Surgery For Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Research Articles

A commentary on "Timing of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis".

A commentary on "Timing of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis".

Clinical Analysis of Poor Outcomes After Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Guizhou, China

To investigate poor outcomes of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and compare the clinicodemographic characteristics, imaging features, intervention strategies, laboratory tests, and complications of patients with good and poor outcomes to identify potential risk factors. We retrospectively analyzed patients with aSAH who underwent surgery in Guizhou, China, between June 1, 2014, and September 1, 2022. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was used to evaluate outcomes at discharge, with scores of 1-3 and 4-5 considered poor and good, respectively. Clinicodemographic characteristics, imaging features, intervention strategies, laboratory tests, and complications were compared between patients with good and poor outcomes. Multivariate analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for poor outcomes. The poor outcome rate of each ethnic group was compared. Of 1169 patients, 348 were ethnic minorities, 134 underwent microsurgical clipping, and 406 had poor outcomes at discharge. Patients with poor outcomes were older, represented fewer ethnic minorities, had a history of comorbidities, experienced more complications, and underwent microsurgical clipping. The top 3 types of aneurysms were anterior, posterior communicating, and middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Outcomes at discharge varied according to ethnic group. Han patients had worse outcomes. Age, loss of consciousness at onset, systolic blood pressure on admission, Hunt-Hess grade 4-5 on admission, epileptic seizures, modified Fisher grade 3-4, microsurgical clipping, size of the ruptured aneurysm, and cerebrospinal fluid replacement were independent risk factors for aSAH outcomes.

The Use of Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution in Clipping Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The occurrence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has overwhelmed the blood supply chain worldwide and severely influenced clinical procedures with potential massive blood loss, such as clipping surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Whether acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is safe and effective in aneurysm clipping remains largely unknown. Patients with aSAH who underwent clipping surgery within 72 hours from bleeding were included. The patients in the ANH group received 400 mL autologous blood collection, and the blood was returned as needed during surgery. The relationships between ANH and perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion, postoperative outcome, and complications were analyzed. Sixty-two patients with aSAH were included between December 2019 and June 2020 (20 in the ANH group and 42 in the non-ANH group). ANH did not reduce the need of perioperative blood transfusion (3 [15%] vs. 5 [11.9%]; P= 0.734). However, ANH significantly increased serum hemoglobin levels on postoperative day 1 (11.5 ± 2.5 g/dL vs. 10.3 ± 2.0 g/dL; P= 0.045) and day 3 (12.1 ± 2.0 g/dL vs. 10.7 ± 1.3 g/dL; P= 0.002). Multivariable analysis indicated that serum hemoglobin level on postoperative day 1 (odds ratio, 0.895; 95% confidence interval, 0.822-0.973; P= 0.010) was an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcome, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that it had a comparable predictive power to World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade (Z= 0.275; P > 0.05). ANH significantly increased postoperative hemoglobin levels, and it may hold the potential to improve patients' outcomes. Routine use of ANH should be considered in aneurysm clipping surgery.

Evaluating the safety of early surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients with long-term aspirin use: a propensity score matching study

BackgroundEarly microsurgical clipping is recommended for ruptured intracranial aneurysms to prevent rebleeding. However, dilemma frequently occurs when managing patients with current acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) use. This study aimed to examine whether aspirin use was associated with worse outcomes after early surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).MethodsWe retrieved a consecutive series of 215 patients undergoing early microsurgical clipping within 72 h after aneurysmal rupture from 2012 to 2018 in the neurosurgery department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital. The medical records of each case were reviewed. Twenty-one patients had a history of long-term aspirin use before the onset of aSAH, and 194 patients did not. To reduce confounding bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance some characteristics of the two groups. The intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hemorrhagic events, postoperative hospital stay, and functional outcome at discharge were compared between aspirin and non-aspirin group.ResultsWe matched all the 21 patients in aspirin group with 42 patients in non-aspirin group (1:2). Potential confounding factors were corrected between the two groups by PSM. No hospital mortality occurred after surgery. No significant differences were found in intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.540), postoperative hemorrhagic events (P > 0.999), postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.715), as well as functional outcome at discharge (P = 0.332) between the two groups.ConclusionsOur preliminary results showed that long-term low-dose aspirin use was not associated with worse outcomes. Early surgery can be safe for ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients with long-term aspirin use.

