Common Data Elements for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms and Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Recommendations from the Working Group on Hospital Course and Acute Therapies-Proposal of a Multidisciplinary Research Group

Common Data Elements for Rehabilitation Research in Neurologic Disorders (NeuroRehab CDEs)

OBJECTIVE

Common data elements (CDEs) help harmonize data collection across clinical trials and observational studies, allowing for cross-study and cross-condition comparisons. Although CDEs exist for multiple clinical conditions and diseases, this work was extended only recently to neurorehabilitation research.

DESIGN

Subgroups of clinical neurorehabilitation investigators operationalized a domain definition, selected applicable CDEs from 23 existing National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) CDE projects and National Institutes of Health (NIH) CDE repositories, and identified areas needing further development. The subgroups also reviewed public comments on the NeuroRehab-specific CDEs, which were provided from September 1, 2021 to October 7, 2021. In March 2022, version 1.0 of the NeuroRehab CDEs was completed and can be found on the NINDS CDE website: https://www.commondataelements.ninds.nih.gov/.

SETTING

NINDS and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research identified NeuroRehab CDEs across 12 different research domains: (1) assessments and examinations; (2) comorbid and behavioral conditions; (3) motor function; (4) treatment/intervention data: therapies; (5) treatment/intervention data: devices; (6) cognitive; (7) communication; (8) emotion/behavior/neuropsychology; (9) activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living; (10) quality of life; (11) participation; and (12) infant and pediatrics. Within each domain, corresponding subdomain experts identified instruments with good psychometric measurement properties.

PARTICIPANTS

One hounded twenty experts (N=120) in rehabilitation across the 12 identified research domains and 2 cochairs with rehabilitation and measurement expertise provided oversight.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

CDEs from 23 existing NINDS CDE projects and NIH CDE repositories.

RESULTS

Clinical investigators recommended NeuroRehab CDEs within 3 dimensions of the NINDS CDE classifications: Core, (Disease) Core, and Supplemental-Highly Recommended. Most measures were categorized as Supplemental-Highly Recommended; few were identified as Core or Disease Core. The subgroups also identified measurement gap areas to guide future initiatives because NeuroRehab CDEs will be developed in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

These efforts are designed to accelerate rehabilitation research in neurologic disorders by allowing for cross-study and cross-condition comparisons and to encourage new CDE development.

Liberal or Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The effect of a liberal red-cell transfusion strategy as compared with a restrictive strategy in patients during the critical care period after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is unclear.

METHODS

We randomly assigned critically ill adults with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and anemia to a liberal strategy (mandatory transfusion at a hemoglobin level of ≤10 g per deciliter) or a restrictive strategy (optional transfusion at a hemoglobin level of ≤8 g per deciliter). The primary outcome was an unfavorable neurologic outcome, defined as a score of 4 or higher on the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability), at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included 12-month functional independence as assessed with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM; scores range from 18 to 126) and quality of life as assessed with the EuroQol five-dimension, five-level (EQ-5D-5L) utility index (scores range from -0.1 to 0.95) and a visual analogue scale (VAS; scores range from 0 to 100); on each assessment, higher scores indicate better health status or quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 742 patients underwent randomization at 23 centers. The analysis of the primary outcome at 12 months included 725 patients (97.7%). An unfavorable neurologic outcome occurred in 122 of 364 patients (33.5%) in the liberal-strategy group and in 136 of 361 patients (37.7%) in the restrictive-strategy group (risk ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72 to 1.09; P = 0.22). The mean (±SD) FIM score was 82.8±54.6 in the liberal-strategy group and 79.8±54.5 in the restrictive-strategy group (mean difference, 3.01; 95% CI, -5.49 to 11.51). The mean EQ-5D-5L utility index score was 0.5±0.4 in both groups (mean difference, 0.02; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.09). The mean VAS score was 52.1±37.5 in the liberal-strategy group and 50±37.1 in the restrictive-strategy group (mean difference, 2.08; 95% CI, -3.76 to 7.93). The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and anemia, a liberal transfusion strategy did not result in a lower risk of an unfavorable neurologic outcome at 12 months than a restrictive strategy. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; SAHARA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03309579.).

