Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Pseudo-Subarachnoid Haemorrhage who were Successfully Resuscitated from Out-of-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Arrest

Abstract

Introduction Pseudo-subarachnoid haemorrhage (PSAH) is a rare neuroradiological finding seen in patients with diffuse cerebral edemas. We investigated clinical characteristics and risk factors for the development of PSAH. Method The successfully resuscitated patients in emergency department were classified into two groups: those with pseudo-SAH [PSAH (+)] and those without pseudo-SAH [PSAH (-)]. Clinical variables were analysed. Results Pseudo-SAH was found in 31.6% of patients. PSAH was more common in males (p=0.042). The mean age was 39.9±10.3 years in the PSAH (+) group and 54.4±22.0 years in the PSAH (-) group (p=0.038). Outcomes measured by Cerebral Performance Category score were also significantly different between the two groups (p=0.037). Logistic regression analysis found that serum lactate concentration and duration of anoxia were associated with the development of PSAH (with odds ratios and p values of 1.92, p=0.01 and 1.13, p=0.02, respectively). Conclusions PSAH itself is a phenomenon that could be seen in post-resuscitation encephalopathy as a consequence of severe anoxic insult.