Preventive Effect of Clazosentan against Cerebral Vasospasm after Clipping Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Japanese and Korean Patients

Background: Clazosentan has been explored worldwide for the prophylaxis of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). In a dose-finding trial (CONSCIOUS-1) conducted in Israel, Europe, and North America, clazosentan (1, 5, and 15 mg/h) significantly reduced the incidence of cerebral vasospasm, but its efficacy in Japanese and Korean patients was unknown. We conducted a double-blind comparative study to evaluate the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm in Japanese and Korean patients with aSAH. Methods: The aim of this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 clinical trial, was to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of clazosentan (5 and 10 mg/h) against cerebral vasospasm after clipping surgery in Japanese and Korean patients with aSAH. Patients aged between 20 and 75 years were administered the study drug within 56 h after the aneurysm rupture and up to day 14 post-aSAH. The incidence of vasospasm, defined as an inner artery diameter reduction of major intracranial arteries ≥34% based on catheter angiography, was compared between each treatment group. Cerebral infarction due to vasospasm at 6 weeks and patients' outcome at 3 months was also compared. Results: Among 181 enrolled patients, 158 completed the study and were analyzed. The incidence of vasospasm up to day 14 after aSAH onset was 80.0% in the placebo group (95% CI 67.0-89.6), 38.5% in the 5 mg/h clazosentan group (95% CI 25.3-53.0), and 35.3% in the 10 mg/h clazosentan group (95% CI 22.4-49.9), indicating that the incidence of vasospasm was significantly reduced by clazosentan treatment (placebo vs. 5 mg/h clazosentan, p < 0.0001; placebo vs. 10 mg/h clazosentan, p < 0.0001). The occurrence of cerebral infarction due to vasospasm was 20.8% in the placebo group (95% CI 10.8-34.1), 3.8% in the 5 mg/h clazosentan group (95% CI 0.5-13.2), and 4.2% in the 10 mg/h clazosentan group (95% CI 0.5-14.3), indicating that clazosentan significantly reduced the occurrence of cerebral infarctions caused by vasospasm (placebo vs. 5 mg/h clazosentan, p = 0.0151; placebo vs. 10 mg/h clazosentan, p = 0.0165). The overall incidence of all-cause death and/or vasospasm-related morbidity/mortality was significantly reduced in the 10 mg/h clazosentan group compared with the placebo group (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: These results suggest that clazosentan prevents cerebral vasospasm and subsequent cerebral infarction, and could thereby improve outcomes after performing a clipping surgery for aSAH in Japanese and Korean patients.

Application of actuator-driven pulsed water jet in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage surgery: its effectiveness for dissection around ruptured aneurysmal walls and subarachnoid clot removal.

In clipping surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), critical steps include clot removal and dissection of aneurysms without premature rupture or brain injuries. To pursue this goal, a piezo actuator-driven pulsed water jet (ADPJ) system was introduced in this study. This study included 42 patients, who suffered aSAH and underwent clipping surgery. Eleven patients underwent surgery with the assistance of the ADPJ system (ADPJ group). In the other 31 patients, surgery was performed without the ADPJ system (Control group). The ADPJ system was used for clot removal and aneurysmal dissection. The clinical impact of the ADPJ system was judged by comparing the rate of premature rupture, degree of clot removal, and clinical outcomes. Intraoperatively, a premature rupture was encountered in 18.2 and 25.8% of cases in the ADPJ and control groups, respectively. Although the differences were not statistically significant, intraoperative observation suggested that the ADPJ system was effective in clot removal and dissection of aneurysms in a safe manner. Computed tomography scans indicated the achievement of higher degrees of clot removal, especially when the ADPJ system was used for cases with preoperative clot volumes of more than 25ml (p=0.047, Mann-Whitney U test). Clinical outcomes, including incidence of postoperative brain injury or symptomatic vasospasm, were similar in both groups. We described our preliminary surgical results using the ADPJ system for aSAH. Although further study is needed, the ADPJ system was considered a safe and effective tool for clot removal and dissection of aneurysms.