Intracranial aneurysm CTA images and 3D models dataset with clinical morphological and hemodynamic data

Intracranial aneurysm is a cerebrovascular disease associated with a high rupture risk, often resulting in death or severe disability. Recent advances in AI enable the prediction of intracranial aneurysm initiation, progression, and rupture through medical image analysis. Despite growing research interest, there is a shortage of publicly available datasets for training and validating AI models. This paper presents a comprehensive dataset comprising high-resolution CTA images of 99 patients with 105 MCA aneurysms and 44 normal healthy controls, along with their respective clinical data and 3D models of aneurysms and the parent arteries derived from the CTA images. Furthermore, recognizing the significance of blood hemodynamics on aneurysm development, this dataset also included the morphological and hemodynamic parameters obtained by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for each patient and healthy control, which can be utilized by researchers without prior CFD experience. This dataset will facilitate hypothesis-driven or data-driven research on intracranial aneurysms, and has the potential to deepen our understanding of this disease.

The National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Neuro Databank/Biobank: Creation and Evolution

INTRODUCTION

Diverse neurological conditions are reported associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus; neurological symptoms are the most common conditions to persist after the resolution of acute infection, affecting 20% of patients 6 months after acute illness. The COVID-19 Neuro Databank (NeuroCOVID) was created to overcome the limitations of siloed small local cohorts to collect detailed, curated, and harmonized de-identified data from a large diverse cohort of adults with new or worsened neurological conditions associated with COVID-19 illness, as a scientific resource.

METHODS

A Steering Committee including US and international experts meets quarterly to provide guidance. Initial study sites were recruited to include a wide US geographic distribution; academic and non-academic sites; urban and non-urban locations; and patients of different ages, disease severity, and comorbidities seen by a variety of clinical specialists. The NeuroCOVID REDCap database was developed, incorporating input from professional guidelines, existing common data elements, and subject matter experts. A cohort of eligible adults is identified at each site; inclusion criteria are: a new or worsened neurological condition associated with a COVID-19 infection confirmed by testing. De-identified data are abstracted from patients' medical records, using standardized common data elements and five case report forms. The database was carefully enhanced in response to feedback from site investigators and evolving scientific interest in post-acute conditions and their timing. Additional US and international sites were added, focusing on diversity and populations not already described in published literature. By early 2024, NeuroCOVID included over 2,700 patient records, including data from 16 US and 5 international sites. Data are being shared with the scientific community in compliance with NIH requirements. The program has been invited to share case report forms with the National Library of Medicine as an ongoing resource for the scientific community.

CONCLUSION

The NeuroCOVID database is a unique and valuable source of comprehensive de-identified data on a wide variety of neurological conditions associated with COVID-19 illness, including a diverse patient population. Initiated early in the pandemic, data collection has been responsive to evolving scientific interests. NeuroCOVID will continue to contribute to scientific efforts to characterize and treat this challenging illness and its consequences.

The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Statement of Working Principles and Rapid Review of Methods to Define Data Dictionaries for Neurological Conditions

The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative (AUS-TBI) aims to develop a health informatics approach to collect data predictive of outcomes for persons with moderate-severe TBI across Australia. Central to this approach is a data dictionary; however, no systematic reviews of methods to define and develop data dictionaries exist to-date. This rapid systematic review aimed to identify and characterize methods for designing data dictionaries to collect outcomes or variables in persons with neurological conditions. Database searches were conducted from inception through October 2021. Records were screened in two stages against set criteria to identify methods to define data dictionaries for neurological conditions (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision: 08, 22, and 23). Standardized data were extracted. Processes were checked at each stage by independent review of a random 25% of records. Consensus was reached through discussion where necessary. Thirty-nine initiatives were identified across 29 neurological conditions. No single established or recommended method for defining a data dictionary was identified. Nine initiatives conducted systematic reviews to collate information before implementing a consensus process. Thirty-seven initiatives consulted with end-users. Methods of consultation were "roundtable" discussion (n = 30); with facilitation (n = 16); that was iterative (n = 27); and frequently conducted in-person (n = 27). Researcher stakeholders were involved in all initiatives and clinicians in 25. Importantly, only six initiatives involved persons with lived experience of TBI and four involved carers. Methods for defining data dictionaries were variable and reporting is sparse. Our findings are instructive for AUS-TBI and can be used to further development of methods for defining data dictionaries.

