Impact of aneurysm location on cardiopulmonary dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage

The Association Between the Location of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and the Occurrence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a syndrome characterized by transient regional cardiac dysfunction of the left ventricle. The goal of this review is to better understand the relationship between the anatomic locations of subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) and the development of TCM as identified through a review of cohort studies. From inception to December 2023, we systematically explored major electronic medical information sources to identify cases of TCM that developed after SAHs. The six selected studies included in the meta-analysis suggest a modest but statistically significant increase in the odds of the events in the posterior circulation group compared to the anterior circulation group, with a combined odds ratio (OR) estimate of around 1.45-1.46. The fixed effect model gives an overall OR of 1.45 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.01 to 2.10, z = 2.01, p = 0.0442, while the random effects model yields a slightly higher OR of 1.46 with the same 95% CI, z = 2.03, p = 0.0425. There is a tendency for SAH occurrence in the posterior cerebral circulation to cause SAH-related TCM more frequently than in the anterior cerebral circulation.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema in subarachnoid hemorrhage: relevant clinical concepts

BACKGROUND

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) continues to be a condition that carries high rates of morbidity, mortality, and disability around the world. One of its complications is neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE), which is mainly caused by sympathetic hyperactivity. Due to the complexity of the pathophysiological process and the unspecificity of the clinical presentation, it is little known by general practitioners, medical students and other health care workers not directly related to the neurological part, making the management of this chaotic condition difficult. This review aims to present recent evidence on clinical concepts relevant to the identification and management of NPE secondary to SAH.

MAIN BODY OF THE ABSTRACT

NPE is defined as a syndrome of acute onset following significant central nervous system (CNS) injury. Its etiology has been proposed to stem from the release of catecholamines that produce cardiopulmonary dysfunction, with this syndrome being associated with spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular disorders, traumatic brain injury, status epilepticus, and meningitis. NPE has long been considered a rare event; but it may occur more frequently, mainly in patients with SAH. There are two clinical presentations of NPE: the early form develops in the first hours/minutes after injury, while the late form presents 12-24 h after neurological injury. Clinical manifestations consist of non-specific signs of respiratory distress: dyspnea, tachypnea, hypoxia, pink expectoration, crackles on auscultation, which usually resolve within 24-48 h in 50% of patients. Unfortunately, there are no tools to make the specific diagnosis, so the diagnosis is by exclusion. The therapeutic approach consists of two interventions: treatment of the underlying neurological injury to reduce intracranial pressure and control sympathetic hyperactivity related to the lung injury, and supportive treatment for pulmonary edema.

SHORT CONCLUSION

SAH is a severe condition that represents a risk to the life of the affected patient due to the possible complications that may develop. NPE is one of these complications, which due to the common manifestation of a respiratory syndrome, does not allow early and accurate diagnosis, being a diagnosis of exclusion. Therefore, in any case of CNS lesion with pulmonary involvement, NPE should be suspected immediately.

Radiographic and Clinical Predictors of Cardiac Dysfunction Following Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury

Introduction:

Although cardiac dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been described, there is little data regarding the association of radiographic severity and particular lesions of TBI with the development of cardiac dysfunction. We hypothesize that the Rotterdam or Marshall scores and particular TBI lesions are associated with the development of cardiac dysfunction after isolated TBI.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective cohort study. Adult patients with isolated TBI who underwent echocardiography between 2003 and 2010 were included. A board-certified neuroradiologist assessed the first computed tomography head, assigning the Rotterdam and Marshall scores and the type of TBI. Cardiac dysfunction was defined as either systolic or all cause based on the first echocardiogram after TBI. Demographic, radiological, and clinical variables were used in our analysis.

Results:

A total of 139 patients were identified, with 20 having isolated systolic dysfunction. The Marshall and Rotterdam scores were not associated with the development of cardiac dysfunction. Only head Abbreviated Injury Scale was found to be an independent predictor of systolic cardiac dysfunction (relative risk: 2.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.19-6.13; P = .02).

Conclusions:

No specific radiographic variable was found to be an independent predictor of cardiac dysfunction. Further study into clinical or radiological features that would warrant an echocardiogram is warranted, as it may direct patient management.

A multicenter prospective cohort study of volume management after subarachnoid hemorrhage: circulatory characteristics of pulmonary edema after subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECT Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is often accompanied by pulmonary complications, which may lead to poor outcomes and death. This study investigated the incidence and cause of pulmonary edema in patients with SAH by using hemodynamic monitoring with PiCCO-plus pulse contour analysis. METHODS A total of 204 patients with SAH were included in a multicenter prospective cohort study to investigate hemodynamic changes after surgical clipping or coil embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysms by using a PiCCO-plus device. Changes in various hemodynamic parameters after SAH were analyzed statistically. RESULTS Fifty-two patients (25.5%) developed pulmonary edema. Patients with pulmonary edema (PE group) were significantly older than those without pulmonary edema (non-PE group) (p = 0.017). The mean extravascular lung water index was significantly higher in the PE group than in the non-PE group throughout the study period. The pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) was significantly higher in the PE group than in the non-PE group on Day 6 (p = 0.029) and Day 10 (p = 0.011). The cardiac index of the PE group was significantly decreased biphasically on Days 2 and 10 compared with that of the non-PE group. In the early phase (Days 1-5 after SAH), the daily water balance of the PE group was slightly positive. In the delayed phase (Days 6-14 after SAH), the serum C-reactive protein level and the global end-diastolic volume index were significantly higher in the PE group than in the non-PE group, whereas the PVPI tended to be higher in the PE group. CONCLUSIONS Pulmonary edema that occurs in the early and delayed phases after SAH is caused by cardiac failure and inflammatory (i.e., noncardiogenic) conditions, respectively. Measurement of the extravascular lung water index, cardiac index, and PVPI by PiCCO-plus monitoring is useful for identifying pulmonary edema in patients with SAH.