Hydroxyethyl starch for volume expansion after subarachnoid haemorrhage and renal function: Results of a retrospective analysis

Economic and Humanistic Burden of Cerebral Vasospasm and Its Related Complications after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Literature Review

Introduction

Cerebral vasospasm (VSP) is the leading risk factor of neurological deterioration (i.e., delayed cerebral ischemia [DCI] and cerebral infarction) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and a cause of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this systematic literature review is to summarize the economic and humanistic burden of VSP and its related complications after aSAH.

Methods

A predefined protocol was designed, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane (in January 2021) to identify studies reporting economic and/or humanistic (i.e., health-related quality of life [HRQoL]) outcomes for patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic VSP after aSAH. Related conferences and additional sources were searched manually. Dual screening, data extraction, and qualitative analysis were conducted.

Results

Of 3818 abstracts identified for review, 43 full-text articles representing 42 single studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Most studies (33) were observational; nine were randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Economic outcomes were reported in 31 studies, and alongside HRQoL outcomes in 4 studies; 7 studies reported HRQoL outcomes only. Forty studies were conducted in single countries, while only 2 RCTs were conducted in multiple countries. Patients diagnosed with VSP or DCI spent between 2.1 and 7.4 days longer in intensive care and between 4.7 and 17 days longer in hospital (total) compared with patients without VSP or DCI. A significantly higher cost burden of US$33,945 (2021 £26,712) was identified for patients with VSP and £9370 (2021 £13,733) for patients with DCI compared with patients without. Patients with DCI were also disadvantaged by being employed for 62 fewer days (during 24-month follow-up), with an estimated mean cost of £3821 (2021 £5600) for days off work. Poor HRQoL was associated with ≥ 1 days with VSP symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–5.3), symptomatic VSP (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.0–3.6), and DCI (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3–4.2), although this was not consistent across all studies. Symptomatic VSP and DCI were identified as significant risk factors for depressed mood (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0–4.9) and global cognitive impairment (OR: 2.3) at 12 months, respectively. The severity of VSP was a critical predictor of post-aSAH economic and humanistic burden. Similar trends in economic and humanistic burden were identified in the general aSAH patient population. Study design and patient heterogeneity precluded direct metaanalysis of the results.

Conclusion

A substantial direct and indirect economic burden is linked to VSP and its related complications after aSAH. Although limited evidence was identified for humanistic burden, these patients seem to suffer from poor HRQoL with long-lasting burden. Overall, there is an urgent need to understand better the concept of “burden of illness” of VSP and its related complications after aSAH.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-022-00348-6.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a sudden, life-threatening emergency caused by bleeding in the subarachnoid space between the brain and skull. Vasospasm of the arteries surrounding the hemorrhage occurs in most patients and may lead to permanent brain damage. This study summarizes the published literature to describe the burden that patients may experience due to vasospasm and its related complications after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, focusing on financial and life quality aspects. We show that the burden of vasospasm, and its related complications, is huge. Patients often experience reduced quality of life due to their poor health and are more likely to suffer from depression and intellectual impairment. There is also a substantial financial burden linked to vasospasm and its related complications, driven by the need for more intensive care, hospitalization, and higher investigative costs associated with the treatment and management of these patients. In addition, days off work and unemployment can cause a substantial indirect financial burden. Our study highlights the need for additional research to understand further the “burden of illness” of vasospasm and its related complications after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Hemodynamic response and clinical outcome following intravenous milrinone plus norepinephrine-based hyperdynamic hypertensive therapy in patients suffering secondary cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Purpose

Intravenous and intra-arterial milrinone as a rescue measure for delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been adopted by several groups, but so far, evidence for the clinical benefit is unclear and effect on brain perfusion is unknown. The aim of the actual analysis was to define cerebral hemodynamic effects and outcome of intravenous milrinone plus norepinephrine supplemented by intra-arterial nimodipine as a rescue strategy for DCI following aneurysmal SAH.

Methods

Of 176 patients with aneurysmal SAH treated at our neurosurgical department between April 2016 and March 2021, 98 suffered from DCI and were submitted to rescue therapy. For the current analysis, characteristics of these patients and clinical response to rescue therapy were correlated with hemodynamic parameters, as assessed by CT angiography (CTA) and perfusion CT. Time to peak (TTP) delay in the ischemic focus and the volume with a TTP delay of more than 4 s (T4 volume) were used as hemodynamic parameters.

