Secondary hemorrhagic complications in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: when the impact hits hard

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin Darkwah Oppong ◽  
Kathrin Buffen ◽  
Daniela Pierscianek ◽  
Annika Herten ◽  
Yahya Ahmadipour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Minor Bleeding ◽  
Thrombolytic Agents ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Hemorrhagic Complications ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVEClinical data on secondary hemorrhagic complications (SHCs) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are sparse and mostly limited to ventriculostomy-associated SHCs. This study aimed to elucidate the incidence, risk factors, and impact on outcome of SHCs in a large cohort of SAH patients.METHODSAll consecutive patients with ruptured aneurysms treated between January 2003 and June 2016 were eligible for this study. Patients’ charts were reviewed for clinical data, and imaging studies were reviewed for radiographic data. SHCs were divided into those associated with ventriculostomy and those not associated with ventriculostomy, as well as into major and minor bleeding forms, depending on clinical impact.RESULTSSixty-two (6.6%) of the 939 patients included in the final analysis developed SHCs. Ventriculostomy-associated bleedings (n = 16) were independently predicted by mono- or dual-antiplatelet therapy after aneurysm treatment (p = 0.028, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 10.28; and p = 0.026, aOR = 14.25, respectively) but showed no impact on functional outcome after SAH. Periinterventional use of thrombolytic agents for early effective anticoagulation was the only independent predictor (p = 0.010, aOR = 4.27) of major SHCs (n = 38, 61.3%) in endovascularly treated patients. In turn, a major SHC was independently associated with poor outcome at the 6-month follow-up (modified Rankin Scale score > 3). Blood thinning drug therapy prior to SAH was not associated with SHC risk.CONCLUSIONSSHCs present a rare sequela of SAH. Antiplatelet therapy during (but not before) SAH increases the risk of ventriculostomy-associated bleedings, but without further impact on the course and outcome of SAH. The use of thrombolytic agents for early effective anticoagulation carries relevant risk for major SHCs and poor outcome.

Post-treatment Antiplatelet Therapy Reduces Risk for Delayed Cerebral Ischemia due to Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Neurosurgery ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin Darkwah Oppong ◽  
Oliver Gembruch ◽  
Daniela Pierscianek ◽  
Martin Köhrmann ◽  
Christoph Kleinschnitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Delayed Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Minor Bleeding ◽  
Bleeding Events

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) has a strong impact on outcome of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Positive effect of antiplatelet therapy on DCI rates has been supposed upon smaller SAH series. OBJECTIVE To analyze the benefit/risk profile of antiplatelet use in SAH patients. METHODS This retrospective case–control study was based on institutional observational cohort with 994 SAH patients treated between January 2003 and June 2016. The individuals with postcoiling antiplatelet therapy (aspirin with/without clopidogrel) were compared to a control group without antiplatelet therapy. Occurrence of DCI, major/minor bleeding events in the follow-up computed tomography scans, and favorable outcome at 6 mo after SAH (modified Rankin scale < 3) were compared in both groups. RESULTS Of 580 patients in the final analysis, 329 patients received post-treatment antiplatelet medication. There were no significant differences between the compared groups with regard to basic outcome confounders. Aspirin use was independently associated with reduced DCI risk (P < .001, adjusted odds ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.65) and favorable outcome (P = .02, adjusted odds ratio = 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.98). Regarding bleeding complications, aspirin was associated only with minor bleeding events (P = .02 vs P = .51 for major bleeding events). CONCLUSION Regular administration of aspirin might have a positive impact on DCI risk and outcome of SAH patients, without increasing the risk for clinically relevant bleeding events. In our SAH cohort, dual antiplatelet therapy showed no additional benefit on DCI risk, but increased the likelihood of major bleeding events.

