Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Score Research Articles

401 Applying Machine Learning for Risk Stratification and Acute Clinical Outcome Prediction Amongst Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients

INTRODUCTION: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common stroke subtype and is often caused by aneurysmal rupture. Accurately predicting aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) clinical outcomes may facilitate timely and effective treatment. METHODS: A dataset encompassing 12,070 aSAH Australian patients was analysed using multivariate logistic regression and machine learning techniques. Models were designed to predict the need for a surgical procedure, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, the need for continuous ventilation, prolonged length of stay (LOS), mortality, and discharge status. RESULTS: Surgical intervention was positively associated with younger age and female gender and negatively associated with indigenous Australian status. ICU admission was positively associated with age, female gender, surgery and indigenous status. The need for continuous ventilation was associated with age and ICU admission and negatively associated with female gender and surgery. Prolonged LOS was associated with older age, undergoing surgery and requiring ICU admission. Mortality was negatively associated with younger age, female gender and receiving surgical treatment. The Monash SAH Scores were developed, consisting of four scales that may be used to efficiently facilitate risk stratification and decision making in clinical practice. Machine learning models were capable of accurately predicting mortality with strong performance. CONCLUSIONS: This nation-wide study identified risk factors associated with acute clinical outcomes amongst aSAH patients. A simple scoring system was developed that may be readily applied to clinical practice to facilitate aSAH patient risk stratification and treatment planning.

Acacetin inhibits activation of microglia to improve neuroinflammation after subarachnoid hemorrhage through the PERK signaling pathway mediated autophagy.

To explore the effect of acacetin on subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its possible mechanism. SAH model of rat was established, and intraperitoneally injected with three doses of acacetin. To verify the role of PERK pathway, we used the CCT020312 (PERK inhibitor) and Tunicamycin (activators of endoplasmic reticulum stress). The SAH score, neurological function score, brain edema content, and Evans blue (EB) exudate were evaluated. Western blot was used to determine the expression of inflammation-associated proteins and PERK pathway. The activation of microglia was also determined through Iba-1 detection. TEM and immunofluorescence staining of LC3B were performed to observe the autophagy degree of SAH rats after acacetin. Tunel/NeuN staining, HE and Nissl' staining were performed for neuronal damage. Acacetin increased the neurological function score, reduce brain water content, Evans blue exudation and SAH scores. The microglia in cerebral cortex were activated after SAH, while acacetin could inhibit its activation, and decreased the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 proteins. The pathological staining showed the severe neuronal damage and increased neuronal apoptosis after SAH, while acacetin could improve these pathological changes. We also visualized the alleviated autophagy after acacetin. The expression of Beclin1 and ATF4 proteins were increased, but acacetin could inhibit them. Acacetin also inactivated PERK pathway, which could improve the neuronal injury and neuroinflammation after SAH, inhibit the microglia activation and the overactivated autophagy through PERK pathway. Acacetin may alleviate neuroinflammation and neuronal damage through PERK pathway, thus having the protective effect on EBI after SAH.

Periprocedural cerebrovascular complications and 30-day outcomes of endovascular treatment for intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms.

The authors undertook an evaluation of periprocedural cerebrovascular complications and 30-day outcomes of endovascular treatment for intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (IVADAs) and assessed the relevant risk factors. The authors included a series of 195 patients who had undergone endovascular treatment for 198 IVADAs. Clinical data, morphological characteristics, treatment details, and periprocedural cerebrovascular complications including intraprocedural rupture, intraprocedural thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and ischemic stroke (IS) were recorded. After evaluation of the 30-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, the authors applied univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify the risk factors for complications and 30-day unfavorable clinical outcomes. There were no intraprocedural ruptures, but the authors recorded intraprocedural thrombosis (n = 5), ICH (n = 3), TIA (n = 1), and IS (n = 13), comprising an 11.1% (22/198) complication rate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that hyperlipidemia (odds ratio [OR] 3.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-8.41, p = 0.020), IS history (OR 5.55, 95% CI 1.46-21.01, p = 0.012), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.52-13.20, p = 0.007) were risk factors for overall complications, whereas aneurysmal height (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.98, p = 0.032) was a protective factor. SAH (OR 6.44, 95% CI 1.54-26.89, p = 0.011) and preprocedural mRS score > 2 (OR 5.07, 95% CI 1.01-25.59, p = 0.049) were independent risk factors for perforator occlusion stroke. Periprocedural cerebrovascular complications (OR 32.09, 95% CI 3.00-343.94, p = 0.004) and preprocedural mRS score > 2 (OR 319.92, 95% CI 30.28-3379.98, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for 30-day unfavorable clinical outcomes. Hyperlipidemia, IS history, and SAH were independent predictors for overall periprocedural cerebrovascular complications of endovascular treatment for IVADAs, but aneurysmal height was an independent protective factor. SAH and preprocedural mRS score > 2 were independent risk factors for perforator occlusion stroke. Preprocedural mRS score > 2 and periprocedural complications were independent risk factors for 30-day unfavorable clinical outcomes.

