that are upregulated following aneurysmal rupture and how these pathways correlate to long-term outcomes. Treatment of aneurysm rupture is limited and few pharmaceutical drugs are available. Through improved understanding of biochemical mechanisms of injury, novel treatment solutions are being developed that target neuroinflammation. In the final sections of this review, we highlight a few of these novel treatment approaches and emphasize why targeting neuroinflammation following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage may improve patient care. We encourage ongoing research into the pathophysiology of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially in regards to neuroinflammatory cascades and the translation to randomized clinical trials.