Neurocritical care management of poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage: Unjustified nihilism to reasonable optimism

Emergent Management of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) carries high morbidity and mortality rates, and the emergent management of this disease can make a large impact on patient outcome. The purpose of this article is to provide a pragmatic overview of the emergent management of SAH.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Recent trials have influenced practice around the use of antifibrinolytics, the timing of aneurysm securement, the recognition of cerebral edema and focus on avoiding a lower limit of perfusion, and the detection and prevention of delayed cerebral ischemia. Much of the acute management of SAH can be protocolized, as demonstrated by two updated guidelines published by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Neurocritical Care Society in 2023. However, the gaps in evidence lead to clinical equipoise in some aspects of critical care management.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

In acute management, there is an urgency to differentiate the etiology of SAH and take key emergent actions including blood pressure management and coagulopathy reversal. The critical care management of SAH is similar to that of other acute brain injuries, with the addition of detecting and treating delayed cerebral ischemia. Strategies for the detection and treatment of delayed cerebral ischemia are limited by disordered consciousness and may be augmented by monitoring and imaging technology.

Mapping geographic disparities in treatment and clinical outcomes of high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the United States

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although high-grade (Hunt and Hess 4 and 5) aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) typically portends a poor prognosis, early and aggressive treatment has previously been demonstrated to confer a significant survival advantage. This study aims to evaluate geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic determinants of high-grade aSAH treatment in the United States.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried to identify adult high-grade aSAH hospitalizations during the period of 2015 to 2019 using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD) codes. The primary clinical endpoint of this analysis was aneurysm treatment by surgical or endovascular intervention (SEI), while the exposure of interest was geographic region by census division. Favorable functional outcome (assessed by the dichotomous NIS-SAH Outcome Measure, or NIS-SOM) and in-hospital mortality were evaluated as secondary endpoints in treated and conservatively managed groups.

RESULTS

Among 99 460 aSAH patients identified, 36 795 (37.0%) were high-grade, and 9210 (25.0%) of these were treated by SEI. Following multivariable logistic regression analysis, determinants of treatment by SEI included female sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.42, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.51), transfer admission (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.25), private insurance (ref: government-sponsored insurance) (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.28), and government hospital ownership (ref: private ownership) (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.25), while increasing age (by decade) (aOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.95), increasing mortality risk (aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.63), urban non-teaching hospital status (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.73), rural hospital location (aOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.7 to 0.25), small hospital bedsize (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.76), and geographic region (South Atlantic (aOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.83), East South Central (aOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88), and Mountain (aOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.85)) were associated with a lower likelihood of treatment. High-grade aSAH patients treated by SEI experienced significantly greater rates of favorable functional outcomes (20.1% vs 17.3%; OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.28, P<0.001) and lower rates of mortality (25.8% vs 49.1%; OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.38, P<0.001) in comparison to those conservatively managed.

CONCLUSION

A complex interplay of demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors influence treatment patterns of high-grade aSAH in the United States.

Outcomes following poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Up to 35% of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) cases may present as poor grade, defined as World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grades IV and V. In this study, we evaluate functional outcomes and prognostic factors.

METHODS

This prospective study included all patients referred to a national, centralized neurosurgical service with a diagnosis of poor-grade aSAH between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2019. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate probability of poor functional outcomes, defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) of 1-3 at 3 months.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-seven patients were referred, of whom 116/257 (45.1%) underwent treatment of an aneurysm, with 97/116 (84%) treated within 48 h of referral. Median age was 62 years (IQR 51-69) with a female predominance (167/257, 65%). Untreated patients tended to be older; 123/141 (87%) had WFNS V, 60/141 (45%) unreactive pupils and 21/141 (16%) circulatory arrest. Of all referred patients, poor outcome occurred in 169/230 (73.5%). Unreactive pupils or circulatory arrest conferred a universally poor prognosis, with mortality in 55/56 (98%) and 19/19 (100%), respectively. The risk of a poor outcome was 14.1% (95% CI 4.5-23.6) higher in WFNS V compared with WFNS IV. Age was important in patients without circulatory arrest or unreactive pupils, with risk of a poor outcome increasing by 1.8% per year (95% CI 1-2.7). In patients undergoing aneurysm securement, 48/101 (47.5%) had a poor outcome, with age, rebleeding, vasospasm and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion being important prognosticators. The addition of serum markers did not add significant discrimination beyond the clinical presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall outcomes of WFNS IV and V aSAH remain poor, mainly due to the devastating effects of the original haemorrhage. However, in patients selected for aneurysm securement, good outcomes can be achieved in more than half of patients. Age, pre-intervention rebleeding, vasospasm, and CSF diversion are important prognostic factors.