Investigation and modulation of interleukin-6 following subarachnoid hemorrhage: targeting inflammatory activation for cerebral vasospasm

BackgroundCerebral vasospasm (CV) can contribute to significant morbidity in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. A key unknown is how CV induction is triggered following SAH.MethodsHuman aneurysmal blood and cerebral spinal fluid were collected for evaluation. To confirm mechanism, c57/bl6 wild type and c57/bl6 IL-6 female knockout (KO) mice were utilized with groups: saline injected, SAH, SAH + IL-6 blockade, SAH IL-6 KO, SAH IL-6 KO + IL-6 administration, SAH + p-STAT3 inhibition. Dual-labeled microglia/myeloid mice were used to show myeloid diapedesis. For SAH, 50 μm blood was collected from tail puncture and administered into basal cisterns. IL-6 blockade was given at various time points. Various markers of neuroinflammation were measured with western blot and immunohistochemistry. Cerebral blood flow was also measured. Vasospasm was measured via cardiac injection of India ink/gelatin. Turning test and Garcia’s modified SAH score were utilized. P < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsIL-6 expression peaked 3 days following SAH (p < 0.05). Human IL-6 was increased in aneurysmal blood (p < 0.05) and in cerebral spinal fluid (p < 0.01). Receptor upregulation was periventricular and perivascular. Microglia activation following SAH resulted in increased caveolin 3 and myeloid diapedesis. A significant increase in BBB markers endothelin 1 and occludin was noted following SAH, but reduced with IL-6 blockade (p < 0.01). CV occurred 5 days post-SAH, but was absent in IL-6 KO mice and mitigated with IL-6 blockade (p < 0.05). IL-6 blockade, and IL-6 KO mitigated effects of SAH on cerebral blood flow (p < 0.05). SAH mice had impaired performance on turn test and poor modified Garcia scores compared to saline and IL-6 blockade. A distinct microglia phenotype was noted day 5 in the SAH group (overlap coefficients r = 0.96 and r = 0.94) for Arg1 and iNOS, which was altered by IL-6 blockade. Day 7, a significant increase in toll-like receptor 4 and Stat3 was noted. This was mitigated by IL-6 blockade and IL-6 KO, which also reduced Caspase 3 (p < 0.05). To confirm the mechanism, we developed a p-STAT3 inhibitor that targets the IL-6 pathway and this reduced NFΚB, TLR4, and nitrotyrosine (p < 0.001). Ventricular dilation and increased Tunel positivity was noted day 9, but resolved by IL-6 blockade (p < 0.05).ConclusionCorrelation between IL-6 and CV has been well documented. We show that a mechanistic connection exists via the p-STAT3 pathway, and IL-6 blockade provides benefit in reducing CV and its consequences mediated by myeloid cell origin diapedesis.Graphical abstract

A Quantitative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Grading System, Including Supratentorial and Infratentorial Cisterns, With Multiplanar Computed Tomography Reformations.

BackgroundSubarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) grading scales typically evaluate a limited number of cisterns on the axial plane. The goal of our study is to apply a simple quantitative yet comprehensive SAH grading scale to all major intracranial cisterns, including the infratentorial cisterns, with multiplanar computed tomography (CT) reformations.MethodologyWe performed a retrospective review of 94 consecutive cases of spontaneous SAH presenting within 72 hours of onset. SAH was categorized into five grades based on the short-axis thickness of SAH in 20 intracranial cisterns measured on the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Statistical analysis was performed for inter-rater agreement with kappa statistics, for inter-plane agreement by Spearman correlation statistics, and for inter-rater and inter-plane agreement by Pearson correlation statistics.ResultsThe extended kappa coefficient for the three reviewers across all 20 cisterns varied from 0.38 (0.27, 0.50) to 0.59 (0.52, 0.65) on the axial plane. The kappa coefficient for two reviewers varied from 0.46 (0.33, 0.59) to 0.70 (0.60, 0.80) on the coronal plane and from 0.35 (0.20, 0.49) to 0.87 (0.77, 0.96) on the sagittal plane. The average grade of cisterns per case demonstrated mostly excellent correlation between the imaging planes with Spearman correlation statistics (≥0.70). Pairwise concordance correlation coefficient of the total SAH score revealed agreement ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 in all three planes. Pearson correlation statistics of the average total SAH scores revealed excellent correlation among the three planes (≥0.91).ConclusionA simple quantitative SAH grading scale can be successfully applied to the supratentorial and infratentorial cisterns in three standard CT imaging planes.

Validation and Comparison of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Grading Scales in Angiogram-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients.

Numerous grading scales have been proposed to predict the outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, these have not been validated in angiogram-negative SAH patients. In this study, we aim to validate and compare the aneurysmal SAH grading scales in angiogram-negative SAH patients. There were 190 angiogram-negative SAH patients analyzed from January 2014 to December 2015. The outcomes were measured by delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and poor outcome (defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3-6 or 4-6). The predictive performance of the grading scales was assessed via evaluation of distribution, trend, association, and discrimination. In regard to the distribution, none of the patients were categorized as HAIR 8 and SAH score 8. Both grading scales indicated a significant trend between scores and outcome (P < 0.05), and association with the outcome (OR > 1). The modified Fisher Scale (mFS), World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scale (WFNS), and combined scores VASOGRADE and HAIR showed good predictive accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) > 0.750) for DCI. The predictive accuracy in each scale performed well in predicting poor outcome, with the exception of mFS and the Subarachnoid hemorrhage Early Brain Edema Score (SEBES). However, the mFS performed with increased accuracy when predicting mRS 4-6. The VASOGRADE, HAIR, and WFNS may be valuable prognostic tools for predicting both DCI and poor outcome. The mFS can be applicable for predicting DCI and mRS 4-6. The SAH score and the Hunt-Hess were also optimal for predicting poor outcome. The predictive performance of SEBES was relatively poor compared to the other scales.

A Case Series of Double Bypass Technique Used for the Treatment of Internal Carotid Blood Blister-like Aneurysms in Patients in Poor Initial Neurological Condition at the Early Stage of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Optimal surgical treatment of blood-blister aneurysms (BBA) remains controversial. Some surgeons prefer clipping reconstruction while others favor primary bypass with trapping. To analyze of benefit of double bypass technique to surgical outcomes in patients with ruptured BBA in poor initial neurological condition (PINC). Retrospective analysis of clinical, radiological, and surgical data in 9 patients treated between January 2009 and December 2015. Intraoperative middle cerebral artery blood pressure (MCABP) measurement was used for selection of bypass procedure. Seven patients presented with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) score 4 or 5. No pulse pressure in the MCA after internal carotid artery (ICA) clamping was found in 3 patients, although their ACoA or PCoA were well visualized on preoperative angiograms. By contrast, only a minimal drop in MCABP following ICA clamping was detected in two cases, although their collaterals were slim/nonvisualized on imaging. Although angiographic vasospasms were not observed in our patients, two of them experienced cerebral infarction, attributable more to the mass effect and postoperative ICA thrombosis than to SAH-induced vasospasm. There were 2 premature intraoperative ruptures, but no perioperative mortality, aneurysm recurrence, or rebleeding. Five patients with WFNS SAH score 4 or 5 achieved favorable outcomes. Early double bypass technique guided by MCABP measurement and combined with trapping (or rarely clipping) seems to be a safe method with excellent long-term outcomes in patients in PINC. This study may thus contribute to the debate on the optimal treatment strategy for BBA.

Retrospective review of previous minor leak before major subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosed by MRI as a predictor of occurrence of symptomatic delayed cerebral ischemia.

