scholarly journals Aneurysmal Surgery in the Presence of Angiographic Vasospasm: An Outcome Assessment

Author(s):  
Nancy McLaughlin ◽  
Michel W. Bojanowski

ABSTRACT:Background and Purpose:The timing of aneurysmal surgery for patients presenting within the period at risk for vasospasm (VS) is controversial. The goal of this study is to review our experience of surgically treated patients in the presence of angiographic VS.Materials and Methods:From 1990-2004, 894 consecutive patients presented with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and were treated with a policy of early surgery. We retrospectively analyzed the patients that had pre-operative angiographic VS. In this study, symptomatic VS was diagnosed when a decreased level of consciousness and/or focal deficit occurred after SAH in the presence of angiographic VS without confounding factors. Functional outcome was assessed three months after SAH using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.Results:Of the 40 patients studied, 62.5% were in good clinical grade Hunt & Hess (H&H 1-2) on admission; 25%, intermediate grade (H&H 3); 12.5%, poor grade (H&H 4-5). Surgery was performed 24 hours or less after initial angiography in 87.5% of patients and less than 48 hours in 97.5%. Pre-operative symptomatic VS was diagnosed in 25%. Postoperatively, angiographic VS was documented in 87.2%. Of the 30% of patients that presented post-operative symptomatic VS, 66.7% also demonstrated pre-operative symptomatic VS. The functional outcome was favorable in 92.5% of the studied patients. Two deaths occurred in patients presenting pre-operative early radiological and symptomatic VS.Conclusion:Aneurysmal surgery, especially between 3-12 days following SAH, in the presence of asymptomatic pre-operative angiographic VS can be associated with a good outcome. Early surgery is not contra-indicated and might enable optimal treatment of VS.

2020 ◽  
Vol 162 (12) ◽  
pp. 3117-3128
Author(s):  
H. Slettebø ◽  
T. Karic ◽  
A. Sorteberg

Abstract Background While the smoking-related risk of experiencing an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is well established, it remains unclear whether smoking has an unexpected “protective effect” in aSAH, or if smokers are more at risk for complications and poor outcomes. Methods Prospective, observational study investigating the course and outcome of aSAH in patients admitted during the years 2011 and 2012. Smoking status at admittance, demographic, medical, and radiological variables were registered along with management, complications, and outcome at 1 year in terms of mortality, modified Rankin score, and Glasgow outcome score extended. We compared current smokers with nonsmokers on group level and by paired analysis matched by aSAH severity, age, and severity of vasospasm. Results We included 237 patients, thereof 138 current smokers (58.2%). Seventy-four smoker/nonsmoker pairs were matched. Smokers presented more often in poor clinical grade, had less subarachnoid blood, and were younger than nonsmokers. Ruptured aneurysms were larger, and multiple aneurysms more common in smokers. Severe multi-vessel vasospasm was less frequent in smokers, whereas all other complications occurred at similar rates. Mortality at 30 days was lower in smokers and functional outcome was similar in smokers and nonsmokers. Poor clinical grade, age, cerebral infarction, and vertebrobasilar aneurysms were independent predictors of 1-year mortality and of poor functional outcome. Serious comorbidity was a predictor of 1-year mortality. Smoking did not predict mortality or poor functional outcome. Conclusions Notwithstanding clinically more severe aSAH, smokers developed less frequently severe vasospasm and had better outcome than expected. The risk for complications after aSAH is not increased in smokers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (6) ◽  
pp. 1315-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naif M. Alotaibi ◽  
Ghassan Awad Elkarim ◽  
Nardin Samuel ◽  
Oliver G. S. Ayling ◽  
Daipayan Guha ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEPatients with poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade IV or V) are often considered for decompressive craniectomy (DC) as a rescue therapy for refractory intracranial hypertension. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of DC on functional outcome and death in patients after poor-grade aSAH.METHODSA systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were identified through the Ovid Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to October 2015. Only studies dedicated to patients with poor-grade aSAH were included. Primary outcomes were death and functional outcome assessed at any time period. Patients were grouped as having a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] Scores 1–3, Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] Scores 4 and 5, extended Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOSE] Scores 5–8) or unfavorable outcome (mRS Scores 4–6, GOS Scores 1–3, GOSE Scores 1–4). Pooled estimates of event rates and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random-effects model.RESULTSFifteen studies encompassing 407 patients were included in the meta-analysis (all observational cohorts). The pooled event rate for poor outcome across all studies was 61.2% (95% CI 52%–69%) and for death was 27.8% (95% CI 21%–35%) at a median of 12 months after aSAH. Primary (or early) DC resulted in a lower overall event rate for unfavorable outcome than secondary (or delayed) DC (47.5% [95% CI 31%–64%] vs 74.4% [95% CI 43%–91%], respectively). Among studies with comparison groups, there was a trend toward a reduced mortality rate 1–3 months after discharge among patients who did not undergo DC (OR 0.58 [95% CI 0.27–1.25]; p = 0.168). However, this trend was not sustained at the 1-year follow-up (OR 1.09 [95% CI 0.55–2.13]; p = 0.79).CONCLUSIONSResults of this study summarize the best evidence available in the literature for DC in patients with poor-grade aSAH. DC is associated with high rates of unfavorable outcome and death. Because of the lack of robust control groups in a majority of the studies, the effect of DC on functional outcomes versus that of other interventions for refractory intracranial hypertension is still unknown. A randomized trial is needed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 126 (5) ◽  
pp. 1545-1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fawaz Al-Mufti ◽  
David Roh ◽  
Shouri Lahiri ◽  
Emma Meyers ◽  
Jens Witsch ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe clinical significance of cerebral ultra-early angiographic vasospasm (UEAV), defined as cerebral arterial narrowing within the first 48 hours of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), remains poorly characterized. The authors sought to determine its frequency, predictors, and impact on functional outcome.METHODSThe authors prospectively studied UEAV in a cohort of 1286 consecutively admitted patients with aSAH between August 1996 and June 2013. Admission clinical, radiographic, and acute clinical course information was documented during patient hospitalization. Functional outcome was assessed at 3 months using the modified Rankin Scale. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were generated to assess predictors of UEAV and its relationship to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and outcome. Multiple imputation methods were used to address data lost to follow-up.RESULTSThe cohort incidence rate of UEAV was 4.6%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age, sentinel bleed, and poor admission clinical grade were significantly associated with UEAV. Patients with UEAV had a 2-fold increased risk of DCI (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–3.9, p = 0.002) and cerebral infarction (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–3.9, p = 0.04), after adjusting for known predictors. Excluding patients who experienced sentinel bleeding did not change this effect. Patients with UEAV also had a significantly higher hazard for DCI in a multivariable model. UEAV was not found to be significantly associated with poor functional outcome (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.6, p = 0.5).CONCLUSIONSUEAV may be less frequent than has been reported previously. Patients who exhibit UEAV are at higher risk for refractory DCI that results in cerebral infarction. These patients may benefit from earlier monitoring for signs of DCI and more aggressive treatment. Further study is needed to determine the long-term functional significance of UEAV.