Common Data Element for Disorders of Consciousness: Recommendations from the Working Group on Therapeutic Interventions

BACKGROUND

Over the past 30 years, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the mechanisms associated with loss and recovery of consciousness following severe brain injury. This work has provided a strong grounding for the development of novel restorative therapeutic interventions. Although all interventions are aimed at modulating and thereby restoring brain function, the landscape of existing interventions encompasses a very wide scope of techniques and protocols. Despite vigorous research efforts, few approaches have been assessed with rigorous, high-quality randomized controlled trials. As a growing number of exploratory interventions emerge, it is paramount to develop standardized approaches to reporting results. The successful evaluation of novel interventions depends on implementation of shared nomenclature and infrastructure. To address this gap, the Neurocritical Care Society's Curing Coma Campaign convened nine working groups and charged them with developing common data elements (CDEs). Here, we report the work of the Therapeutic Interventions Working Group.

METHODS

The working group reviewed existing CDEs relevant to therapeutic interventions within the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke database and reviewed the literature for assessing key areas of research in the intervention space. CDEs were then proposed, iteratively discussed and reviewed, classified, and organized in a case report form (CRF).

RESULTS

We developed a unified CRF, including CDEs and key design elements (i.e., methodological or protocol parameters), divided into five sections: (1) patient information, (2) general study information, (3) behavioral interventions, (4) pharmacological interventions, and (5) device interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly created CRF enhances systematization of future work by proposing a portfolio of measures that should be collected in the development and implementation of studies assessing novel interventions intended to increase the level of consciousness or rate of recovery of consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness.

Common Data Elements for Disorders of Consciousness: Recommendations from the Working Group on Hospital Course, Confounders, and Medications

The convergence of an interdisciplinary team of neurocritical care specialists to organize the Curing Coma Campaign is the first effort of its kind to coordinate national and international research efforts aimed at a deeper understanding of disorders of consciousness (DoC). This process of understanding includes translational research from bench to bedside, descriptions of systems of care delivery, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and ethical frameworks. The description and measurement of varying confounding factors related to hospital care was thought to be critical in furthering meaningful research in patients with DoC. Interdisciplinary hospital care is inherently varied across geographical areas as well as community and academic medical centers. Access to monitoring technologies, specialist consultation (medical, nursing, pharmacy, respiratory, and rehabilitation), staffing resources, specialty intensive and acute care units, specialty medications and specific surgical, diagnostic and interventional procedures, and imaging is variable, and the impact on patient outcome in terms of DoC is largely unknown. The heterogeneity of causes in DoC is the source of some expected variability in care and treatment of patients, which necessitated the development of a common nomenclature and set of data elements for meaningful measurement across studies. Guideline adherence in hemorrhagic stroke and severe traumatic brain injury may also be variable due to moderate or low levels of evidence for many recommendations. This article outlines the process of the development of common data elements for hospital course, confounders, and medications to streamline definitions and variables to collect for clinical studies of DoC.

Effect of xenon on brain injury, neurological outcome, and survival in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a neurological emergency, affecting a younger population than individuals experiencing an ischemic stroke; aSAH is associated with a high risk of mortality and permanent disability. The noble gas xenon has been shown to possess neuroprotective properties as demonstrated in numerous preclinical animal studies. In addition, a recent study demonstrated that xenon could attenuate a white matter injury after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

METHODS

The study is a prospective, multicenter phase II clinical drug trial. The study design is a single-blind, prospective superiority randomized two-armed parallel follow-up study. The primary objective of the study is to explore the potential neuroprotective effects of inhaled xenon, when administered within 6 h after the onset of symptoms of aSAH. The primary endpoint is the extent of the global white matter injury assessed with magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of the brain.

