Keywords
aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage - comorbidities - hypertension - smoking - Glasgow
Outcome Scale
Introduction
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating cerebrovascular condition
distinguished by the extravasation of blood into the subarachnoid space in the setting
of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. It had an annual incidence of 6.1 per 100,000 population
in 2010 and has continued to decline annually by 1.7%.[1] Although the incidence of aSAH in India remains largely unknown, nonetheless, an
autopsy study had documented the mean incidence of aneurysms in the Indian population
to be 1%.[2]
The presence of comorbidities can have a direct or indirect contribution to the formation,
progression, and course of the disease. Diseases such as hypertension (HTN), smoking,
and diabetes mellitus (DM) may disrupt the balance between local hemodynamic stress
and the strength of cerebral vessels at a molecular level and can contribute to its
formation or rupture. The impact of comorbidities on the neurological outcome has
shown variable and contradictory results. Avdagic et al, in their prospective observational
study on 50 patients with aSAH, demonstrated a higher frequency of negative neurological
outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] 1–3) in patients with HTN.[3] Smoking is associated with decreased odds of poor outcomes.[4] However, the relationship of type 2 DM with aSAH still remains uncertain.[5]
With the background of existing literature, we hypothesized that the presence of comorbidities
in a patient with aSAH will influence the course of the disease and thereby the neurological
outcome of patients. Hence, the present study was conducted to observe the impact
of comorbidities on perioperative complications and neurological outcome of patients
who were managed surgically or by endovascular coiling after aSAH.
Materials and Methods
This prospective observational study was performed in a tertiary care institute in
India from November 2016 to October 2017 in adult patients (20–65 years of age) of
both sexes scheduled for surgical clipping or endovascular coiling of cerebral aneurysm
within 3 days of ictus. Patients with preexisting clinical and/or radiological evidence
of hydrocephalus or vasospasm and those with preexisting intellectual disability were
excluded from the study. Ethical clearance was received from the Institute Ethics
Committee and written informed consent was taken from all the patients or their relatives.
The demographic, clinical, and radiological data of the patients were noted. It included
the age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at admission, Hunt and Hess scale (H and
H), World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade, Fisher grade, the size,
and site of the aneurysm. Various comorbid illnesses reported were also recorded.
All the patients received either balanced inhalational or total intravenous anesthesia
as per institutional protocol. In addition, all patients received 0.5 to 1 g/kg mannitol
at the time of skin incision. Intraoperative complications such as hypotension, HTN,
arrhythmias, and brain bulge were recorded. Temporary clipping time, intraoperative
rupture, and blood loss were also recorded. Hypotension was defined as a fall in the
mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 30% of the baseline preoperative value, sustained for > 5 minutes.
This was managed with administration of crystalloid and/or blood based on blood loss
assessment and arterial blood gas analysis; followed by noradrenaline infusion, if
the blood pressure was unresponsive to fluid administration/blood transfusion. HTN
was defined as MAP > 30% of baseline preoperative value sustained for > 5 minutes
and was managed with increasing the depth of anesthesia and analgesia, and/or by administration
of a β-blocker.
The patients were followed up in the postoperative period in neurosurgical intensive
care unit (NICU). Various postoperative complications including delayed cerebral ischemia,
cerebral infarction, hydrocephalus, rebleed, pneumonia, and renal dysfunction were
noted. Delayed cerebral ischemia was defined as the occurrence of fresh neurological
deficit or a decrease of at least two points on the GCS which persisted for at least
1 hour, not apparent immediately after aneurysm occlusion, and could not be attributed
to other causes including pharmacological sedation, hydrocephalus, seizures, and dislodgement
of permanent clip. Hydrocephalus was diagnosed based on ventricular dilatation on
noncontrast computer tomography (CT) of the head. Rebleeding was diagnosed based on
the acute deterioration of neurological status accompanied by the appearance of new
hemorrhage on head CT. Patients with a higher WFNS grade of subarachnoid hemorrhage
(SAH), prolonged clipping time (more than 10 minutes), intraoperative aneurysm rupture
with hemodynamic instability, grade 3 and 4 brain bulge, or massive blood loss, were
electively ventilated postoperatively.[6] The total duration of postoperative ventilation, NICU stay and hospital stay, and
the incidence of in-hospital mortality were recorded.
