Early predictors of outcome in patients receiving hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy for symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objective: Symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with a high incidence of permanent disability and death. For early identification of patients who are at risk for poor outcome, we determined the predictors of outcome in patients with symptomatic vasospasm after SAH. Design: We retrospectively determined the prognostic value of clinical characteristics and computed tomographic scan both at admission and at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy. Settings: Neurosciences critical care unit at a University hospital. Patients: A total of 70 consecutive patients who developed symptomatic vasospasm after SAH. Intervention: Treatment with oral nimodipine, hypervolemic therapy, and hypertensive therapy. Angioplasty and intra-arterial papaverine were used in patients with vasospasm resistant to standard treatment. Measurements and Main Results: Poor outcome, defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale Score of 3-5 at 2 months or discharge, was observed in 32 (46%) patients. In the logistic regression analysis, a Glasgow Coma Scare (GCS) score of less than or equal to 11 (odds ratio, 11.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.6-39.3) and hydrocephalus (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence Interval, 1.2-18.2) at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy were significantly associated with poor outcome. Poor outcome was observed in 91% of the patients who had both a GCS score of less than or equal to 11 and hydrocephalus compared with 15% of patients with a GCS score of >11 and no hydrocephalus at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy, a GCS score of less than or equal to 11 was also independently associated with length of intensive care unit stay (F ratio = 18.0; p = .0011) and hospital stay (F ratio = 9.2; p = .0034) after initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that outcome in patients with symptomatic vasospasm can be effectively predicted by routinely available information, including GCS scare at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy. This information can be used for selection and stratification of patients in future treatment studies of patients with symptomatic vasospasm.