Magnesium in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (MASH II) phase III clinical trial MASH-II study group

Targeted Temperature Management for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Excellent Outcome After Severe Vasospasm-A Case Series

Targeted temperature management (TTM) might improve outcome of patients with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in which vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) are frequent and severe complications. A series of patients (n = 3) with severe aneurysmatic SAH were treated by TTM if they developed ICP crisis and/or severe vasospasm diagnosed by angiography. Once these complications were detected, body core temperature (BCT) was rapidly decreased to 35°C or 33°C, if necessary. BCT induced and maintained by surface cooling remained at the desired level for at least 72 hours. Rewarming was performed by 1°C, only if the target parameters ICP and velocities in the serial Doppler sonography indicating macrovascular vasospasm improved to regular levels. In case of increase of ICP or middle cerebral arteries velocities BCT was decreased again to the last effective level. The patients developed vasospasm between days 6 and 12 after SAH. All aneurysms were treated by coiling. BCT was reduced between days 6 and 12 after SAH. Total duration of BCT <36.5°C was between 5.5 and 8 days. It remained <35°C for 4-6 days, and at 33°C for 3 days on average. ICP could be sufficiently controlled in all patients, because no ICP crisis was observed during TTM and after rewarming. Two patients developed minor DCI. Side effects of prolonged ventilation of 7-18 days included pneumonia for two patients that could be treated sufficiently. Other complications were one case of ventriculitis and two temporary deliriums. Outcome of the patients was good because no focal neurological symptoms could be detected after rehabilitation. TTM represents a promising treatment approach for severe SAH in which standard treatment is often limited and experimental. It deserves further clinical investigation in a larger cohort.

Therapeutics targeting the inflammasome after central nervous system injury

Innate immunity is part of the early response of the body to deal with tissue damage and infections. Because of the early nature of the innate immune inflammatory response, this inflammatory reaction represents an attractive option as a therapeutic target. The inflammasome is a component of the innate immune response involved in the activation of caspase 1 and the processing of pro-interleukin 1β. In this article, we discuss the therapeutic potential of the inflammasome after central nervous system (CNS) injury and stroke, as well as the basic knowledge we have gained so far regarding inflammasome activation in the CNS. In addition, we discuss some of the therapies available or under investigation for the treatment of brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke.

Preventive effect of continuous cisternal irrigation with magnesium sulfate solution on angiographic cerebral vasospasms associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECT Although cerebral vasospasm (CV) is one of the most important predictors for the outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), no treatment has yet been established for this condition. This study investigated the efficacy of continuous direct infusion of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) solution into the intrathecal cistern in patients with an aneurysmal SAH. METHODS An SAH caused by a ruptured aneurysm was identified on CT scans within 72 hours after SAH onset. All patients were treated by surgical clipping and randomized into 2 groups: a control group of patients undergoing a standard treatment and a magnesium (Mg) group of patients additionally undergoing continuous infusion of 5 mmol/L MgSO4 solution for 14 days. The Mg(2+) concentrations in serum and CSF were recorded daily. Neurological examinations were performed by intensive care clinicians. Delayed cerebral ischemia was monitored by CT or MRI. To assess the effect of the Mg treatment on CV, the CVs were graded on the basis of the relative degree of constriction visible on cerebral angiograms taken on Day 10 after the SAH, and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was performed daily to measure blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Neurological outcomes and mortality rates were evaluated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale and modified Rankin Scale at 3 months after SAH onset. RESULTS Seventy-three patients admitted during the period of April 2008 to March 2013 were eligible and enrolled in this study. Three patients were excluded because of violation of protocol requirements. The 2 groups did not significantly differ in age, sex, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade, or Fisher grade. In the Mg group, the Mg(2+) concentration in CSF gradually increased from Day 4 after initiation of the continuous MgSO4 intrathecal administration. No such increase was observed in the control group. No significant changes in the serum Mg(2+) levels were observed for 14 days, and no cardiovascular complications such as bradycardia or hypotension were observed in any of the patients. However, bradypnea was noted among patients in the Mg group. The Mg group had a significantly better CV grade than the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the patients in the Mg group, those in the control group had a significantly elevated blood flow velocity in the MCA. Both groups were similar in the incidences of cerebral infarction, and the 2 groups also did not significantly differ in clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Continuous cisternal irrigation with MgSO4 solution starting on Day 4 and continuing to Day 14 significantly inhibited CV in patients with aneurysmal SAH without severe cardiovascular complications. However, this improvement in CV neither reduced the incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia nor improved the functional outcomes in patients with SAH.