DISCUSSION

Despite improvements in medical technology and advancements in medical science, aSAH mortality and disability rates have remained nearly unchanged for the past 10 years. Therefore, new neuroprotective strategies to attenuate the early and delayed brain injuries after aSAH are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04696523. Registered on 6 January 2021. EudraCT, EudraCT Number: 2019-001542-17. Registered on 8 July 2020.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

IMPORTANCE

Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complexes, biomarkers of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), have been associated with arterial and venous thrombosis. Their role in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether serum MPO-DNA complexes are present in patients with aSAH and whether they are associated with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI).

DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Post-hoc analysis of a prospective, observational single-center study, with de novo serum biomarker measurements in consecutive patients with aSAH between July 2018 and September 2020, admitted to a tertiary care neuroscience ICU.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

We analyzed serum obtained at admission and hospital day 4 for concentrations of MPO-DNA complexes. The primary outcome was DCI, defined as new infarction on brain CT. The secondary outcome was clinical vasospasm, a composite of clinical and transcranial Doppler parameters. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank-test to assess for differences between paired measures.

RESULTS

Among 100 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, mean age 59 years (sd ± 13 yr), 55% women, 78 had confirmed aSAH. Among these, 29 (37%) developed DCI. MPO-DNA complexes were detected in all samples. The median MPO-DNA level was 33 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 18-43 ng/mL) at admission, and 22 ng/mL (IQR, 11-31 ng/mL) on day 4 (unpaired test; p = 0.015). We found a significant reduction in MPO-DNA levels from admission to day 4 in patients with DCI (paired test; p = 0.036) but not in those without DCI (p = 0.17). There was a similar reduction in MPO-DNA levels between admission and day 4 in patients with (p = 0.006) but not in those without clinical vasospasm (p = 0.47).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This is the first study to detect the NET biomarkers MPO-DNA complexes in peripheral serum of patients with aSAH and to associate them with DCI. A pronounced reduction in MPO-DNA levels might serve as an early marker of DCI. This diagnostic potential of MPO-DNA complexes and their role as potential therapeutic targets in aSAH should be explored further.

Intracranial aneurysm wall (in)stability-current state of knowledge and clinical perspectives

Intracranial aneurysm (IA), a local outpouching of cerebral arteries, is present in 3 to 5% of the population. Once formed, an IA can remain stable, grow, or rupture. Determining the evolution of IAs is almost impossible. Rupture of an IA leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage and affects mostly young people with heavy consequences in terms of death, disabilities, and socioeconomic burden. Even if the large majority of IAs will never rupture, it is critical to determine which IA might be at risk of rupture. IA (in)stability is dependent on the composition of its wall and on its ability to repair. The biology of the IA wall is complex and not completely understood. Nowadays, the risk of rupture of an IA is estimated in clinics by using scores based on the characteristics of the IA itself and on the anamnesis of the patient. Classification and prediction using these scores are not satisfying and decisions whether a patient should be observed or treated need to be better informed by more reliable biomarkers. In the present review, the effects of known risk factors for rupture, as well as the effects of biomechanical forces on the IA wall composition, will be summarized. Moreover, recent advances in high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging, which are promising tools to discriminate between stable and unstable IAs, will be described. Common data elements recently defined to improve IA disease knowledge and disease management will be presented. Finally, recent findings in genetics will be introduced and future directions in the field of IA will be exposed.

Time trends in the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) contributes to morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Continuous improvement in the management of these patients, such as neurocritical care and aneurysm repair, may decrease the prevalence of DCI. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate potential time trends in the prevalence of DCI in clinical studies of DCI within the last 20 years.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched from 2000 to 2020. Randomized controlled trials that reported clinical (and radiological) DCI in patients with aSAH who were randomized to a control group receiving standard care were included. DCI prevalence was estimated by means of random-effects meta-analysis, and subgroup analyses were performed for the DCI sum score, Fisher grade, clinical grade on admission, and aneurysm treatment method. Time trends were evaluated by meta-regression.