Risk of hemorrhagic complication associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients on dual antiplatelet therapy

2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 937-942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly B. Mahaney ◽  
Nohra Chalouhi ◽  
Stephanus Viljoen ◽  
Janel Smietana ◽  
David K. Kung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Acetylsalicylic Acid ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Intracranial Hemorrhages ◽  
Surgical Clipping ◽  
Vp Shunt ◽  
Hemorrhagic Complications ◽  
Clinically Significant

Object The use of an intracranial stent requires dual antiplatelet therapy to avoid in-stent thrombosis. In this study, the authors sought to investigate whether the use of dual antiplatelet therapy is a risk factor for hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing permanent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt for hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Methods Patients were given 325 mg acetylsalicylic acid and 600 mg clopidogrel during the coil/stent procedure, and they were maintained on dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid 325 mg daily and clopidogrel 75 mg daily during hospitalization and for 6 weeks posttreatment. Patients underwent placement of VP shunt at a later time during initial hospitalization, usually between 7 and 21 days following aSAH. Postoperative CT scans obtained in each study patient were reviewed for hemorrhages related to placement of the VP shunt. Results A total of 206 patients were admitted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with aSAH between July 2009 and October 2010. Thirty-seven of these patients were treated with a VP shunt for persistent hydrocephalus. Twelve patients (32%) had previously undergone stent-assisted coiling and were on dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. The remaining 25 patients (68%) had undergone surgical clipping or aneurysm coiling and were not receiving antiplatelet therapy at the time of surgery. Four cases (10.8%) of new intracranial hemorrhages associated with VP shunt placement were observed. All 4 hemorrhages (33%) occurred in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy for stent-assisted coiling. No new intracranial hemorrhages were observed in patients not receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. The difference in hemorrhagic complications between the 2 groups was statistically significant (4 [33%] of 12 vs 0 of 25, p = 0.0075]). All 4 hemorrhages occurred along the tract of the ventricular catheter. Only 1 hemorrhage (1 [8.3%] of 12) was clinically significant as it resulted in occlusion of the proximal shunt catheter and required revision of the VP shunt. The patient did not suffer any permanent morbidity related to the hemorrhage. The remaining 3 hemorrhages were not clinically significant. Conclusions This small clinical series suggests that placement of a VP shunt in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy may be associated with an increased, but low, rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. It appears that in patients who are poor candidates for open surgical clipping and have aneurysms amenable to stent-assisted coiling, the risk of symptomatic hemorrhage may be an acceptable trade-off for avoiding risks associated with discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy. The authors' results are preliminary, however, and require confirmation in larger studies.

PREDICTORS OF CEREBRAL INFARCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ANEURYSMAL SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

Neurosurgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 658-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherise Ferguson ◽  
R. Loch Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Cerebral Infarction ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Symptomatic Vasospasm ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
The Impact

Abstract OBJECTIVE Cerebral infarction would be expected to be associated with poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), although there are few data on which to base this assumption. The goals of this study were to determine the impact of cerebral infarction on outcome and to examine predictors of infarction in these patients. METHODS Univariate and multivariable statistical methods were used to examine the impact of cerebral infarction on the Glasgow Outcome Scale score 3 months after SAH among 3567 patients entered into four prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of tirilazad conducted in neurosurgical centers around the world between 1991 and 1997. Patient demographics, clinical variables, radiographic characteristics, and treatment variables associated with cerebral infarction were also determined by the same methods. RESULTS Seven hundred and seven (26%) out of 2741 patients with complete data had cerebral infarction on computed tomographic scans 6 weeks after SAH. Multivariable logistic regression showed that cerebral infarction increased the odds of unfavorable outcome by a factor of 5.4 (adjusted odds ratio, 5.4; 95% confidence interval, 4.2–6.8; P &lt; 0.0001), which was a higher odds ratio than all other factors associated with outcome. The proportion of explained variance in outcome was also highest for cerebral infarction and accounted for 39% of the explained variance. Multivariable analysis found that cerebral infarction was significantly associated with increasing patient age, worse neurological grade on admission, history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus, larger aneurysm, use of prophylactically or therapeutically induced hypertension, temperature more than 38°C 8 days after SAH, and symptomatic vasospasm. CONCLUSION Cerebral infarction was strongly associated with poor outcome after aneurysmal SAH. The most important potentially treatable factor associated with infarction was symptomatic vasospasm.