Magnesium sulfate treatment improves outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a meta-analysis study

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of magnesium sulfate in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhagic (SAH) brain injury

METHOD

Studies for the meta-analysis were identified from PubMed (1966 to 2009), Embase (1980 to 2009), and two Chinese journals (1989 to 2009). Paper selection was based on randomized controlled trials comparing magnesium sulfate to placebo treatment in patients with SAH. Two independent review authors extracted the data and assessed trial quality. Meta-analysis was performed using the Cochrane Review Manger software.

RESULTS

Five trials involving 482 patients were included in the review. Magnesium sulfate reduced the risk of poor outcome and reduced the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia. In the treatment groups, relative risk for poor outcome was 0.73 (CI 0.57-0.93) and 0.66 (CI 0.47-0.92) for delayed cerebral ischemia. Case fatality assessment at three to six months did not show statistically significant data (RR 0.88; CI 0.61-1.29).

CONCLUSION

Magnesium sulfate appears to be an effective treatment option in the management of SAH. Further clinical trials are needed before magnesium sulfate can become a routine treatment for SAH.

Magnesium for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (MASH-2): a randomised placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Magnesium sulphate is a neuroprotective agent that might improve outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage by reducing the occurrence or improving the outcome of delayed cerebral ischaemia. We did a trial to test whether magnesium therapy improves outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

METHODS

We did this phase 3 randomised, placebo-controlled trial in eight centres in Europe and South America. We randomly assigned (with computer-generated random numbers, with permuted blocks of four, stratified by centre) patients aged 18 years or older with an aneurysmal pattern of subarachnoid haemorrhage on brain imaging who were admitted to hospital within 4 days of haemorrhage, to receive intravenous magnesium sulphate, 64 mmol/day, or placebo. We excluded patients with renal failure or bodyweight lower than 50 kg. Patients, treating physicians, and investigators assessing outcomes and analysing data were masked to the allocation. The primary outcome was poor outcome-defined as a score of 4-5 on the modified Rankin Scale-3 months after subarachnoid haemorrhage, or death. We analysed results by intention to treat. We also updated a previous meta-analysis of trials of magnesium treatment for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. This study is registered with controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN 68742385) and the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT 2006-003523-36).

FINDINGS

1204 patients were enrolled, one of whom had his treatment allocation lost. 606 patients were assigned to the magnesium group (two lost to follow-up), 597 to the placebo (one lost to follow-up). 158 patients (26·2%) had poor outcome in the magnesium group compared with 151 (25·3%) in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 1·03, 95% CI 0·85-1·25). Our updated meta-analysis of seven randomised trials involving 2047 patients shows that magnesium is not superior to placebo for reduction of poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (RR 0·96, 95% CI 0·86-1·08).

INTERPRETATION

Intravenous magnesium sulphate does not improve clinical outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, therefore routine administration of magnesium cannot be recommended.

FUNDING

Netherlands Heart Foundation, UK Medical Research Council.