RESULTS

The search strategy yielded 5931 records, of which 58 randomized controlled trials were included. A total of 4424 patients in the control arm were included. The overall prevalence of DCI was 0.29 (95% CI 0.26–0.32). The event rate for prevalence of DCI among the high-quality studies was 0.30 (95% CI 0.25–0.34) and did not decrease over time (0.25% decline per year; 95% CI −2.49% to 1.99%, p = 0.819). DCI prevalence was higher in studies that included only higher clinical or Fisher grades, and in studies that included only clipping as the treatment modality.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall DCI prevalence in patients with aSAH was 0.29 (95% CI 0.26–0.32) and did not decrease over time in the control groups of the included randomized controlled trials.

Shunt performance in 349 patients with hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background

Shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a common sequelae leading to poorer neurological outcomes and predisposing to various complications.

Methods

A total of 2191 consecutive patients with aSAH were acutely admitted to the Neurointensive Care at the Kuopio University Hospital between 1990 and 2018 from a defined population. A total of 349 (16%) aSAH patients received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, 101 with an adjustable valve (2012–2018), 232 with a fixed pressure valve (1990–2011), and 16 a valveless shunt (2010–2013). Clinical timelines were reconstructed from the hospital records and nationwide registries until death (n = 120) or June 2019.

Results

Comparing the adjustable valves vs. the fixed pressure valves vs. the valveless shunts, intraventricular hemorrhage was present in 61%, 44% and 100%, respectively. The median times to the shunt were 7 days vs. 38 days vs. 10 days. The rates of the first revision were 25% vs. 32% vs. 69%. The causes included infection in 11% vs. 7% vs. 25% and overdrainage in 1% vs. 4% vs. 31%. The valveless shunt was the only independent risk factor (HR 2.9) for revision. After the first revision, more revisions were required in 48% vs. 52% vs. 45%.

Conclusions

The protocol to shunt evolved over time to favor earlier shunt. In post-aSAH hydrocephalus, adjustable valve shunts, without anti-siphon device, can be installed at an early phase after aSAH, in spite of intraventricular blood, with a modest risk (25%) of revision. Valveless shunts are not recommendable due to high risk of revisions.

The Use of Standardized Management Protocols for Critically Ill Patients with Non-traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review

The use of standardized management protocols (SMPs) may improve patient outcomes for some critical care diseases. Whether SMPs improve outcomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is currently unknown. We aimed to study the effect of SMPs on 6-month mortality and neurologic outcomes following SAH. A systematic review of randomized control trials (RCTs) and observational studies was performed by searching multiple indexing databases from their inception through January 2019. Studies were limited to adult patients (age ≥ 18) with non-traumatic SAH reporting mortality, neurologic outcomes, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and other important complications. Data on patient and SMP characteristics, outcomes and methodologic quality were extracted into a pre-piloted collection form. Methodologic quality of observational studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and RCT quality was reported as per the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A total of 11,260 studies were identified, of which 37 (34 full-length articles and 3 abstracts) met the criteria for inclusion. Two studies were RCTs and 35 were observational. SMPs were divided into four broad domains: management of acute SAH, early brain injury, DCI and general neurocritical care. The most common SMP design was control of DCI, with 22 studies assessing this domain of care. Overall, studies were of low quality; most described single-center case series with small patient sizes. Definitions of key terms and outcome reporting practices varied significantly between studies. DCI and neurologic outcomes in particular were defined inconsistently, leading to significant challenges in their interpretation. Given the substantial heterogeneity in reporting practices between studies, a meta-analysis for 6-month mortality and neurologic outcomes could not be performed, and the effect of SMPs on these measures thus remains inconclusive. Our systematic review highlights the need for large, rigorous RCTs to determine whether providing standardized, best-practice management through the use of a protocol impacts outcomes in critically ill patients with SAH.Trial registration Registration number: CRD42017069173.

Global Consortium Study of Neurological Dysfunction in COVID-19 (GCS-NeuroCOVID): Study Design and Rationale

BACKGROUND

As the COVID-19 pandemic developed, reports of neurological dysfunctions spanning the central and peripheral nervous systems have emerged. The spectrum of acute neurological dysfunctions may implicate direct viral invasion, para-infectious complications, neurological manifestations of systemic diseases, or co-incident neurological dysfunction in the context of high SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. A rapid and pragmatic approach to understanding the prevalence, phenotypes, pathophysiology and prognostic implications of COVID-19 neurological syndromes is urgently needed.