Following discharge, the patients were followed up telephonically a month later for
assessment of the neurological outcome using the GOS.[7] Outcome was defined as a dichotomous variable (i.e., favorable outcome: GOS = 4–5,
unfavorable outcome: GOS = 1–3).
Statistical Analysis
Quantitative data such as age, GCS, GOS, H and H, and WFNS grades are presented in
descriptive form as either mean (±standard deviation), or median (±interquartile range
[IQR]) if customarily distributed and skewed variables, respectively. The normalcy
of quantitative data was checked using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. For normally distributed
quantitative data, means were compared using unpaired Student's “t” test for two groups. For skewed data, Mann–Whitney test was applied. A paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, whichever appropriate, was applied to compare
the follow-up means or median, respectively. Qualitative or categorical variables
such as sex, Fisher grade, comorbidities, type of procedure, and mortality causes
were described as frequencies and proportions. Proportions were compared using chi-square
or Fisher's exact test, whichever applicable. Univariate analysis followed by multiple
logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables predicting poor outcome,
taking into consideration those variables which were significant in univariate analysis.
These variables were selected based on clinical impression and previous research.[3]
[8] The number of patients who underwent coiling was much lesser than the patients who
underwent clipping. As a result, the analysis was performed grouping the patients
undergoing clipping and coiling together. All tests were two-tailed with a 95% confidence
interval (CI) and a level of significance of 5% (p < 0.05). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22 and Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results
A total of 150 patients with aSAH were enrolled in the study. However, 140 patients
were analyzed ([Fig. 1]).
Fig. 1 CONSORT diagram.
Baseline Data
One hundred and twenty-two (87.1%) patients underwent surgical clipping and 18 (12.9%)
endovascular coiling. The baseline demographic, radiological, and clinical characteristics
of patients are described in [Table 1]. The median WFNS grade of the cohort was 2 with an IQR of 1 to 2, suggestive of
good grade patients. The H & H grade and modified Fisher grade values are described
in [Table 1].
Table 1
Baseline demographic, radiological, and clinical characteristics
|
Parameter
|
Clipping
n = 122
|
Coiling
n = 18
|
|
Sex (male/female)
|
41/81
|
5/13
|
|
Age (y)
|
50.96 ± 11.8
|
50.17 ± 12.1
|
|
GCS at admission
|
15 (14–15)
|
14 (9–15)
|
|
H & H
|
2 (2–3)
|
2 (2–4)
|
|
WFNS
|
2 (1–2)
|
2 (1–4)
|
|
Modified Fisher grade
|
3 (3–4)
|
3 (2–4)
|
|
Size of aneurysm (small/large/giant)
|
115/7/0
|
16/0/2
|
|
Site (with single aneurysm) (ACOM/MCA/ICA/ACA/PCOM/DACA/PICA/Basilar)
|
39/33/11/8/6/5/2/1
|
5/4/5/0/0/0/0/1
|
|
Number of aneurysms (2/> 2)
|
11/8
|
1/0
|
Abbreviations: ACA, anterior cerebral artery; ACOM, anterior communicating artery;
DACA, distal anterior cerebral artery; H & H, Hunt & Hess; GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale;
ICA, internal carotid artery; MCA, middle cerebral artery; PCOM, posterior communicating
artery; PICA, posterior inferior cerebellar artery; WFNS, World Federation of Neurosurgeons.
Note: Data are presented as number or percentage, mean ± standard deviation or median
(Interquartile range). N (%), number or percentage of patients.
Out of the total 140 patients analyzed, 47 (33.6%) had no comorbidities while 93 (66.4%)
had at least one comorbidity. Among these 93 patients, 49 (52.6%) had more than one
comorbidity. The two most common comorbidities noted were HTN (64 [45.7%]) and smoking
(30 [21.4%]). The frequency distribution of various other comorbidities is shown in
[Table 2].