From vasospasm to early brain injury: new frontiers in subarachnoid haemorrhage research

INTRODUCTION

Delayed vasospasm has traditionally been considered the most important determinant of poor outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Consequently, most of the research and therapies are directed towards reducing the incidence of vasospasm (VSP). To date, however, clinical trials based on this strategy have not delivered a definitive treatment for preventing or reducing brain injury after SAH. This fact has caused a paradigm shift in research, which now focuses on early brain injury (EBI) occurring in the first 72 hours after SAH. It has also changed the idea of VSP's role in brain damage, and suggests the need for re-evaluating the pathophysiological process of SAH.

DEVELOPMENT

This review examines the current state of knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with EBI and summarises the diagnostic options currently available.

CONCLUSION

It seems that the research approach needs to be changed so that investigators will focus on prevention of EBI, reduction of secondary brain complications and ultimately, the optimisation neurological outcome.

Causes of neurological deficits following clipping of 200 consecutive ruptured aneurysms in patients with good-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The surgical risk of unruptured aneurysms is well quantified. Although the outcomes for ruptured aneurysms are also well described, due to the concurrent morbidity from the natural history of the haemorrhage, the relative contributions of surgery and natural history to outcome following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is not. Our aim was to quantify these risks.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case note and radiological review of 200 patients with aneurysmal World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grade 1 or 2 SAH, treated with surgical clipping over a period of 3 years. Cases were reviewed to establish the incidence of surgical complications. Outcome was assessed at 3-month follow-up on Glasgow outcome score and the influence of surgical complications on this was assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients suffered a surgical complication (19%). Over one half (19/37) were due to a vascular injury and 13 of those resulted in an unfavourable outcome (7% of all operations). The remainder of the patients who suffered a surgical complication (18/37) included those with direct brain injury, cranial nerve injury, post-operative haematoma and bone flap infection. Of those, only two cases resulted in poor outcome (1% of operations). In total, 22 patients had an unfavourable outcome (11%). In 15 (8%), surgical complications were deemed the major contributory factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, surgically treated good-grade SAH has a good outcome. The majority of poor outcomes are due to surgical complications and most of these are vascular. Careful preservation of perforators and accurate clip placement remain the key factors in determining outcome in surgically treated good-grade SAH.

Role of magnesium sulfate in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage management: A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

BACKGROUND

There has been longstanding controversy over the use of magnesium sulfate infusion in the medical management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Several clinical trials evaluating the beneficial effects of magnesium on cerebral vasospasm and their poor outcome have been published. However, results from the majority of these studies have been inconclusive. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of magnesium on patient outcomes after aneurysmal SAH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed and the Cochrane library were searched for controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy of magnesium sulfate infusion after aneurysmal SAH. Eight studies consisting of 936 patients were included.

RESULTS

There was a decreased risk of poor outcome at 3-6 months after SAH in magnesium treatment groups when compared to placebo [0.78 (95% CI 0.66-0.93)]. Poor outcome was defined as severe disability, persistent vegetative state, or death, as measured by the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOSE) or modified Rankin scale (mRS). The risk of mortality after SAH was unaffected by magnesium treatment [RR 0.68 (95% CI 0.58-1.27)].

CONCLUSION

Magnesium sulfate infusion decreases risk of poor outcome after aneurysmal SAH. Current studies in the literature do not suggest a role for magnesium sulfate in mortality reduction after SAH.

Resistant vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage treated with continuous intraarterial nimodipine infusion

Cerebral vasospasm complicating aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a well-known medical entity. The delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) as a result of vasospasm remain the main cause of morbidity among patients who manage to survive this severe disease pattern. When the traditional treatment options, either medical or interventional, fail to reverse vasospasm, continuous intraarterial infusion of nimodipine through catheters directly into the spastic arteries presents a promising treatment modality. Of 73 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage between 2008 and 2009, a total of 27 had Hunt and Hess grades of 4 and 5. Fifteen percent of them showed refractory vasospasms and were treated with continuous nimodipine infusion via catheters in both internal carotid arteries. We present the method's indications and possible complications.

Magnesium sulfate for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: the end of the road or more trials?