METHODS

The Global Consortium to Study Neurological dysfunction in COVID-19 (GCS-NeuroCOVID), endorsed by the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS), was rapidly established to address this need in a tiered approach. Tier-1 consists of focused, pragmatic, low-cost, observational common data element (CDE) collection, which can be launched immediately at many sites in the first phase of this pandemic and is designed for expedited ethical board review with waiver-of-consent. Tier 2 consists of prospective functional and cognitive outcomes assessments with more detailed clinical, laboratory and radiographic data collection that would require informed consent. Tier 3 overlays Tiers 1 and 2 with experimental molecular, electrophysiology, pathology and imaging studies with longitudinal outcomes assessment and would require centers with specific resources. A multicenter pediatrics core has developed and launched a parallel study focusing on patients ages <18 years. Study sites are eligible for participation if they provide clinical care to COVID-19 patients and are able to conduct patient-oriented research under approval of an internal or global ethics committee. Hospitalized pediatric and adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 and with acute neurological signs or symptoms are eligible to participate. The primary study outcome is the overall prevalence of neurological complications among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which will be calculated by pooled estimates of each neurological finding divided by the average census of COVID-19 positive patients over the study period. Secondary outcomes include: in-hospital, 30 and 90-day morality, discharge modified Rankin score, ventilator-free survival, ventilator days, discharge disposition, and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

In a one-month period (3/27/20-4/27/20) the GCS-NeuroCOVID consortium was able to recruit 71 adult study sites, representing 17 countries and 5 continents and 34 pediatrics study sites.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the first large-scale global research collaboratives urgently assembled to evaluate acute neurological events in the context of a pandemic. The innovative and pragmatic tiered study approach has allowed for rapid recruitment and activation of numerous sites across the world-an approach essential to capture real-time critical neurological data to inform treatment strategies in this pandemic crisis.

Impact of Complications and Comorbidities on the Intensive Care Length of Stay after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

In this observational study, we analysed a cohort of 164 subarachnoid haemorrhage survivors (until discharge from intensive care) with the aim to detect factors that influence the length of stay (LOS) in intensive care with multiple linear regression methods. Moreover, binary logistic regression methods were used to examine whether the time in intensive care is a predictor of outcome after 1 year. The clinical 1-year outcome was measured prospectively in a 12-month follow-up by telephone interview and categorised by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Patients who died during their stay in intensive care were excluded. Complications like pneumonia (β = 5.11; 95% CI = 1.75–8.46; p = 0.0031), sepsis (β = 9.54; 95% CI = 3.27–15.82; p = 0.0031), hydrocephalus (β = 4.63; 95% CI = 1.82–7.45; p = 0.0014), and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) (β = 3.38; 95% CI = 0.19–6.56; p = 0.038) were critical factors depending the LOS in intensive care as well as decompressive craniectomy (β = 5.02; 95% CI = 1.35–8.70; p = 0.0077). All analysed comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, cholesterinemia, and smoking history had no significant impact on the LOS in intensive care. LOS in intensive care (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.03–1.15; p = 0.0023) as well as WFNS grade (OR = 3.72; 95% CI = 2.23–6.21; p < 0.0001) and age (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02–1.10; p = 0.0061) were significant factors that had an impact on the outcome after 1 year. Complications in intensive care but not comorbidities are associated with higher LOS in intensive care. LOS in intensive care is a modest but significant predictor of outcomes after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Prioritization and Timing of Outcomes and Endpoints After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Clinical Trials and Observational Studies: Proposal of a Multidisciplinary Research Group

INTRODUCTION

In studies on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), substantial variability exists in the use and timing of outcomes and endpoints, which complicates interpretation and comparison of results between studies. The aim of the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/National Library of Medicine Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm (UIA) and SAH common data elements (CDE) Project was to provide a common structure for future UIA and SAH research.