2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory G. Heuer ◽  
Michelle J. Smith ◽  
J. Paul Elliott ◽  
H. Richard Winn ◽  
Peter D. Leroux

Object. Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is well known to affect adversely patients with head injury. In contrast, the variables associated with ICP following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and their impact on outcome have been less intensely studied. Methods. In this retrospective study the authors reviewed a prospective observational database cataloging the treatment details in 433 patients with SAH who had undergone surgical occlusion of an aneurysm as well as ICP monitoring. All 433 patients underwent postoperative ICP monitoring, whereas only 146 (33.7%) underwent both pre- and postoperative ICP monitoring. The mean maximal ICP was 24.9 ± 17.3 mm Hg (mean ± standard deviation). During their hospital stay, 234 patients (54%) had elevated ICP (> 20 mm Hg), including 136 of those (48.7%) with a good clinical grade (Hunt and Hess Grades I–III) and 98 (63.6%) of the 154 patients with a poor grade (Hunt and Hess Grades IV and V) on admission. An increased mean maximal ICP was associated with several admission variables: worse Hunt and Hess clinical grade (p < 0.0001), a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC) motor score (p < 0.0001); worse SAH grade based on results of computerized tomography studies (p < 0.0001); intracerebral hemorrhage (p = 0.024); severity of intraventricular hemorrhage (p < 0.0001); and rebleeding (p = 0.0048). Both intraoperative cerebral swelling (p = 0.0017) and postoperative GCS score (p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with a raised ICP. Variables such as patient age, aneurysm size, symptomatic vasospasm, intraoperative aneurysm rupture, and secondary cerebral insults such as hypoxia were not associated with raised ICP. Increased ICP adversely affected outcome: 71.9% of patients with normal ICP demonstrated favorable 6-month outcomes postoperatively, whereas 63.5% of patients with ICP between 20 and 50 mm Hg and 33.3% with ICP greater than 50 mm Hg demonstrated favorable outcomes. Among 21 patients whose raised ICP did not respond to mannitol therapy, all experienced a poor outcome and 95.2% died. Among 145 patients whose elevated ICP responded to mannitol, 66.9% had a favorable outcome and only 20.7% were dead 6 months after surgery (p < 0.0001). According to results of multivariate analysis, however, ICP was not an independent outcome predictor (odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval 0.28–5.68). Conclusions. Increased ICP is common after SAH, even in patients with a good clinical grade. Elevated ICP post-SAH is associated with a worse patient outcome, particularly if ICP does not respond to treatment. This association, however, may depend more on the overall severity of the SAH than on ICP alone.


2009 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Wei Pan ◽  
Ren-Ya Zhan ◽  
Liang Wen ◽  
Ying Tong ◽  
Shu Wan ◽  
...  

Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Zhao ◽  
Xianxi Tan ◽  
Yuanli Zhao ◽  
Yong Cao ◽  
Jun Wu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the optimal timing for surgery for poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate variation in patient characteristics and outcomes between early and delayed surgery groups. METHODS: Poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was defined as a World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade of IV or V after resuscitation. Early surgery was defined as surgery performed within 72 hours of ictus, and delayed surgery was defined as surgery after 72 hours. Outcomes were assessed by modified Rankin score. The mean time of follow-up was 12.5 ± 3.4 months. RESULTS: Of the 118 patients included in the study, 80 (68%) underwent early surgery and 38 (32%) underwent delayed surgery. Patients with brain herniation (P &lt; .001) and a lower Fisher grade (P = .02) more often underwent early surgery. Patients in the early group more often underwent decompressive craniectomy (P &lt; .001). Postoperative complications and length of hospital stay did not differ, and outcomes were similar between the 2 groups. Forty (34%) patients had an excellent outcome (modified Rankin score 0-1). Multivariate analysis showed a slight trend toward an excellent outcome in the early surgery group. Younger age, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade IV after resuscitation, and middle cerebral artery aneurysms were independent predictors of an excellent outcome. CONCLUSION: Although patients with brain herniation and a lower Fisher grade were more likely to undergo early surgery, there was a slight trend toward an excellent outcome in the early surgery group. Patients with a younger age, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade IV after resuscitation, and middle cerebral artery aneurysms were more likely to experience an excellent outcome.


1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 984-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhei Yoshimoto ◽  
Suyong Kwak

✓ The factors contributing to neurological deterioration after early surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were investigated. One hundred forty-two patients who underwent surgery within 3 days after SAH and recovered consciousness were divided into three age groups: 49 years of age or younger (Group A), 50 to 64 years old (Group B), and 65 years of age or older (Group C). Among these, 40 patients (28%) overall showed neurological deterioration; these cases were analyzed in detail. Although the highest incidence of deterioration was noted in patients in Group C (42%), angiographic vasospasm, quantified by measuring the change in the ratio of the diameters of the intracranial arteries to the extracranial internal carotid artery, was negatively correlated with age. In elderly patients, the severity of angiographic vasospasm was not related to the reversibility of symptoms or the outcome. At the time of aggravation, associated systemic complications such as cardiac decompensation, hypoxia, and electrolyte imbalance were noted in two (18%) of 11 patients in Group A, five (38%) of 13 in Group B, and eight (50%) of 16 in Group C, and these complications were significantly correlated with poor outcome in Group C. Although arterial narrowing is a leading cause of neurological deterioration after early aneurysmal surgery, the etiology is often multifactorial, especially in elderly patients, suggesting that hypervolemic therapy, which might provoke various complications, should be performed carefully under intensive monitoring.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 1025-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan A. Friedman ◽  
Mark A. Pichelmann ◽  
David G. Piepgras ◽  
Jon I. McIver ◽  
L. Gerard Toussaint ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE Pulmonary complications challenge the medical management of patients who have sustained aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We assessed the frequency and types of pulmonary complications after aneurysmal SAH and analyzed the impact of pulmonary complications on patient outcome. METHODS We reviewed the records of all patients with acute SAH treated at our institution between 1990 and 1997. Three hundred five consecutive patients with an aneurysmal hemorrhage source documented by angiography and treated within 7 days of ictus were analyzed. Outcomes at longest follow-up (mean, 16 mo) were measured by use of the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS Pulmonary complications were documented in 66 patients (22%). The pulmonary complications were nosocomial pneumonia in 26 patients (9%), congestive heart failure in 23 (8%), aspiration pneumonia in 17 (6%), neurogenic pulmonary edema in 5 (2%), pulmonary embolus in 2 (&lt;1%), and other pulmonary disorders in 4 (1%); 11 patients had two pulmonary complications. The incidence of symptomatic vasospasm was greater in patients with pulmonary complications (63%) than in patients without pulmonary complications (31%) (P= 0.001), and this association was independent of age and clinical grade at admission (odds ratio, 3.68; P&lt; 0.001). Overall clinical outcomes were worse in patients with pulmonary complications (mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 3.3) than in patients without pulmonary complications (mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 4.0; P= 0.0001), but pulmonary complications were not an independent predictor of worse outcome when adjusted for age and clinical grade at admission (odds ratio, 1.38; P= 0.315). CONCLUSION Patients who experience pulmonary complications after aneurysmal SAH have a higher incidence of symptomatic vasospasm than do patients without pulmonary complications. This most likely reflects both the failure to maintain aggressive hypervolemic and hyperdynamic therapy in patients with pulmonary compromise and the possible precipitation of congestive heart failure by hypervolemic therapy in patients with preexisting delayed ischemic neurological deficit. Although patients with pulmonary complications have worse overall clinical outcomes than do patients without pulmonary complications, this is attributable to older age and worse clinical grades at admission.


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