OBJECTIVE This study attempted to determine whether a previous minor leak correlated with the occurrence of symptomatic delayed cerebral ischemia (sDCI). METHODS The authors retrospectively evaluated sDCI-related clinical features and findings from MRI, including T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-FLAIR mismatch at the time of admission, in 151 patients admitted with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) within 48 hours of ictus. RESULTS The overall incidence of sDCI was 23% (35 of 151 patients). In all subjects, multivariate analysis revealed that World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grades II-V, age 70 years or older, presence of rebleeding after admission, a previous minor leak before the major SAH attack as diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch, acute infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging, and CT SAH score were significantly associated with occurrence of sDCI. In patients with no previous minor leak before major SAH as diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch, the incidence of sDCI was only 7% (7 of 97 patients). CONCLUSIONS A previous minor leak before major SAH as diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch represents an important sDCI-related factor. When the analysis was restricted to patients with true acute SAH without a previous minor leak diagnosed by T1WI-FLAIR mismatch, the incidence of sDCI was extremely low.

Preclinical efficacy of human Albumin in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Human Albumin is a unique pleiotropic protein with multiple properties. Previous clinical and laboratory studies have indicated a possible beneficial effect of Albumin in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The present study aimed to further define the preclinical characteristics of Albumin. SAH was induced by endovascular perforation in Sprague–Dawley rats. In the dose-escalation study, Albumin ranging from 0.02g/kg to 1.0g/kg was intravenously infused immediately after SAH. In the therapeutic window study, 1.0g/kg Albumin was administered at 0h, 2h, 4h or 8h after SAH. Physiologic variables were monitored in different Albumin treatment regimens. One day after SAH, neurological scores, SAH scores, blood–brain barrier permeability, neural degeneration and apoptosis were examined. The efficacy of Albumin for SAH was also determined in female rats and in spontaneously hypertensive rats. We found that 0.2g/kg and 1.0g/kg Albumin significantly attenuated sensorimotor deficits, brain edema, IgG leakage, and neuronal degeneration after SAH. The benefits of Albumin existed even when the administration was delayed to 4h after SAH onset. No significant difference was found between 0.2g/kg and 1.0g/kg Albumin groups. In female rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats, Albumin likewise improved neurological outcomes and early brain injury. In conclusion, Albumin could reduce both cerebral lesions and functional deficits in the early stage of SAH. The beneficial regimen occurs within a favorable therapeutic window and is reproducible in different high-risk subjects.

Value of Three-Dimensional Maximum Intensity Projection Display to Assist in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-Based Grading in a Mouse Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BackgroundSubarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is one of the most devastating cerebrovascular disorders. We report on the diagnostic value of three-dimensional (3-D) maximum intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction of T2*-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI), processed using graphical user interface-based software, to aid in the accurate grading of endovascular-perforation-induced SAH in a mouse model.Material/MethodsA total of 30 mice were subjected to SAH by endovascular perforation; three (10%) were scored as grade 0, six (20%) as grade 1, six (20%) as grade 2, eight (27%) as grade 3, and seven (23%) as grade 4 according to T2*-weighted coronal slices. In comparison, none of mice were scored as grade 0, eight (27%) as grade 1, five (17%) as grade 2, nine (30%) as grade 3, and eight (27%) as grade 4 based on subsequent evaluation using reconstructed 3-D MIP images.ResultsMice scored as grade 0 (10%; no visible SAH) on T2*-coronal images were categorized as grades 1 (thin/localized SAH) and 3 (thick/diffuse SAH) according to 3-D MIP images. Grades based on T2* 3-D MIP images were more closely correlated with conventional SAH score (r2=0.59; P<0.0001) and neurological score (r2=0.25; P=0.005) than those based on T2*-coronal slices (r2=0.46; P<0.0001 for conventional score and r2=0.15; P=0.035 for neurological score).ConclusionsThese results suggest that 3-D MIP images generated from T2*-weighted MRI data may be useful for the simple and precise grading of SAH severity in mice to overcome the weakness of the current MRI-based SAH grading system.

