C-reactive protein and vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage1

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between C reactive protein levels and clinical and radiological parameters with delayed ischemic neurological deficits and outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: One hundred adult patients with aneurismal SAH were prospectively evaluated. Besides the baseline characteristics, daily C-reactive protein levels were prospectively measured until day 10 after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The primary end point was outcome assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale, the secondary was the occurrence of delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DINDs). RESULTS: A progressive increase in the CRP levels from the admission to 3rd postictal day was observed, followed by a slow decrease until the 9th day. Hemodynamic changes in TCD were associated with higher serum CRP levels. Patients with lower GCS scores presented with increased CRP levels. Patients with higher Hunt and Hess grades on admission developed significantly higher CRP serum levels. Patients with higher admission Fisher grades showed increased levels of CRP. A statistically significant inverse correlation was established in our series between CRP serum levels and GOS on discharge and CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: Higher C-reactive protein serum levels are associated with worse clinical outcome and the occurrence of delayed ischemic neurological deficits. Because C-reactive protein levels were significantly elevated in the early phase, they might be a useful parameter to monitor. .

Serum C-reactive protein levels predict neurological outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage / O nível sérico da proteína C-reativa como fator preditivo do prognóstico neurológico após hemorragia subaracnóidea aneurismática

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the neurological prognosis and development of vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: Eighty-two adult patients with aSAH diagnoses were prospectively evaluated. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, cranial CT scans, digital subtraction angiography studies and daily neurological examinations were recorded. Serial serum CRP measurements were obtained daily between admission and the tenth day. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to assess the prognosis. RESULTS: Serum CRP levels were related to severity of aSAH. Patients with lower GCS scores and higher Hunt and Hess and Fisher grades presented statistically significant higher serum CRP levels. Patients with higher serum CRP levels had a less favorable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum CRP levels were strongly associated with worse clinical prognosis in this study.

OBJETIVOS: Nosso propósito foi avaliar a relação entre os níveis séricos de proteína C-reativa (PCR), o prognóstico neurológico e o desenvolvimento de vasoespasmo em pacientes com hemorragia subaracnóidea aneurismática (HSAa). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados prospectivamente 82 pacientes adultos com diagnóstico de HSAa. Foram anotados em prontuário: a escala de coma de Glasgow (ECG), a escala de Hunt-Hess, a escala de Fisher, TC de crânio, angiografia cerebral e o exame neurológico diário. Foi determinada diariamente a PCR sérica, da admissão ao décimo dia. Foi utilizadas a escala de resultados de Glasgow e a escala de Rankin modificada (mRS) para avaliar o prognóstico. RESULTADOS: Os níveis séricos de PCR estavam relacionados à severidade da HSAa. Pacientes com EGC baixos e altos graus pelas escalas de Hunt-Hess e Fisher tiveram níveis de PCR séricos estatisticamente elevados. Pacientes com altos níveis de PCR séricos tiveram prognóstico menos favorável. CONCLUSÕES: Aumentos dos níveis séricos da PCR foram fortemente associados com pior prognóstico clínico neste estudo.

Hyponatremia and cerebrovascular spasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia develops in approximately a third of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Studies have been conflicting about the association between hyponatremia and cerebrovascular spasm (CVS). AIMS: To investigate whether hyponatremia can signal the onset of CVS. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of all patients with SAH treated at a tertiary-care university hospital from January to May 2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 106 patients were included in the study. Serum sodium levels were recorded from days 1 to 14 of hospitalization. Hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium level<135 meq/l and a fall in sodium level of >4 meq/l from the admission sodium level. The presence of CVS was determined by transcranial doppler sonography. Patients were assigned to one of four groups based on the presence or absence of CVS and hyponatremia. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's t-test was used for comparison of means. A logistical regression model was constructed and odds ratios (OR) were calculated. RESULTS: 41 patients developed hyponatremia and 44 developed CVS. Among the 41 with hyponatremia, 22 (54%) had evidence of CVS, whereas among the 65 patients without hyponatremia, 22 (34%) had evidence of CVS (P=0.023). Among those with hyponatremia, the mean sodium drop was 7.9 meq/L in those with CVS compared to 7.0 meq/L in those without CVS (P=0.068). More than half of those with hyponatremia and CVS (13/22) developed hyponatremia at least a day before CVS was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: In patients with SAH, hyponatremia is associated with a significantly greater risk of developing CVS and may precede CVS by at least one day.