Results of Clipping Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Elderly Patients Aged 90 or Older.

The number of elderly patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is increasing. Although advanced age is one of the recognized risk factors for poor outcome, conservative treatment for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage cannot provide satisfactory outcome in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome in patients aged 90 or older, for whom ruptured aneurysms were treated by clipping. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of non-traumatic SAH patients who were hospitalized at the Chiba Neurosurgical Clinic between 2004 and 2013. Of the 702 patients, 8 patients (1.1 %) were aged 90 or older. Of them, four underwent clipping surgery and the other four died or were managed conservatively. Their preoperative conditions were evaluated with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grading Scale of SAH, and the Fisher classification was used to assess the bleeding severity. The location of the ruptured aneurysm was determined by three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography or cerebral angiography. The Glasgow Outcome Scale evaluation was assigned at discharge. Four patients (four female, all WFNS grade 1), aged 90 or older, underwent clipping surgery. Fisher classification was three in two patients and four in the other two. Location of the ruptured aneurysm was internal carotid artery in two, anterior communicating artery in one, and posterior inferior cerebellar artery in one patient. Two of these four patients had a favorable outcome. We propose that advanced age alone does not exclude suitable surgical clipping in patients with aneurysmal rupture in the tenth decade of life.

Results of clipping surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the ninth and tenth decades of life

This study investigated the outcome of clipping surgery for ruptured aneurysms in patients older than 80years of age. From 1988 to 2011 data were retrospectively reviewed, and 196 patients treated with clipping obliteration for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were identified. Patients were divided into two age groups of 80–84 and ⩾85years old. The Glasgow Outcome Scale score was assessed at discharge and classified as favorable (good recovery or moderate recovery) or unfavorable (severe disability, vegetative state, or dead). Radiological and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. A favorable outcome was achieved in 106 (54.1%) of the 196 patients. Preoperative grade and Fisher grade were significantly associated with unfavorable outcome, but age was not. Based on logistic regression analysis, poor preoperative grade and ruptured anterior cerebral artery aneurysm were the predictors of unfavorable outcome, but advanced age (⩾85years old) was not. Advanced age itself did not affect the outcome of the elderly patients who underwent clipping surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Effect of intraoperative brain protection with propofol on postoperative cognition in patients undergoing temporary clipping during intracranial aneurysm surgery.

Cognitive dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been attributable to presence of subarachnoid blood, hydrocephalus (HCP), cerebral edema, vasospasm, and temporary clipping of intracranial aneurysm. Provision of neuroprotection during temporary clipping may improve postoperative cognition in such patients. Good-grade aneurysmal SAH patients undergoing temporary clipping during surgery were allocated either to group C (control) or group P (propofol). Patients in group P received propofol in titrated doses to attain a burst suppression ratio of 75 ± 5% on bispectral index (BIS) monitor. The cognitive function as assessed by Hindi-language modification of mini-mental state examination (HMSE) score was evaluated preoperatively, 24 h after surgery, and at discharge from hospital. A score of ≤23 was indicative of cognitive dysfunction. Perioperative complications, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, and outcome at discharge were noted. A total of 66 patients (32 and 34 in group C and P respectively) were included in the study. 97% of the patients had anterior circulation aneurysms. At 24 h after surgery, eight and 12 patients in group C and P respectively; and at discharge, five patients in each group had cognitive dysfunction. In both groups, the trend showed a decline in cognition at 24 h followed by improvement at discharge. Glasgow outcome score in both the groups was comparable (P > 0.05). Intraoperative brain bulge, postoperative vasospasm, and cerebral infarction were found to be independent risk factors for cognitive dysfunction. Pharmacologic neuroprotection with propofol at the time of temporary clipping during surgery for aneurysmal SAH did not offer any advantage as far as preservation of cognition is concerned.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcome of postoperative pneumonia after microsurgical clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms

Background:Occurrence of pneumonia challenges the medical management of patients who have undergone surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. There are very few studies evaluating the incidence and outcome of postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing microsurgical clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods:All patients operated for intracranial aneurysms, over a period of 9 months, were included prospectively. They were studied for risk factors predisposing them to pneumonia and their outcomes were noted at discharge. Patients with predisposing chronic lung disease, preexisting pneumonia, and chronic smoking habits were excluded.Results:One hundred and three patients [Mean age: 46.01 years; M:F – 58:45] underwent microsurgical clipping of aneurysm during the study period. Of these, 28 patients (27.2%) developed postoperative pneumonia. The variables associated with postoperative pneumonia were: [Preoperative] age >50 years, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at presentation <15 and Hunt and Hess grade before surgery >2; [postoperative] duration of surgery >3 hours, GCS <15 after complete reversal from anesthesia, duration of intubation in the postoperative period >48 hours, tracheostomy, postoperative ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay >5 days. Predictive factors for postoperative pneumonia by multivariate analysis were: Postoperative endotracheal intubation >48 hours, tracheostomy and ICU stay >5 days.Conclusions:There is a high incidence of postoperative pneumonia and mortality associated with pneumonia (27.2% and 9.7%, respectively in our study) in patients of ruptured intracranial aneurysms undergoing microsurgical clipping at our center, with Acinetobacter species being the predominant causative organism.

Clipping surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients aged 75 years or older

<title/>Objective: The incidence rate of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the elderly is increasing. Although endovascular coiling has become a major form of treatment for SAH in elderly patients, not all ruptured aneurysms can be managed with an endovascular approach. Conventional surgical clipping still plays an important role in SAH treatment. The present study was performed to assess the outcome in patients older than 75 years of age in whom ruptured aneurysms were treated by clipping surgery.Methods: This retrospective study included patients 75 years of age or older who underwent clipping surgery for ruptured cerebral aneurysms between 1988 and 2009. Age, gender, preoperative grade, Fisher grade, size, and location of the ruptured aneurysm were compared between cases showing favorable and unfavorable outcomes.Results: A total of 333 patients were analyzed. There were significant differences in preoperative grade, Fisher grade, and location of the aneurysm between the favorable and unfavorable outcome groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of unfavorable outcome were poor grade and ruptured anterior cerebral artery aneurysm, but not age of 80 years or older.Conclusions: Advanced age did not represent a risk factor for poor outcome of clipping surgery in elderly patients. Although coil embolization has been shown to be a useful form of treatment, direct surgery should also be considered.