Table 2
Distribution of comorbidities
|
Comorbidity
|
Total
n = 140
|
Clipping
n = 122
|
Coiling
n = 18
|
|
Hypertension
|
64 (45.7%)
|
57 (46.7%)
|
7 (38.8%)
|
|
Smoking
|
30 (21.4%)
|
26 (21.3%)
|
4 (22.2%)
|
|
Alcohol intake
|
21 (15%)
|
18 (14.7%)
|
3 (16.7%)
|
|
Diabetes mellitus
|
13 (9.3%)
|
10 (8.1%)
|
3 (16.7%)
|
|
Hypothyroidism
|
9 (6.4%)
|
8 (6.5%)
|
1 (5.6%)
|
|
Connective tissue disorders
|
5 (3.6%)
|
3 (2.4%)
|
2 (11.1%)
|
|
Coronary artery disease
|
5 (3.6%)
|
3 (2.4%)
|
2 (11.1%)
|
|
Asthma
|
3 (2.1%)
|
3 (2.4%)
|
0
|
|
Others
|
15 (10.7%)
|
12 (9.8%)
|
3 (16.7%)
|
Note: Data are represented as number or percentage. Some patients had more than one
comorbid condition.
Intraoperative Data
Five patients (3.57%) had HTN, whereas 17 patients (14%) suffered hypotension. Of
the 17 patients with hypotension, none was from intraoperative aneurysm rupture, while
8 out of the 17 patients responded to boluses of crystalloid, 9 required blood transfusion,
and none of them needed inotropes. The average temporary clipping time was 7.91 ± 8.25 minutes.
Intraoperative rupture (IOR) of an aneurysm occurred in 53 (42.5%) patients during
aneurysm clipping. However, there was no hemodynamic instability during and following
IOR in any patient ([Table 3]).
Table 3
Intraoperative and postoperative events
|
Parameter
|
Clipping
N (%)/median (IQR)
|
Coiling
N (%)/median (IQR)
|
|
Hypertension
|
3 (2.5)
|
2 (11.1)
|
|
Hypotension
|
17 (14)
|
0
|
|
Intraoperative aneurysm rupture
|
53 (42.7)
|
–
|
|
Brain bulge
|
25 (20)
|
–
|
|
Temporary clipping time (min)
|
7.9 ± 8.25
|
–
|
|
Blood loss (mL)
|
305.4 ± 285
|
77.8 ± 37.3
|
|
Vasospasm
|
63 (51.6)
|
9 (50)
|
|
Cerebral infarction
|
33 (27)
|
0
|
|
Hydrocephalus
|
19 (15.6)
|
4 (22.2)
|
|
Rebleed
|
18 (14.8)
|
3 (16.7)
|
|
Pneumonia
|
14 (11.5)
|
1 (5.6)
|
|
Renal dysfunction
|
3 (2.5)
|
0
|
|
Tracheostomy
|
58 (47.55)
|
7 (38.89)
|
|
Mechanical ventilation (d)
|
4 (2–10)
|
1 (1–7)
|
|
Duration of ICU stay (d)
|
7 (5–15)
|
4 (4–10)
|
|
Duration of hospital stay (d)
|
15 (10–20)
|
10 (7–16)
|
Abbreviations: ICU, intensive care unit; IQR, interquartile range.
Note: Data are presented as number (percentage) or median (interquartile range).
Postoperative Course
During the postoperative period 90 (64.3%) patients developed some complications until
discharge to home. The most frequent complication encountered was delayed cerebral
ischemia, which occurred in 72 (51.4%) patients, out of which 33 (45.8%) patients
subsequently developed cerebral infarct. Other complications recorded have been described
in [Table 3]. The median number of ventilation days, intensive care unit days, and duration of
hospital stay were 4 (3.5–6), 7 (5–15), and 10 (8–14), respectively. In view of poor
GCS and anticipated poor neurological outcome 65 (46.4%) patients required tracheostomy
in the postoperative period ([Table 3]). The overall in-hospital mortality was 13.5% (19) in our study population. The
median duration of hospital stay for the survivors was 15 days, ranging from 5 to
44 days.
Follow-Up Outcome
The median GOS score was 4 with an IQR of 2 to 4. The overall frequencies of different
GOS score is shown in [Fig. 2]. It was found that the majority of patients had a GOS score of ⅘ (32.8%/21.4%).
The mortality at 30 days among those with any comorbidity was 18.3%, while it was
12.7% among the patients who did not have any comorbidity. Among the patients without
comorbidity, complications in decreasing order of frequency were: vasospasm – 13 (27.7%),
rebleed – 8 (17%), hydrocephalus – 4 (8.5%), cerebral infarct – 3 (6.4%), sepsis –
3 (6.4%), and renal dysfunction – 1 (2.1%).