The CHESS score: a simple tool for early prediction of shunt dependency after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Acute hydrocephalus is an early and common complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, considerably fewer patients develop chronic hydrocephalus requiring shunt placement. Our aim was to develop a risk score for early identification of patients with shunt dependency after SAH. Two hundred and forty-two SAH individuals who were treated in our institution between January 2008 and December 2013 and survived the initial impact were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical parameters within 72 h after the ictus were correlated with shunt dependency. Independent predictors were summarized into a new risk score which was validated in a subsequent SAH cohort treated between January and December 2014. Seventy-five patients (31%) underwent shunt placement. Of 23 evaluated variables, only the following five showed independent associations with shunt dependency and were subsequently used to establish the Chronic Hydrocephalus Ensuing from SAH Score (CHESS, 0-8 points): Hunt and Hess grade ≥IV (1 point), location of the ruptured aneurysm in the posterior circulation (1 point), acute hydrocephalus (4 points), the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (1 point) and early cerebral infarction on follow-up computed tomography scan (1 point). The CHESS showed strong correlation with shunt dependency (P = 0.0007) and could be successfully validated in both internal SAH cohorts tested. Patients scoring ≥6 CHESS points had significantly higher risk of shunt dependency (P < 0.0001) than other patients. The CHESS may become a valuable diagnostic tool for early estimation of shunt dependency after SAH. Further evaluation and external validation will be required in prospective studies.

Risk Factors for Development of Chronic Hydrocephalus as a Complication of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: Hydrocephalus is known as a common complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with 9 to 67% of patients affected with acute hydrocephalus and 6 to 45% which necessitated a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). The objective of this study was to measure the incidence of acute and chronic hydrocephalus and identify significant predictive factors for VPS implantation. Methods: Information ∼320 patients with newly diagnosed SAH diagnosed between 2008 and 2014 in the University Hospital of Geneva were collected. Analysis was focused on selected parameters based on review of the literature (sex, age, Fisher SAH score, hypertension status, smoking status). Patients were stratified in three groups: no hydrocephalus, acute hydrocephalus requiring external ventricular derivation (EVD), and chronic hydrocephalus needing VPS. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated and significance level estimated using Fisher exact test. Results: The incidence of EVD and VPS in our population were, respectively, 49.2 and 8.8%. Patients with Fisher score III or IV were significantly more likely to suffer acute hydrocephalus (OR 12.3; 95% CI: 3.6–41.2; p < 0.0001). Active smokers were less likely to require EVD (OR 0.40; 95% CI: 0.28–0.81); p < 0.0012). Female patients seem to need EVD slightly more often (OR 1.5, 95% CI: 0.93–2.43; p < 0.1). Fisher score of III or IV (OR 16.5; 95% CI: 3.57–76.29; p < 0.001) and insertion of EVD (OR 9.78; 95% CI: 0.31–1.85; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of chronic hydrocephalus. Age older than 65 year seem to be associated with more chronic hydrocephalus (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 0.9–4.93; p = 0.1). Presence of chronic hypertension, smoking status, and sex were not associated with SAH-induced chronic hydrocephalus. Conclusion: The results indicate that patients with a Fisher score III or higher have a significantly greater risk to develop acute or chronic hydrocephalus. EVD is a predictive factor for the development of chronic hydrocephalus. Active smokers are surprisingly less affected by acute hydrocephalus. Older age has a surprising low association with chronic hydrocephalus.

A magnetic resonance imaging grading system for subarachnoid hemorrhage severity in a rat model

BackgroundThe endovascular perforation model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has a large variation in outcomes. This may reflect differences in the SAH size. New methodMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 24h after endovascular perforation in adult male (n=58) and female (n=58) rats. Rats were divided into five grades according to MRI characteristics: grade 0: no SAH or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH); grade 1: minimal or thin SAH without IVH; grade 2: minimal or thin SAH with IVH; grade 3: thick SAH without IVH; grade 4: thick SAH with IVH. We investigated whether MRI grading scale reflected severity of SAH (determined post mortem) and neurological score. ResultsThere was a strong correlation between MRI grading scale and current SAH grading scale (P<0.01) and neurological score (P<0.01) in male rats. In female rats, there was also a strong correlation between MRI grading scale and SAH grading scale (P<0.01) but not with neurological score (P=0.24). Comparison with existing methodsThe current grading system is based on the amount of SAH and needs animal euthanasia to evaluate SAH severity. There is no useful grading system to classify severity of SAH without decapitating animals. ConclusionsWe demonstrated a correlation between the MRI grading scale and the current SAH grading scale in an endovascular perforation rat model. The MRI grading scale allows evaluation of SAH severity without euthanizing animals.

