Impact of Medical and Neurologic Complications on the Outcome of Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Middle-Income Country

Abstract

Objective: Almost two thirds of the world's aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are in low- and middle-income countries. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the impact of complications on the outcome of aSAH in a middle-income country.

Methods: Baseline data (age, sex, World Federation of Neurosurgical Society, time ictus-treatment, treatment modality) and medical and neurologic complications from a cohort in Brazil (2016-2019) were evaluated: delayed cerebral ischemia; hydrocephalus; meningitis; seizures; intracranial hypertension; infections (pneumonia, bloodstream, urinary tract infection infection of undetermined source); sodium disturbances; acute kidney injury; and cardiac and pulmonary complications. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at hospital discharge. Univariate and multivariate models were employed.

Results: From 212 patients (71.7% female, age 52.7 ± 12.8), 92% developed at least 1 complication (any infection-43.9%, hydrocephalus-34.4%, intracranial hypertension-33%, infection of undetermined source-20.8%, hypernatremia-20.8%, hyponatremia-19.8%, delayed cerebral ischemia-related infarction-18.7%, pneumonia-18.4%, acute kidney injury-16.5%, and seizures-11.8%). In unadjusted analysis, all but hyponatremia and urinary tract infection were associated with mRS 3-6 at discharge; however, complications explained only 12% of the variation in functional outcome (mRS). Most patients were treated by clipping (66.5%), and 15.6% (33 patients) did not receive a definitive treatment. The median time ictus-admission and ictus-treatment were 5 and 9 days, respectively.

Conclusions: While medical and neurologic complications are a recognized opportunity to improve aSAH care, low- and middle-income countries comprise 70% of the world population and still encounter difficulties concerning early definitive aneurysm treatment, rebleeding, and human and material resources.

Keywords: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; Delayed cerebral ischemia; Medical complications; Neurologic complications; Poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage; VASOGRADE.