Variation of patient characteristics, management, and outcome with timing of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The past 30 years have seen a shift in the timing of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Earlier practices of delayed surgery that were intended to avoid less favorable surgical conditions have been replaced by a trend toward early surgery to minimize the risks associated with rebleeding and vasospasm. Yet, a consensus as to the optimal timing of surgery has not been reached. The authors hypothesized that earlier surgery, performed using contemporary neurosurgical and neuroanesthesia techniques, would be associated with better outcomes when using contemporary management practices, and sought to define the optimal time interval between SAH and surgery. Data collected as part of the Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial (IHAST) were analyzed to investigate the relationship between timing of surgery and outcome at 3 months post-SAH. The IHAST enrolled 1001 patients in 30 neurosurgical centers between February 2000 and April 2003. All patients had a radiographically confirmed SAH, were World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grades I-III at the time of surgery, and underwent surgical clipping of the presumed culprit aneurysm within 14 days of the date of hemorrhage. Patients were seen at 90-day follow-up visits. The primary outcome variable was a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1 (good outcome). Intergroup differences in baseline, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were compared using the Fisher exact tests. Variables reported as means were compared with ANOVA. Multiple logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, adjusting for covariates. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Patients who underwent surgery on Days 1 or 2 (early) or Days 7-14 (late) (Day 0 = date of SAH) fared better than patients who underwent surgery on Days 3-6 (intermediate). Specifically, the worst outcomes were observed in patients who underwent surgery on Days 3 and 4. Patients who had hydrocephalus or Fisher Grade 3 or 4 on admission head CT scans had better outcomes with early surgery than with intermediate or late surgery. Early surgery, in good-grade patients within 48 hours of SAH, is associated with better outcomes than surgery performed in the 3- to 6-day posthemorrhage interval. Surgical treatment for aneurysmal SAH may be more hazardous during the 3- to 6-day interval, but this should be weighed against the risk of rebleeding.

Erratum. Variation of patient characteristics, management, and outcome with timing of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

"Erratum. Variation of patient characteristics, management, and outcome with timing of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage" published on 07 Feb 2020 by American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Predictors for cognitive impairment one year after surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

To assess predictors for cognitive impairment one year after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Evaluated predictors were the total amount of cisternal blood seen on computed tomography (CT) in the acute phase as measured by the Fisher grade, neurological grade at admission classified according to the Hunt and Hess scale, aneurysm site and patient's age, gender and education level. 44 patients were operated by surgical clipping within 72 hours after CT verified aneurysmal SAH. After twelve months the remaining 42 patients were assessed by neuropsychological test, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and CT. Multiple regression analysis was conducted where predictor variables were independent factors and a global impairment index calculated for each patient was the dependent factor. The Fisher grade was the only independent predictor for neuropsychological impairment. Most patients had good neurological outcome as measured by the GOS and at the same time suffered from some degree of cognitive impairment at follow-up. Individual analysis of cognitive test scores showed mild to moderate dysfunction across multiple cognitive domains. Most frequent impairments were found in domains of memory, executive function and speed of information processing. Age below 50 years was associated with relatively better outcome. The severity of cognitive impairment one year post SAH is predicted by the volume of blood in the subarachnoid space as measured by the Fisher score.

Timing of Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Timing of Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Recovery of Cognitive Function After Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Recovery of Cognitive Function After Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Recovery of Cognitive Function After Surgery for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abnormalities in neurocognitive function are common after surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, even among patients with good functional outcomes. The time course of neurocognitive recovery, along with the long-term effects of mild intraoperative hypothermia (33 degrees C) and aneurysm location, is unknown. We determined these in a subset of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients enrolled in the Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial (IHAST). We performed a longitudinal, multicenter, prospective, blinded study of adult IHAST patients with a Glasgow Outcome Score=1 or 2 (independent function), 3 months postsurgery and a matched control group (n=45). Subjects were tested with a 5-test cognitive function battery and standard neurological evaluations at 3, 9 and 15 months postsurgery. The primary outcome measure was a composite score on cognitive test performance. There were 303 IHAST patients available for inclusion: 218 eligible, 185 enrolled (89 hypothermic, 96 normothermic). Significant cognitive improvement was noted from 3 to 9 (P<0.001) and 3 to 15 (P<0.001) months in both hypothermic and normothermic groups, even after adjusting for practice effects observed in the control group. No significant change was identified between 9 and 15 months. Neither mild hypothermia nor aneurysm location (anterior communicating artery versus others) had a significant effect on recovery over time or frequency of cognitive impairment. Compared with control group, the frequency of cognitive impairment (Z score <-1.96) in all patients at 3, 9 and 15 months was 36%, 26% and 23%, respectively. In this population, cognitive improvement continued beyond 3 months, with a plateau between 9 and 15 months. This was not affected by the use of intraoperative hypothermia or anatomical location of aneurysm.