Fig. 2 Follow-up Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS).
Overall, patients with comorbidities were more likely to have a poor outcome (GOS
1–3) with odds ratio (OR) of 3.2, in comparison with patients without any comorbidity.
Following univariate analysis of different comorbidities, clinical and radiological
factors to assess the effect on the outcome in aSAH, it was observed that smoking,
HTN, and coronary artery disease (CAD) were associated with poor outcome with an OR
of 4.45 (1.81–10.9), 2.81 (1.41–5.59), and 14.14 (0.77–260.87), respectively ([Table 4]). Further, multivariate regression analysis showed that smoking and HTN were independently
associated with poor outcome with an adjusted OR of 4.63 (1.83–11.7) and 2.92 (1.41–6.01),
respectively. In our study cohort, hypertensive patients were found to have higher
odds of cerebral infarct with an OR of 2.2 (1–4.8). Smokers, on the other hand, had
higher odds of a rebleed with an OR of 4.5 (1.68–12).
Table 4
Predictors of a poor outcome following aSAH
|
Variable
|
Univariate
Odds ratio (95% CI)
|
p-Value
|
Multivariate
Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)
|
|
Age
|
0.50 (0.20–0.33)
|
0.629
|
–
|
|
Admission GCS
|
2.86 (0.53–1.96)
|
0.001[a]
|
–
|
|
H & H
|
7.24 (1.38–5.61)
|
0.001[a]
|
–
|
|
WFNS
|
5.91 (1.16–5.34)
|
0.002[a]
|
–
|
|
Fisher
|
8.26 (1.91–22.7)
|
0.021[a]
|
–
|
|
Smoking
|
4.45 (1.81–10.9)
|
0.001[a]
|
4.63 (1.83–11.7)
|
|
Hypertension
|
2.81 (1.41–5.59)
|
0.003[a]
|
2.92 (1.41–6.01)
|
|
Alcohol intake
|
2.16 (0.8–5.61)
|
0.106
|
–
|
|
Diabetes
|
1.01 (0.32–3.2)
|
0.973
|
–
|
|
Hypothyroidism
|
1.52 (0.39–5.93)
|
0.609
|
–
|
|
Connective tissue disease
|
0.78 (0.12–4.84)
|
0.794
|
–
|
|
Coronary artery disease
|
14.14 (0.77–260.87)
|
0.013[a]
|
–
|
|
Asthma
|
0.58 (0.052–6.63)
|
0.663
|
–
|
Abbreviations: aSAH, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; CI, confidence interval;
GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; H & H, Hunt & Hess; WFNS, World Federation of Neurosurgeons.
a
p-Value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Discussion
A gamut of congenital and acquired illnesses and risk factors are commonly associated
with SAH. Among the acquired ones, HTN and cigarette smoking have been identified
as the most common modifiable risk factors.[9] HTN (45.7%), followed by smoking (21.4%) were most common associated comorbidities
with aSAH patients in the present study.
Presence of comorbidities has been shown to influence the neurological outcome following
aneurysmal clipping and after endovascular coiling. In the present study, it was observed
that HTN increases the odds of a worse outcome at 1 month following discharge. Jaja
et al too in a meta-analysis concluded that premorbid HTN is a weak, yet independent
predictor of poor outcome.[10] Thus, our observations are in consonance with the findings of these various previous
studies.
Chronic HTN induces hypertrophy of arteriolar smooth muscle, leading to rightward
shift of the cerebral autoregulation curve. The associated arterial narrowing renders
these patients more vulnerable to cerebral ischemia/infarction after aSAH in the postoperative
period. The same has been demonstrated in the present study and is consistent with
the reports by Juvela et al and Jaja et al.[10]
[11]
[12] The higher odds of postoperative cerebral infarction may explain the worse neurological
outcome among hypertensive patients. A recent retrospective cohort study which included
1,275 aSAH patients and conducted over a period of 13 years, also reported HTN as
a significant predictor of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality.[13]
In contrast to the previous studies and the results of the present study, Hammer et
al observed HTN as a predictor of good clinical outcome.[14] The variable effect of HTN in different ethnic groups could be due to the role of
genetics, differences in dietary and cooking habits, environmental exposure, and type
of initial treatment received.[15]
[16]
Rinkel et al found that patients on anticoagulant therapy following myocardial ischemia,
CAD, atrial fibrillation, and valve prosthesis, etc. were associated with unfavorable
outcomes following aSAH.[17] In our study, CAD was statistically significant upon univariate analysis. However,
since the number of patients with CAD was less (n = 3), this could be an incidental finding. Therefore, greater number of patients
with CAD could substantiate the above finding.