Results

The median delay to neurological deterioration following SAH was 5 days. Perfusion CT at that time showed median T4 volumes of 40 cc and mean focal TTP delays of 2.5 ± 2.1 s in these patients. Following rescue therapy, median T4 volume decreased to 10 cc and mean focal TTP delay to 1.7 ± 1.9 s. Seventeen patients (17% of patients with DCI) underwent additional intra-arterial spasmolysis using nimodipine. Visible resolution of macroscopic vasospasm on CTA was observed in 43% patients with DCI and verified vasospasm on CTA, including those managed with additional intra-arterial spasmolysis. Initial WFNS grade, occurrence of secondary infarction, ischemic volumes and TTP delays at the time of decline, the time to clinical decline, and the necessity for additional intra-arterial spasmolysis were identified as the most important features determining neurological outcome at 6 months.

Conclusion

The current analysis shows that cerebral perfusion in the setting of secondary cerebral ischemia following SAH is measurably improved by milrinone and norepinephrine–based hyperdynamic therapy. A long-term clinical benefit by the addition of milrinone appears likely. Separation of the direct effect of milrinone from the effect of induced hypertension is not possible based on the present dataset.

Fluid management in patients undergoing neurosurgery

Fluid management is an important component of perioperative care for patients undergoing neurosurgery. The primary goal of fluid management in neurosurgery is the maintenance of normovolemia and prevention of serum osmolarity reduction. To maintain normovolemia, it is important to administer fluids in appropriate amounts following appropriate methods, and to prevent a decrease in serum osmolarity, the choice of fluid is essential. There is considerable debate about the choice and optimal amounts of fluids administered in the perioperative period. However, there is little high-quality clinical research on fluid therapy for patients undergoing neurosurgery. This review will discuss the choice and optimal amounts of fluids in neurosurgical patients based on the literature, recent issues, and perioperative fluid management practices.

Hydroxyethylstarch revisited for acute brain injury treatment

Infusion of the colloid hydroxyethylstarch has been used for volume substitution to maintain hemodynamics and microcirculation after e.g., severe blood loss. In the last decade it was revealed that hydroxyethylstarch can aggravate acute kidney injury, especially in septic patients. Because of the serious risk for critically ill patients, the administration of hydroxyethylstarch was restricted for clinical use. Animal studies and recently published in vitro experiments showed that hydroxyethylstarch might exert protective effects on the blood-brain barrier. Since the prevention of blood-brain barrier disruption was shown to go along with the reduction of brain damage after several kinds of insults, we revisit the topic hydroxyethylstarch and discuss a possible niche for the application of hydroxyethylstarch in acute brain injury treatment.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema following acute stroke: The progress and perspective

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) following acute stroke is an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with clinical characteristics that include acute onset, apparent pulmonary interstitial fluid infiltration and rapid resolution. The pathological process of NPE centers on sympathetic stimulation and fulminant release of catecholamines, which cause contraction of resistance vessels. Elevated systemic resistance forces fluid into pulmonary circulation, while pulmonary circulation overload induces pulmonary capillary pressure that elevates, and in turn damages the alveolar capillary barrier. Damage to the alveolar capillary barrier leads to pulmonary ventilation disorder, blood perfusion disorder and oxygenation disorder. Eventually, NPE will cause post-stroke patients' prognosis to further deteriorate. At present, we lack specific biological diagnostic indicators and a meticulously unified diagnostic criterion, and this results in a situation in which many patients are not recognized quickly and/or diagnosed accurately. There are no drugs that are effective against NPE. Therefore, understanding how to diagnose NPE early by identifying the risk factors and how to apply appropriate treatment to avoid a deteriorating prognosis are important scientific goals. We will elaborate the progress of NPE after acute stroke in terms of its pathophysiological mechanisms, etiology, epidemiology, clinical diagnosis and early prediction, comprehensive treatment strategies, and novel drug development. We also propose our own thinking and prospects regarding NPE.