Cerebral microdialysis and positron emission tomography after surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in grade I patients

Background Using cerebral microdialysis, baseline values for energy-related chemical markers have been reported in awake patients. Radionuclide studies have demonstrated a locally decreased metabolism, thought to be the result of brain retraction. These baseline values, however, may not be applicable to patients after surgical aneurysm repair following a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We assessed metabolic chemical marker levels in World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Committee (WFNS) grade I SAH patients after aneurysm surgery and compared them with previously reported baseline values. Methods In 5 WFNS grade I SAH patients, energy-related chemical marker levels were obtained using microdialysis in the area of brain retraction after aneurysm surgery. In addition, an [ 18F]2-deoxy- d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) was performed. Results The FDG-PET showed a decrease of glucose metabolism in the frontotemporal area. Comparing the mean values for chemical markers of this study with reported baseline values, the most striking difference was a mild decrease of pyruvate and an increase of the lactate/pyruvate ratio. In individual patients, some markers indicated possible ischemia. A consistent pattern or ischemic profile for all markers, however, was not found. Conclusion FDG-PET scanning confirmed postoperative metabolic changes found in previous studies. Mean interstitial chemical marker levels ranged from normal to mildly deviant compared with reference chemical marker levels for awake patients and are likely to be applicable in SAH patients after aneurysm repair.

Results of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in northern Norway: a retrospective study with special focus on timing of surgery in a rural area.

This study reports data on time consumption before aneurysm surgery and the results of treatment in northern Norway. A total of 279 cases were identified and included in our analysis of time span from bleeding to arrival at our department. Fifty-one patients were treated conservatively, either because of bad clinical condition or because angiography revealed no aneurysm. The remaining 228 patients were operated and included in our analysis of outcome after early aneurysm surgery. Among all 279 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), median time from ictus to arrival at the university hospital was 1 (0-30) day. Forty-one per cent arrived at the day of bleeding and 86% within the first 3 days after bleeding. Among the 228 patients who underwent surgical aneurysm repair, median time from bleeding to operation was 2 (0-33) days. Early aneurysm surgery (< 72 h) was performed in 146 patients (64%). Fifty patients (22%) underwent intermediate surgery (days 4-10) and 32 patients (14%) were operated later (day 11 or later). A significant association was found between Hunt and Hess (HH) grade and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score (P < 0.001). Most patients suffering aneurysmal SAH in northern Norway undergo early aneurysm surgery and the outcome is comparable with that obtained in other Scandinavian centres. Initial Hunt and Hess grade is a major determinant for outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Prognostic value of SSEP in early aneurysm surgery after SAH in poor-grade patients

We evaluate the prognostic value of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) in poor-grade patients after early surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage compared to the Hunt and Hess (H&H) and WFNS scales. Ninety patients with angiographically proven aneurysms graded H&H IV or V were evaluated retrospectively. The aneurysms of 72 patients were clipped. In 53 out of 72 patients 147 SSEP examinations were recorded. The SSEP were classified according to the central conduction time (CCT) and the number of cortical potentials. Outcome was determined according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. To evaluate the predictability of the SSEP to clinical grading scales receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was done. The H&H scale did not demonstrate statistically significant predictability for poor-grade patients. The WFNS scale predicted the outcome for only one group (survival/death) (p = 0.035). Predictability of outcome by the SSEP was statistically confirmed. Normal CCT indicated a potential for a good recovery, but not consistently so. Bilaterally enhanced CCT was predictive of a poor outcome. Bilateral lack of cortical responses was always related to fatal outcome. ROC analysis confirmed that SSEP are superior to clinical grading scales in determining prognosis in poor-grade patients. In doubt, whether early aneurysm surgery or conservative treatment in a poor-grade patient should be done, SSEP will be helpful.