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a feared complication and an important cause of poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In the current study, Wong and colleagues performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that investigated the efficacy of magnesium sulfate in patients with aneurysmal SAH. Outcome measures were DCI, cerebral infarction, and functional outcome 3 and 6 months after SAH. Magnesium sulfate decreased the rate of cerebral infarction, but not of DCI or poor functional outcome. Regarding outcome, a beneficial effect of magnesium sulfate on outcome can not be ruled out because of sample size limitations. Even if this meta-analysis had shown an effect on outcome, the question remains which treatment protocol should be applied in daily practice, since the administration of magnesium sulfate differed between most included studies. The present meta-analysis also underlines the importance of defining clinically relevant endpoints in SAH trials. Clinical deterioration due to DCI is more subject to inter-observer bias compared to cerebral infarction, which represents the ultimate outcome of the ischemic event. The Magnesium in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-II (MASH-II: ISRCTN68742385) phase III clinical trial nears completion. It aims to include 1,200 patients, and its results are urgently awaited.

A review of delayed ischemic neurologic deficit following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: historical overview, current treatment, and pathophysiology

Delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND) is a serious and poorly understood complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although advances in treatment have improved prognosis for these patients, long-term clinical outcomes remain disappointing. Historically, angiographic vasospasm was thought to result in a DIND, although an increasing body of evidence suggests that this is an oversimplification, because interventions that have effectively targeted angiographic vasospasm have not improved outcome. Consequently, the relationship between angiographic vasospasm and neurologic outcome may be associative rather than causative. Although our understanding of the underlying molecular processes and pathophysiology is improving, responsible mediators or pathways have yet to be identified. The aim of this review is to summarize the key historical events that have helped shape our understanding of the pathophysiology of this phenomenon (microcirculation, autoregulation, microthrombosis, inflammation, apoptosis, spreading depolarization, oxidative stress) and to present the evidence underlying current treatment strategies (hemodynamic therapy, oral nimodipine, endovascular therapy, statins, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, thrombolysis, magnesium) and the translational and clinical research investigating DIND.

Is There a Future for Neuroprotective Agents in Cardiac Surgery?

This article gives an overview of neuroprotective drugs that were recently tested in clinical trials in cardiac surgery. Also, recommendations are given for successful translational research and considerations for management during cardiac surgery.

Magnesium and aspirin treatment in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Comparison of effects after endovascular and neurosurgical aneurysm occlusion

OBJECTIVE

Aneurysm treatment with endovascular coiling is associated with a better outcome than neurosurgical clipping in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The better outcome after coiling may decrease the risk reduction from other treatments in these patients, and thus may increase sample sizes for current or future neuroprotective trials. The influence of the method of aneurysm treatment was studied in our randomised MASH trial, which assessed in a factorial design the efficacy of magnesium and aspirin in preventing delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) and poor outcome.

METHODS

Between November 2000 and January 2004 315 patients were enrolled in the trial; 55 of them had no aneurysm treatment and were excluded for the current analysis, 176 underwent neurosurgical and 84 endovascular treatment. The effect of treatment on the risk of DCI was assessed by means of Cox proportional hazards modelling and that of poor outcome by means of logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The hazard ratio of DCI with aspirin was 1.4 (95 % CI 0.3 - 1.7) after coiling and 1.9 (0.8 - 4.4) after clipping, and with magnesium 0.4 (0.1 - 1.2) after coiling and 0.8 (0.4 - 1.7) after clipping. The odds ratio of poor outcome with aspirin was 0.7 (0.2 - 2.9) after coiling and 0.8 (0.3 - 2.3) after clipping, and with magnesium 0.3 (0.1 - 1.0) after coiling and 0.8 (0.4 - 1.6) after clipping.

CONCLUSION

This post hoc analysis does not suggest that medical treatments are less effective after endovascular than after neurosurgical treatment in patients with SAH, and thus do not support a need for adjusting sample size calculations in future trials.