Arterial injuries after penetrating brain injury in civilians: risk factors on admission head computed tomography.

The object of this study was to determine the specific CT findings of the injury profile in penetrating brain injury (PBI) that are risk factors related to intracranial arterial injuries. The authors retrospectively evaluated admission head CTs and accompanying digital subtraction angiography (DSA) studies from patients with penetrating trauma to the head in the period between January 2005 and December 2012. Two authors reviewed the CT images to determine the presence or absence of 30 injury profile variables and quantified selected variables. The CT characteristics in patients with and without arterial injuries were compared using univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the respective risk factors, independent predictors, and optimal threshold values for the continuous variables. Fifty-five patients were eligible for study inclusion. The risk factors for an intracranial arterial injury on univariate analysis were an entry wound over the frontobasal-temporal regions, a bihemispheric wound trajectory, a wound trajectory in proximity to the circle of Willis (COW), a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a higher SAH score, an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and a higher IVH score. A trajectory in proximity to the COW was the best predictor of injury (OR 6.8 and p = 0.005 for all penetrating brain injuries [PBIs]; OR 13.3 and p = 0.001 for gunshot wounds [GSWs]). Significant quantitative variables were higher SAH and IVH scores. An SAH score of 3 (area under the ROC curve [AUC] for all PBIs 0.72; AUC for GSWs 0.71) and an IVH score of 3 (AUC for all PBIs 0.65; AUC for GSWs 0.65) could be used as threshold values to suggest an arterial injury. The risk factors identified may help radiologists suggest the possibility of arterial injury and prioritize neurointerventional consultation and potential DSA studies.

Risk Stratification for the In-Hospital Mortality in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The HAIR Score

The intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score is a simple grading scale that can be used to stratify risk of 30 day mortality in ICH patients. A similar risk stratification scale for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is lacking. We sought to develop a risk stratification mortality score for SAH. With approval from the Institutional Review Board, we retrospectively reviewed 400 consecutive SAH patients admitted to our institution from August 1, 2006 to March 1, 2011. The SAH score was developed from a multivariable logistic regression model which was validated with bootstrap method. A separate cohort of 302 SAH patients was used for evaluation of the score. Among 400 patients with SAH, the mean age was 56.9 ± 13.9 years (range, 21.5-96.2). Among the 366 patients with known causes of SAH, 292 (79.8%) of patients had aneurysmal SAH, 65 (17.8%) were angiogram negative, and 9 (2%) were other vascular causes. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 20%. In multivariable analysis, the variables independently associated with the in-hospital mortality were Hunt and Hess score (HH) (p < 0.0001), age (p < 0.0001), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (p = 0.049), and re-bleed (p = 0.01). The SAH score (0-8) was made by adding the following points: HH (HH1-3 = 0, HH4 = 1, HH5 = 4), age (<60 = 0, 60-80 = 1, ≥80 = 2), IVH (no = 0, yes = 1), and re-bleed within 24 h (no = 0, yes = 1). Using our model, the in-hospital mortality rates for patients with score of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were 0.9, 4.5, 9.1, 34.5, 52.9, 60, 82.1, and 83.3% respectively. Validation analysis indicates good predictive performance of this model. The SAH score allows a practical method of risk stratification of the in-hospital mortality. The in-hospital mortality increases with increasing SAH mortality score. Further investigation is warranted to validate these findings.