Assessment of two prophylactic fluid strategies in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of two prophylactic euvolemic fluid strategy regimens on the incidence of cerebral vasospasm and clinical outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

Ninety-six patients with a basal intravenous intake of 15 mL/kg/day of Ringer's lactate solution were included, and an additional 15 to 50 mL/kg/day Ringer's lactate (RL-group) or hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 solution (HES-group) was administered to maintain the targeted mean arterial pressure. The primary end point was the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm during the first 14 days. The secondary end points were case fatality, Barthel's index, and Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS) at 30 days after SAH.

RESULTS

Cerebral vasospasm developed in 42 patients (43.7%), and nine of these events were severe. The vasospasm rate among the RL- and HES-based groups was 25/48 and 17/48, respectively. For the secondary endpoint, four patients (4%) died by the end of follow-up (two in each group). Unfavorable outcome cases were not different in the RL and HES groups (9 vs. 14, respectively). There was no difference between the Barthel's scores at 30 days between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Using starches in a prophylactic treatment strategy in aneurysmal SAH in not supported by the study.The trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT02064075.

Hydroxyethylstarch (130/0.4) tightens the blood-brain barrier in vitro

In order to prevent cerebral vasospasm after a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the so-called triple H-therapy (hypertension, hypervolemia, hemodilution) could be applied. In these cases, colloidal solutions containing Hydroxyethylstarch (HES) are used to induce hypervolemia. The administration of HES is very much under debate for the mentioned use, because in general the application of HES for the treatment of critical ill patients has been reduced tremendously in the last years due to its nephrotoxic effects. In this context, there are limited data investigating the influence of HES on the blood-brain barrier. These data might help to assess if a transient administration of HES is possibly justifiable to prevent cerebral ischemia during vasospasm despite the risk of an acute kidney injury. To address this question, a mouse blood-brain barrier in vitro model based on cell line cerebEND was exposed to different HES concentrations and compared to NaCl-containing control solutions. In order to assess the effects of HES on blood-brain barrier properties, cell viability, transendothelial electrical resistance, permeability of carboxyfluorescein, mRNA and protein expression and localization of tight junction proteins were determined. In summary, 1.5-4% HES attenuated cell viability in a mild, concentration dependent manner compared to the NaCl control solution (0% HES). At the mRNA level 1% and 4% HES significantly increased the expression of tight junction associated proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) and the glucose transporter Glut-1 (Slc2a1). In correspondence to this, 4% HES inhibited breakdown of the paracellular barrier in comparison to the control NaCl group (0% HES) shown by transendothelial electrical resistance values and the permeability of the paracellular marker carboxyfluorescein. These effects at the functional level were confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopic images of junctional proteins. The obtained in vitro data showed a potential for HES to counteract blood-brain barrier damage. Future studies are needed to reveal the applicability of HES as a blood-brain barrier stabilizing agent.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a predictive factor of acute kidney injury following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a well-recognized biomarker of neurologic complications and clinical outcome of stroke patients. However, whether hs-CRP can predict the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients is still unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using serum hs-CRP level to predict the occurrence of AKI in aSAH patients.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-four aSAH patients were enrolled into a prospective observational study. AKI was diagnosed using the modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) standard. The relationship between serum hs-CRP level at admission and occurrence of AKI was analyzed.

RESULTS

AKI occurred in 17 patients (10.4%) in this cohort. Patients with AKI had significantly higher hs-CRP levels than those without. The mortality of the AKI group tends to be higher than that of the non-AKI group, but the difference was not statistically significant (4/17 (23.5%) vs. 13/147 (8.8%), P = 0.081). After adjusting for possible confounding factors including World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade, diabetes, and serum creatinine, multivariate analysis revealed that serum hs-CRP level and antibiotic therapy were both significant factors independently associated with AKI following aSAH (serum hs-CRP: OR = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-1.3, P = 0.003; antibiotic therapy: OR = 5.8, 95%CI = 1.6-20.7, P = 0.007). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that hs-CRP had a sensitivity of 76.5% and a specificity of 64.6% for predicting the development of AKI on the basis of the best thresholds. The post hoc log-rank test revealed that patients having serum hs-CRP level > 6.6 mg/L had a significantly higher AKI rate than patients having serum hs-CRP level ≤ 6.6 mg/L (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum hs-CRP level might be helpful as a predictor for the development of AKI in aSAH patients. Delayed cerebral ischemia occurrence rate and mortality of patients with AKI tend to be higher than those of patients without in this cohort; however, they were not significantly different.