METHODS

This article summarizes the recommendations of the UIA and SAH CDE Outcomes and Endpoints subgroup, which consisted of an international and multidisciplinary ad hoc panel of experts in clinical outcomes after SAH. Consensus recommendations were developed by review of previously published CDEs for other neurological diseases and the SAH literature. Recommendations for CDEs were classified by priority into "Core," "Supplemental-Highly Recommended," "Supplemental," and "Exploratory."

RESULTS

The subgroup identified over 50 outcomes measures and template case report forms (CRFs) to be included as part of the UIA and SAH CDE recommendations. None was classified as "Core". The modified Rankin Scale score and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were considered the preferred outcomes and classified as Supplemental-Highly Recommended. Death, Glasgow Outcome Scale score, and Glasgow Outcome Scale-extended were classified as Supplemental. All other outcome measures were categorized as "Exploratory". We propose outcome assessment at 3 months and at 12 months for studies interested in long-term outcomes. We give recommendations for standardized dichotomization.

CONCLUSION

The recommended outcome measures and CRFs have been distilled from a broad pool of potentially useful CDEs, scales, instruments, and endpoints. The adherence to these recommendations will facilitate the comparison of results across studies and meta-analyses of individual patient data.

Common Data Elements for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Clinical Research: A National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Library of Medicine Project

OBJECTIVES

The goal for this project was to develop a comprehensive set of common data elements (CDEs), data definitions, case report forms and guidelines for use in unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) clinical research, as part of a new joint effort between the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Library of Medicine of the US National Institutes of Health. These UIA and SAH CDEs will join several other neurological disease-specific CDEs that have already been developed and are available for use by research investigators.

METHODS

A Working Group (WG) divided into eight sub-groups and a Steering Committee comprised of international UIA and SAH experts reviewed existing NINDS CDEs and instruments, created new elements when needed and provided recommendations for UIA and SAH clinical research. The recommendations were compiled, internally reviewed by the entire UIA and SAH WG and posted online for 6 weeks for external public comments. The UIA and SAH WG and the NINDS CDE team reviewed the final version before posting the SAH Version 1.0 CDE recommendations.

RESULTS

The NINDS UIA and SAH CDEs and supporting documents are publicly available on the NINDS CDE ( https://www.commondataelements.ninds.nih.gov/#page=Default ) and NIH Repository ( https://cde.nlm.nih.gov/home ) websites. The recommendations are organized into domains including Participant Characteristics and Outcomes and Endpoints.

CONCLUSION

Dissemination and widespread use of CDEs can facilitate UIA and SAH clinical research and clinical trial design, data sharing, and analyses of observational retrospective and prospective data. It is vital to maintain an international and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure that these CDEs are implemented and updated when new information becomes available.

Biospecimens and Molecular and Cellular Biomarkers in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Studies: Common Data Elements and Standard Reporting Recommendations

INTRODUCTION

Development of clinical biomarkers to guide therapy is an important unmet need in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A wide spectrum of plausible biomarkers has been reported for SAH, but none have been validated due to significant variabilities in study design, methodology, laboratory techniques, and outcome endpoints.

METHODS

A systematic review of SAH biomarkers was performed per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The panel's recommendations focused on harmonization of (1) target cellular and molecular biomarkers for future investigation in SAH, (2) standardization of best-practice procedures in biospecimen and biomarker studies, and (3) experimental method reporting requirements to facilitate meta-analyses and future validation of putative biomarkers.

RESULTS

No cellular or molecular biomarker has been validated for inclusion as "core" recommendation. Fifty-four studies met inclusion criteria and generated 33 supplemental and emerging biomarker targets. Core recommendations include best-practice protocols for biospecimen collection and handling as well as standardized reporting guidelines to capture the heterogeneity and variabilities in experimental methodologies and biomarker analyses platforms.

CONCLUSION

Significant variabilities in study design, methodology, laboratory techniques, and outcome endpoints exist in SAH biomarker studies and present significant barriers toward validation and translation of putative biomarkers to clinical use. Adaptation of common data elements, recommended biospecimen protocols, and reporting guidelines will reduce heterogeneity and facilitate future meta-analyses and development of validated clinical biomarkers in SAH.