Frailty as a Predictor of Outcomes in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frailty is an emerging concept in clinical practice used to predict outcomes and dictate treatment algorithms. Frail patients, especially older adults, are at higher risk for adverse outcomes. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a neurosurgical emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality rates that have previously been shown to correlate with frailty. However, the relationship between treatment selection and post-treatment outcomes in frail aSAH patients is not established. We conducted a meta-analysis of the relevant literature in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using "Subarachnoid hemorrhage AND frailty" and "subarachnoid hemorrhage AND frail" as search terms. Data on cohort age, frailty measurements, clinical grading systems, and post-treatment outcomes were extracted. Of 74 studies identified, four studies were included, with a total of 64,668 patients. Percent frailty was 30.4% under a random-effects model in all aSAH patients (p < 0.001). Overall mortality rate of aSAH patients was 11.7% when using a random-effects model (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in mortality rate between frail and non-frail aSAH patients, but this analysis only included two studies and should be interpreted cautiously. Age and clinical grading, rather than frailty, independently predicted outcomes and mortality in aSAH patients.

A visualized MAC nomogram online predicts the risk of three-month mortality in Chinese elderly aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients undergoing endovascular coiling

OBJECTIVE

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is an aggressive disease with higher mortality rate in the elderly population. Unfortunately, the previous models for predicting clinical prognosis are still not accurate enough. Therefore, we aimed to construct and validate a visualized nomogram model to predict online the 3-month mortality in elderly aSAH patients undergoing endovascular coiling.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 209 elderly aSAH patients at People's Hospital of Hunan Province, China. A nomogram was developed based on multivariate logistic regression and forward stepwise regression analysis, then validated using the bootstrap validation method (n = 1000). In addition, the performance of the nomogram was evaluated by various indicators to prove its clinical value.

RESULT

Morbid pupillary reflex, age, and using a breathing machine were independent predictors of 3-month mortality. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.901 (95% CI: 0.853-0.950), and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed good calibration of the nomogram (p = 0.4328). Besides, the bootstrap validation method internally validated the nomogram with an area under the curve of the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) of 0.896 (95% CI: 0.846-0.945). Decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC) indicated the nomogram's excellent clinical utility and applicability.

CONCLUSION

An easily applied visualized nomogram model named MAC (morbid pupillary reflex-age-breathing machine) based on three accessible factors has been successfully developed. The MAC nomogram is an accurate and complementary tool to support individualized decision-making and emphasizes that patients with higher risk of mortality may require closer monitoring. Furthermore, a web-based online version of the risk calculator would greatly contribute to the spread of the model in this field.

Clinical Impact and Predictors of Aneurysmal Rebleeding in Poor-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Results From the National POGASH Registry

BACKGROUND

Scarce data are available regarding rebleeding predictors in poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate predictors and clinical impact of rebleeding in a national multicentric poor-grade aSAH.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the multicentric Poor Grade Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Study Group (POGASH) registry of consecutive patients treated from January 1, 2015, to June 30th, 2021. Grading was defined as pretreatment World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grading scale IV-V. Ultra-early vasospasm (UEV) was defined as luminal narrowing of intracranial arteries not due to intrinsic disease. Rebleeding was defined as clinical deterioration with evidence of increased hemorrhage on subsequent computed tomography scans, fresh blood from the external ventricular drain, or deterioration before neuroradiological evaluation. Outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale.