Clinical relevance of anterior cerebral artery asymmetry in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramazan Jabbarli ◽  
Matthias Reinhard ◽  
Roland Roelz ◽  
Klaus Kaier ◽  
Astrid Weyerbrock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Aneurysm Rupture ◽  
Unfavorable Outcome ◽  
Anterior Communicating Artery ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVEAn asymmetry of the A1 segments (A1SA) of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs) is an assumed risk factor for the development of anterior communicating artery aneurysms (ACoAAs). It is unknown whether A1SA is also clinically relevant after aneurysm rupture. The authors of this study investigated the impact of A1SA on the clinical course and outcome of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).METHODSThe authors retrospectively analyzed data on consecutive SAH patients treated at their institution between January 2005 and December 2012. The occurrence and severity of cerebral infarctions in the ACA territories were evaluated on follow-up CT scans up to 6 weeks after SAH. Moreover, the risk for an unfavorable outcome (defined as > 3 points on the modified Rankin Scale) at 6 months after SAH was assessed.RESULTSA total of 594 patients were included in the final analysis. An A1SA was identified on digital subtraction angiography studies from 127 patients (21.4%) and was strongly associated with ACoAA (p < 0.0001, OR 13.7). An A1SA independently correlated with the occurrence of ACA infarction in patients with ACoAA (p = 0.047) and in those without an ACoAA (p = 0.015). Among patients undergoing ACoAA coiling, A1SA was independently associated with the severity of ACA infarction (p = 0.023) and unfavorable functional outcome (p = 0.045, OR = 2.4).CONCLUSIONSAn A1SA is a common anatomical variation in SAH patients and is strongly associated with ACoAA. Moreover, the presence of A1SA independently increases the likelihood of ACA infarction. In SAH patients undergoing ACoAA coiling, A1SA carries the risk for severe ACA infarction and thus an unfavorable outcome.Clinical trial registration no.: DRKS00005486 (http://www.drks.de/)

scholarly journals Dual antiplatelet therapy in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: association with reduced risk of clinical vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia

2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 702-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasunori Nagahama ◽  
Lauren Allan ◽  
Daichi Nakagawa ◽  
Mario Zanaty ◽  
Robert M. Starke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Delayed Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hemorrhagic Complications ◽  
Flow Diverters

OBJECTIVEClinical vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) are devastating complications of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Several theories involving platelet activation have been postulated as potential explanations of the development of clinical vasospasm and DCI. However, the effects of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; aspirin and clopidogrel) on clinical vasospasm and DCI have not been previously investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of DAPT on clinical vasospasm and DCI in aSAH patients.METHODSAnalysis of patients treated for aSAH during the period from July 2009 to April 2014 was performed in a single-institution retrospective study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients who underwent stent-assisted coiling or placement of flow diverters requiring DAPT (DAPT group) and patients who underwent coiling only without DAPT (control group). The frequency of symptomatic clinical vasospasm and DCI and of hemorrhagic complications was compared between the 2 groups, utilizing univariate and multivariate logistic regression.RESULTSOf 312 aSAH patients considered for this study, 161 met the criteria for inclusion and were included in the analysis (85 patients in the DAPT group and 76 patients in the control group). The risks of clinical vasospasm (OR 0.244, CI 95% 0.097–0.615, p = 0.003) and DCI (OR 0.056, CI 95% 0.01–0.318, p = 0.001) were significantly lower in patients receiving DAPT. The rates of hemorrhagic complications associated with placement of external ventricular drains and ventriculoperitoneal shunts were similar in both groups (4% vs 2%, p = 0.9).CONCLUSIONSThe use of DAPT was associated with a lower risk of clinical vasospasm and DCI in patients treated for aSAH, without an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications.