Retrospective analysis of predictors of cerebral vasospasm after ruptured cerebral aneurysm surgery: influence of the location of subarachnoid blood

The amount of blood on computed tomography (CT) has been shown to be a predictor of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the influence of the location of the blood on the incidence of vasospasm remains unclear. We retrospectively assessed the association of the blood volumes in the individual components (cisterns and fissures) of CT scans with angiographic vasospasm after SAH. One hundred forty-nine SAH patients scheduled for cerebral aneurysm clipping were enrolled. The amount of subarachnoid blood was classified using the Fisher CT grade. The amounts of subarachnoid blood in 5 cisterns or 3 fissures were also evaluated using SAH scores ranging from 0 to 3 (0, no blood; 3, completely filled with blood). Cerebral vasospasm was diagnosed by the results of angiography. Angiographic vasospasm developed in 51 of 149 patients (34%). Of those, 26 patients were symptomatic. The Fisher CT grade and SAH scores in the right and left sylvian fissures and suprasellar cisterns were significantly higher in patients with angiographic vasospasm than in those without it. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a high Fisher CT grade and high SAH scores in the right and left sylvian fissures and suprasellar cisterns were predictors of angiographic vasospasm. Multivariate analysis indicated that the SAH score in the right sylvian fissure was an independent predictor of angiographic vasospasm (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-7.7; P = 0.01). The results indicated that the amount of blood in the right sylvian fissure was significantly associated with the development of angiographic vasospasm after SAH.

Relation among aneurysm size, amount of subarachnoid blood, and clinical outcome

The authors of recent reports have suggested that smaller aneurysms are associated with more extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which could potentially presage poor outcome in patients harboring these lesions. The authors reviewed their clinical experience to determine if this theory has a basis in truth. The authors undertook a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with aneurysmal SAH. Computed tomography scans and angiograms were studied to establish SAH scores and aneurysm size. One hundred thirty-three patients were treated during a 2-year period (January 2003-December 2004). There were 101 female and 32 male patients whose mean age was 56.7 years. The location distribution of aneurysms that bled was as follows: anterior communicating artery (56 cases), posterior communicating artery (34 cases), middle cerebral artery (21 cases), posterior circulation (16 cases), and paraclinoid region (six cases). The mean aneurysm size was 6.2 mm (range 2-26 mm). The mean SAH score was 18.3 (not normally distributed, p < 0.01, D'Agostino-Pearson test). One hundred three patients underwent surgical exploration and placement of an aneurysm clip, 21 underwent deployment of a coil, and two underwent both therapies; seven patients died prior to intervention. No correlation was found between aneurysm size and SAH score (r(s) = -0.023, p = 0.8) or between small aneurysm size and poor Glasgow Outcome Scale score (p = 0.13). In fact, the trend was the opposite. The SAH score did, however, correspond strongly with the admission Hunt and Hess grade (p < 0.0001), indicating the strong correlation between grade and volume of intracranial blood. Outcome was best explained in the multivariate analysis by the following factors: admission Hunt and Hess grade, age, and clinical vasospasm (p < 0.0001) with the proportion of cases correctly classified as 79.7%. Evaluation of the results in the present clinical series suggests that there is no relation between aneurysm size and volume of subarachnoid blood. The volume of cisternal blood correlates with Hunt and Hess grade but is not an independent determinant of outcome. Outcome is related to the following triad of well-established clinical factors: Hunt and Hess grade, age, and clinical vasospasm.

Predicting the overall management outcome in patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage accompanied by a massive intracerebral or full-packed intraventricular hemorrhage: a 15-year retrospective study

Background Patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accompanied by a massive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or a full-packed intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) have poor outcomes. We evaluated the clinical factors to predict the overall outcome in such patients. Methods Data on nontraumatic SAH patients were collected and classified into 3 groups: the pure SAH group (SAH accompanied with neither ICH nor IVH), the ICH group (SAH accompanied with a massive ICH; hematoma 30 mL), and the IVH group (SAH and all ventricles were full-packed with hematoma). One hundred seventy-nine patients were in the ICH group and 109 in the IVH group. We evaluated clinical factors, such as the Hunt & Hess (H&H) score on admission, age, sex, history, rebleeding ratio, and the computerized tomography findings (SAH score). Results The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis of clinical variables in the ICH group, good and intermediate H&H grades, younger age (<70), no rebleeding, and lower SAH score were associated with a favorable outcome. In the result of the multivariate logistic regression analysis of clinical variables in the IVH group, only a higher SAH score was associated with an unfavorable outcome. Conclusions In the ICH group, factors that could be used to predict a favorable outcome included good and intermediate H&H scores (1, 2, and 3) on admission, younger age (<70), and a lower SAH score. In the IVH group, the main factor that could be used to predict a favorable outcome was a lower SAH score.