Different studies on effect of smoking in aSAH patients have produced diverse results,
ranging from good outcome to poor outcome/death.[4]
[14]
[18]
[19]
[20] Our study showed that smoking was associated with poor outcome in this patient population.
Enhanced systemic coagulation, inflammation within the arterial wall, endothelial
dysfunction, and elastin degradation, in smokers, might contribute to a poor outcome,[19] while neuroprotection secondary to anti-inflammatory and neurogenic vasodilatory
effects mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on intracranial vessels could
explain the above findings.[20] In contrast to the previous studies and the results of the present study, Hammer
et al in the monoethnic German population reported an association of smoking with
a good outcome.[14] Differences in the ethnicity of populations, presence of risk factors, environmental,
socioeconomic differentiation, and cultural variations may also account for the heterogeneity
in the results obtained.[21]
Chronic alcoholic intake too has been proven to be a risk factor for the development
of aneurysm secondary to its effect on blood pressure, platelet function/clotting
factors, and alterations in cerebral blood flow.[22]
[23]
[24] Worse outcome has been documented as a result of significant rebleeding and delayed
ischemia in patients who had history of heavy alcohol intake.[25] However, probably our patients were not heavy consumers of alcohol, therefore history
of alcohol intake was not associated with poor GOS at a 1-month follow-up. Similar
findings were also noted by Sodhi et al.[8]
DM did not lead to worse outcome in our study as was also observed by Sodhi et al.[8] However, outcome following aSAH in a diabetic might depend upon duration and extent
of control of DM. A previous meta-analysis of 17 studies which included 4,095 patients,
showed that hyperglycemia was associated with higher odds of poor outcome (OR 3.1,
95% CI 2.3–4.3).[26] Hyperglycemia upholds secondary brain injury by promoting an oxidative state, enhancing
matrix metalloproteinase activity, intravascular coagulation abnormalities, and metabolic
dysfunction.[27]
[28]
[29] In addition, hyperglycemia aggravates brain edema, culminating in neuronal cell
death, thus contributing to a worse neurological outcome.[30]
Avdagic et al too showed that nondiabetic patients have a better outcome than those
with diabetes.[3] However, only 2% patients had DM in their study which makes interpretation difficult.
Hypothyroidism has been associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction due to impaired
metabolism, abnormal mucopolysaccharide deposition in vessel walls, and aneurysm formation.
Atchaneeyasakul et al suggested that hypothyroidism was independently associated with
unruptured cerebral aneurysms.[31] However, its association with outcome is not yet studied. However, with very small
number of hypothyroid patients in the present study, it will not be prudent to draw
any conclusion from our study.
Different studies have demonstrated an association between connective tissue disorders
like autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and Marfan's disease, with the risk
of developing aneurysms. However, the association between connective tissue disorders
with outcomes in aSAH patients has not been demonstrated.
Our study has several limitations. First, an intervention was performed in good-grade
patients as is the standard of care in most neurosurgical centers. Thus limiting the
generalization of results to all grades of aSAH. Second, there was a lack of a sufficient
number of patients with specific comorbidities such as CAD, asthma, connective tissue
disorders, and hypothyroidism. Third, recreational drug or ghutka abuse was not considered.
Fourth, the inability to stratify the various comorbidities based on the severity
and duration limits our ability to determine how the severity of the disease may affect
the outcome. Similarly, the lack of quantification of smoking in terms of number of
cigarettes smoked per day, and alcohol intake in terms of amount and years of consumption,
could have influenced the results. Further studies with large number of patients with
other comorbidities (connective tissue disease, hypothyroidism, and consumption of
recreational drugs), are recommended.
Conclusions
The existence of comorbidities might influence the perioperative complications which
can lead to a negative impact on the long-term neurological status despite successful
surgical or endovascular intervention. Smoking and HTN are associated with poor neurological
outcome in the current study.