Alanine Aminotransferase Predicts Outcomes in Elderly Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Zheng ◽  
Rui Xu ◽  
Zongduo Guo ◽  
Xiaochuan Sun
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
World Population ◽  
Systemic Complications ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Objective: With the aging of the world population, the number of elderly patients suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is gradually growing. We aim to investigate the potential association between plasma ALT level and clinical complications of elderly aSAH patients, and explore its predictive value for clinical outcomes of elderly aSAH patients. Methods: Between January 2013 and March 2018, 152 elderly aSAH patients were analyzed in this study. Clinical information, imaging findings and laboratory data were reviewed. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), clinical outcomes at 3 months were classified into favorable outcomes (GOS 4-5) and poor outcomes (GOS 1-3). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the indicators associated with poor outcomes, and receiver curves (ROC) and corresponding area under the curve (AUC) were used to detect the accuracy of the indicator. Results: A total of 48 (31.6 %) elderly patients with aSAH had poor outcome at 3 months. In addition to ICH, IVH, Hunt-Hess 4 or 5 Grade and Modified Fisher 3 or 4 Grade, plasma ALT level was also strongly associated with poor outcome of elderly aSAH patients. After adjusting for other covariates, plasma ALT level remained independently associated with pulmonary infection (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.00–1.09; P = 0.018), cardiac complications (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01–1.08; P = 0.014) and urinary infection (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00–1.08; P = 0.032). Besides, plasma ALT level had a predictive ability in the occurrence of systemic complications (AUC 0.676; 95% CI: 0.586– 0.766; P<0.001) and poor outcome (AUC 0.689; 95% CI: 0.605–0.773; P<0.001) in elderly aSAH patients. Conclusion: Plasma ALT level of elderly patients with aSAH was significantly associated with systemic complications, and had additional clinical value in predicting outcomes. Given that plasma ALT levels on admission could help to identify high-risk elderly patients with aSAH, these findings are of clinical relevance.

Effect of Cilostazol on Cerebral Vasospasm and Outcome in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoya Matsuda ◽  
Masato Naraoka ◽  
Hiroki Ohkuma ◽  
Norihito Shimamura ◽  
Katsuhiro Ito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Cerebral Infarction ◽  
Cerebral Vasospasm ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Independent Factor ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
End Points ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Poor Outcome

Background: Several clinical studies have indicated the efficacy of cilostazol, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3, in preventing cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). They were not double-blinded trial resulting in disunited results on assessment of end points among the studies. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the effectiveness of cilostazol on cerebral vasospasm. Methods: Patients with aneurysmal SAH admitted within 24 h after the ictus who met the following criteria were enrolled in this study: SAH on CT scan was diffuse thick, diffuse thin, or local thick, Hunt and Hess score was less than 4, administration of cilostazol or placebo could be started within 48 h of SAH. Patients were randomly allocated to placebo or cilostazol after repair of a ruptured saccular aneurysm by aneurysmal neck clipping or endovascular coiling, and the administration of cilostazol or placebo was continued up to 14 days after initiation of treatment. The primary end point was the occurrence of symptomatic vasospasm (sVS), and secondary end points were angiographic vasospasm (aVS) evaluated on digital subtraction angiography, vasospasm-related new cerebral infarction evaluated on CT scan or MRI, and clinical outcome at 3 months of SAH as assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale, in which poor outcome was defined as severe disability, vegetative state, and death. All end points were evaluated with blinded assessment. Results: One hundred forty eight patients were randomly allocated to the cilostazol group (n = 74) or the control group (n = 74). The occurrence of sVS was significantly lower in the cilostazol group than in the control group (10.8 vs. 24.3%, p = 0.031), and multiple logistic analysis showed that cilostazol use was an independent factor reducing sVS (OR 0.293, 95% CI 0.099-0.568, p = 0.027). The incidence of aVS and vasospasm-related cerebral infarction were not significantly different between the groups. Poor outcome was significantly lower in the cilostazol group than in the control group (5.4 vs. 17.6%, p = 0.011), and multiple logistic analyses demonstrated that cilostazol use was an independent factor that reduced the incidence of poor outcome (OR 0.221, 95% CI 0.054-0.903, p = 0.035). Severe adverse events due to cilostazol administration did not occur during the study period. Conclusions: Cilostazol administration is effective in preventing sVS and improving outcomes without severe adverse events. A larger-scale study including more cases was necessary to confirm this efficacy of cilostazol.