RESULTS

Among 443 consecutive World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades IV-V patients with aSAH treated within a median of 5 (IQR 4-9) hours since onset, rebleeding occurred in 78 (17.6%). UEV (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% CI 3.2-14.4; P < .001) and presence of dissecting aneurysm (adjusted OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3-9.3; P = .011) independently predicted rebleeding while history of hypertension (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8; P = .011) independently reduced its chances. 143 (32.3) patients died during hospitalization. Rebleeding emerged, among others, as an independent predictor of intrahospital mortality (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1; P = .009).

CONCLUSION

UEV and presence of dissecting aneurysms are the strongest predictors of aneurysmal rebleeding. Their presence should be carefully evaluated in the acute management of poor-grade aSAH.

Guidelines for the Neurocritical Care Management of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The neurointensive care management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is one of the most critical components contributing to short-term and long-term patient outcomes. Previous recommendations for the medical management of aSAH comprehensively summarized the evidence based on consensus conference held in 2011. In this report, we provide updated recommendations based on appraisal of the literature using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology.

METHODS

The Population/Intervention/Comparator/Outcome (PICO) questions relevant to the medical management of aSAH were prioritized by consensus from the panel members. The panel used a custom-designed survey instrument to prioritize clinically relevant outcomes specific to each PICO question. To be included, the study design qualifying criteria were as follows: prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective or retrospective observational studies, case-control studies, case series with a sample larger than 20 patients, meta-analyses, restricted to human study participants. Panel members first screened titles and abstracts, and subsequently full text review of selected reports. Data were abstracted in duplicate from reports meeting inclusion criteria. Panelists used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Risk of Bias tool for assessment of RCTs and the "Risk of Bias In Nonrandomized Studies - of Interventions" tool for assessment of observational studies. The summary of the evidence for each PICO was presented to the full panel, and then the panel voted on the recommendations.

RESULTS

The initial search retrieved 15,107 unique publications, and 74 were included for data abstraction. Several RCTs were conducted to test pharmacological interventions, and we found that the quality of evidence for nonpharmacological questions was consistently poor. Five PICO questions were supported by strong recommendations, one PICO question was supported by conditional recommendations, and six PICO questions did not have sufficient evidence to provide a recommendation.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines provide recommendations for or against interventions proven to be effective, ineffective, or harmful in the medical management of patients with aSAH based on a rigorous review of the available literature. They also serve to highlight gaps in knowledge that should guide future research priorities. Despite improvements in the outcomes of patients with aSAH over time, many important clinical questions remain unanswered.

Trends in Admissions and Outcomes for Treatment of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the United States

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle modifications and advances in surgical and endovascular techniques for treating unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) have vastly evolved over the last few decades and may have reduced the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). However, the actual impact of these changes on the rates and outcomes of aSAH remain unexplored. Thus, we studied national aSAH admissions and outcome trends and changes of major risk factors over time.

METHODS

We queried the National Inpatient Sample between 2006 and 2018 to identify adult patients admitted and treated for UIA or ruptured aneurysm with aSAH. The Cochran-Armitage test was conducted to assess the linear trend of proportion of prevalence, inpatient mortality, hypertension, and current smoking status among aSAH admissions. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the odds of presenting with aSAH versus UIA, in addition to the odds of inpatient mortality among patients with aSAH.

RESULTS

A total of 159,913 patients presented with UIA and 133,567 presented with aSAH. Admissions for aSAH decreased by 0.97% (p < 0.001) per year. Current smoking and hypertension were associated with higher odds of being admitted for aSAH compared with the treatment for UIA (odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-1.48; OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.08-1.22, respectively). Compared with White patients, Black patients (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21-1.43), Hispanic patients (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.25-1.52), and patients of other races and/or ethnicities (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.54-1.95) had a higher chance of presenting with aSAH. Rates of inpatient mortality among aSAH admissions showed no change over time (p = 0.21). Among patients admitted with aSAH, current smoking and hypertension showed an upward trend of 0.58% (p < 0.001) and 1.60% (p < 0.001) per year, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a downward trend in the annual frequency of hospitalizations for aSAH, inpatient mortality rates for patients undergoing treatment of the ruptured aneurysm have remained unchanged in the United States. Smoking and hypertension are increasingly prevalent among patients with aSAH. Thus, efforts to control these modifiable risk factors must be further strengthened.