RESUMO
Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is frequently associated with complications, extended hospital length of stay (LOS) and high health care related costs. We sought to determine predictors for hospital LOS and discharge disposition to a long-term care facility (LTCF) in aSAH patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of a prospectively collected cohort of consecutive patients with aSAH admitted to an academic referral center from 2016 to 2021. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify predictors for hospital LOS. We then created a 10-point scoring system to predict discharge disposition to a LTCF. Results: In a cohort of 318 patients with confirmed aSAH, mean age was 57 years (SD 13.7), 61% were female and 70% were white. Hospital LOS was longer for survivors (median 19 days, IQR 14-25) than for non-survivors (median 5 days, IQR 2-8; p < 0.001). Main predictors for longer LOS for this cohort were ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) requirement (p < 0.001), delayed cerebral ischemia (p = 0.026), and pneumonia (p = 0.014). The strongest predictor for LTCF disposition was age older than 60 years (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21; p < 0.001). LTCF score had high accuracy in predicting discharge disposition to a LTCF (area under the curve [AUC] 0.83; 95% CI 0.75-0.91). Forty-one percent of patients who were discharged to a LTCF had significant functional recovery at 3 months post-discharge. Conclusions: VPS requirement and aSAH related complications were associated with longer hospital LOS compared to other factors. LTCF score has high accuracy in predicting discharge disposition to a LTCF.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Disturbances in serum sodium concentration (dysnatremia) are common following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), but its direct impact on outcomes is not well understood. This study aimed to examine the association between dysnatremia following aSAH and patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with aSAH who were admitted to an academic referral center between 2015 and 2021 was performed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the association of dysnatremia and outcomes including modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months after discharge and vasospasm. Multiple linear regression was used to test the association of hospital length of stay and dysnatremia. RESULTS: We included 320 patients with confirmed aneurysmal etiology (mean [SD] age = 57.8 [14.3] years; 61% female; 70% White). No independent associations were found between hyponatremia or hypernatremia and functional outcome or vasospasm. However, hospital length of stay was longer in patients with hypernatremia (7 more days; 95% confidence interval = 4.4-9.6, P < 0.001) independent of age, Hunt and Hess grade, modified Fisher score, delayed cerebral ischemia, and other hospital complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although dysnatremia may not directly impact functional outcome or vasospasm risk, hypernatremia may prolong hospital length of stay. Judicious use of hypertonic saline solutions and avoidance of unnecessary dysnatremia in patients with aSAH should be considered.