scholarly journals Effects of post-interventional antiplatelet therapy on angiographic vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia, and clinical outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a single-center experience

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Ditz ◽  
Björn Machner ◽  
Hannes Schacht ◽  
Alexander Neumann ◽  
Peter Schramm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Delayed Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lesion Volume ◽  
Single Center ◽  
Single Center Experience

AbstractPlatelet activation has been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The aim of this study was to investigate potentially beneficial effects of antiplatelet therapy (APT) on angiographic CVS, DCI-related infarction and functional outcome in endovascularly treated aSAH patients. Retrospective single-center analysis of aSAH patients treated by endovascular aneurysm obliteration. Based on the post-interventional medical regime, patients were assigned to either an APT group or a control group not receiving APT. A subgroup analysis separately investigated those APT patients with aspirin monotherapy (MAPT) and those receiving dual treatment (aspirin plus clopidogrel, DAPT). Clinical and radiological characteristics were compared between groups. Possible predictors for angiographic CVS, DCI-related infarction, and an unfavorable functional outcome (modified Rankin scale ≥ 3) were analyzed. Of 160 patients, 85 (53%) had received APT (n = 29 MAPT, n = 56 DAPT). APT was independently associated with a lower incidence of an unfavorable functional outcome (OR 0.40 [0.19–0.87], P = 0.021) after 3 months. APT did not reduce the incidence of angiographic CVS or DCI-related infarction. The pattern of angiographic CVS or DCI-related infarction as well as the rate of intracranial hemorrhage did not differ between groups. However, the lesion volume of DCI-related infarctions was significantly reduced in the DAPT subgroup (P = 0.011). Post-interventional APT in endovascularly treated aSAH patients is associated with better functional outcome at 3 months. The beneficial effect of APT might be mediated by reduction of the size of DCI-related infarctions.

Plasma glucose levels and outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 885-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
Neal F. Kassell ◽  
Teresa Germanson ◽  
Laura Truskowski ◽  
Wayne Alves
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Delayed Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Good Recovery ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Elevated Glucose ◽  
Mean Glucose

✓ Plasma glucose levels were studied in 616 patients admitted within 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Glucose levels measured at admission showed a statistically significant association with Glasgow Coma Scale scores, Botterell grade, deposition of blood on computerized tomography (CT) scans, and level of consciousness at admission. Elevated glucose levels at admission predicted poor outcome. A good recovery, as assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale at 3 months, occurred in 70.2% of patients with normal glucose levels (≤ 120 mg/dl) and in 53.7% of patients with hyperglycemia (> 120 mg/dl) (p = 0.002). The death rates for these two groups were 6.7% and 19.9%, respectively (p = 0.001). The association was still maintained after adjusting for age (> or ≤ 50 years) and thickness of clot on CT scans (thin or thick) in the subset of patients who were alert/drowsy at admission. Increased mean glucose levels between Days 3 and 7 also predicted a worse outcome; good recovery was observed in 132 (73.7%) of 179 patients who had normal mean glucose levels (≤ 120 mg/dl) and 160 (49.7%) of 322 who had elevated mean glucose levels (> 120 mg/dl) (p < 0.0001). Death occurred in 6.7% and 20.8% of the two groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). It is concluded that admission plasma glucose levels can serve as an objective prognostic indicator after SAH. Elevated glucose levels during the 1st week after SAH also predict a poor outcome. However, a causal link between hyperglycemia and outcome after delayed cerebral ischemia, although suggested by experimental data, cannot be established on the basis of this study.

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