Trends in incidence and treatments of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage- a 10 year hospital based study.

BACKGROUND: Improved endovascular methods make it possible to treat complex ruptured aneurysms, but surgery is still needed in certain cases. We evaluated the effects on the clinical results of the changes in aneurysm treatment. METHODS: The study cohort was 837 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and one or multiple aneurysms, admitted to Dept of Neurosurgery, Uppsala University Hospital from 2012 to 2021. Demography, location and treatment of aneurysms, neurologic condition at admission and discharge, mortality and last tier treatment of high intracranial pressure (ICP) was evaluated. Functional outcome was measured using the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) Data concerning national incidences of stroke diseases was collected from open Swedish databases. RESULTS: Endovascular methods were used in 666 cases (79.6%). In 111 (13.3%) with stents. Surgery was performed in 115 cases (13.7%) and 56 patients (6.7%) had no aneurysm treatment. The indications for surgery were a hematoma (51 cases, 44.3%), endovascular treatment not considered safe (47 cases, 40.9%), or had been attempted without success (13 cases, 11.3%). Treatment with stent devices increased, and with surgery decreased over time. There was a trend in decrease in hemicraniectomias over time. Both the patient group admitted awake (n = 681) and unconscious (n = 156) improved significantly in consciousness between admission and discharge. Favorable outcome (GOSE 5-8) was seen in 69% for patients admitted in Hunt & Hess I-II and 25% for Hunt & Hess III-V. Mortality at one year was 10.9% and 42.7% for those admitted awake and unconscious, respectively.The number of cases decreased during the study period, which was in line with Swedish national data. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of patients with SAH gradually decreased in our material, in line with national data. The treatment policy in our unit has been shifting to more use of endovascular methods. During the study period the use of hemicraniectomies decreased.

NT-proBNP and troponin I in high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Relation to clinical course and outcome.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between two cardiac biomarkers, NT-proBNP and TnI, with intracranial pressure (ICP)-/cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)-insults, cerebral pressure autoregulation, delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND), and clinical outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 196 aSAH patients treated at the neurointensive care unit, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, 2011-2018, with ICP-monitoring and serial NT-proBNP and TnI measurements were included. The first 10 days were divided into early phase (day 1-3) and vasospasm phase (day 4-10). RESULTS: NT-proBNP and TnI were elevated above the reference interval at least once the first 10 days in 175 (89%) and 116 (59%) patients, respectively. In the vasospasm phase, higher NT-proBNP and TnI were associated with increased percentage of CPP below 60 mmHg. Higher TnI also correlated with more ICP-insults above 20 mmHg. NT-proBNP and TnI did not predict worse pressure autoregulation and DIND. Higher NT-proBNP and TnI were associated with mortality and unfavorable outcome in univariate, but not multivariate, analyses. CONCLUSION: Elevated NT-proBNP and TnI correlated with an increased burden of secondary ICP-/CPP-insults, but not with worse pressure autoregulation, DIND, and without independent association with clinical outcome.

Use of Distal Intracranial Catheters for Better Working View of Cerebral Aneurysms Hidden by Parent Artery or Its Branches: A Technical Note.

A good working view is critical for safe and successful endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. In a few cases, endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms may be challenging due to difficulty in obtaining a proper working view. In this report of 6 cases, we described the advantage of using a distal intracranial catheter (DIC) to achieve better visualization of cerebral aneurysms hidden by a parent artery or its branches. Between September 2017 and January 2021, we treated 390 aneurysms with endovascular techniques. In 6 cases in which it was difficult to obtain a proper working view, the DIC was placed distally close to the aneurysm in order to remove the parent artery projection from the working view and obtain better visualization of the aneurysm. Clinical and procedural outcomes and complications were evaluated. The position of the DIC was above the internal carotid artery siphon in the 6 cases. All aneurysms were successfully embolized. Raymond-Roy class 1 occlusion was achieved in all 4 unruptured aneurysms, while the result was class 2 in the 2 ruptured aneurysms. Placement of the DIC was atraumatic without dissections or significant catheter-induced vasospasm in all patients. Transient dysphasia was seen in 2 cases and transient aphasia in 1. Using this technique, we have found it possible to better visualize the aneurysm sac or neck and thereby treat cases we otherwise would have considered untreatable.

Endovascular treatment of type 1 and type 4 non-saccular aneurysms of cerebral arteries - a single-Centre experience.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate our results regarding treatment options, complications, and outcomes in patients with non-saccular aneurysms of cerebral arteries belonging to type 1 and type 4 according to Mizutani's classification. METHODS: A total of 26 aneurysms in 26 patients were treated between 2014 and 2019. There were 13 males (mean age 42.77 ± 11.73 years) and 13 females (mean age 50.84 ± 9.37 years). In 23 cases the onset was haemorrhagic and in three cases non-haemorrhagic. A combination of conventional stents and coils was used in 10 cases, conventional stents and flow diverters in three cases, flow diverters and coils in five cases, and flow diverters only were used in eight cases. Radiological results of treatment were assessed after eight months and clinical after one year. RESULTS: In 24 patients, aneurysms were occluded at the end of the follow-up period. An iatrogenic dissection and two haemorrhagic complications were registered. In three cases, parent arteries were occluded due to re-growth of the aneurysm, which caused middle cerebral artery infarction in one case. A favourable clinical outcome was registered in 19, patients, and non-favourable in five. Two patients died in the early postoperative period due to extensive damage to the brain parenchyma caused by initial bleeding. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that treatment of type 1 and type 4 non-saccular aneurysms with various combination of stents and flow diverters, with or without coils, is promising, although very challenging and technically demanding.

Daily systemic energy expenditure in the acute phase of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage often have impaired consciousness and cannot regulate nutritional intakes themselves. Previous studies have demonstrated elevated energy expenditure in the acute phase, but it is not known whether the energy demand is constant during the first week after onset of the disease. In this study, we performed daily measurements of energy expenditure with indirect calorimetry during the first 7 days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in mechanically ventilated patients.Methods: Metabolic measurements were performed daily with indirect calorimetry in 26 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. All patients were intubated and mechanically ventilated. The measured value was compared to the predicted values from the Harris-Benedict equation and the Penn State University 1998 equation. Urinary nitrogen excretion was measured daily.Results: There was a significant increase in energy expenditure during days 2-3 compared to days 5-6. The Harris-Benedict equation underestimated metabolic demand. The Penn State 1998 equation was closer to the measured values, but still underestimated caloric need. Urinary nitrogen excretion increased throughout the first week from initially low values.Conclusions: There is a dynamic course in energy expenditure in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, with increasing metabolic demand during the first week of the disease. Indirect calorimetry could be used more often to help provide an adequate amount of energy.

Neuroform Atlas stent in treatment of iatrogenic dissections of extracranial internal carotid and vertebral arteries: a single-centre experience.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To present our experience in the treatment of iatrogenic dissections of extracranial internal carotid and vertebral arteries with the Neuroform Atlas stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and February 2018 we treated iatrogenic dissections of three internal carotid arteries and three vertebral arteries. These iatrogenic dissections occurred during the endovascular treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. The indication for stenting was haemodynamically significant, flow-limiting dissection with threatening flow arrest. In all six cases, the dissections were treated by placement of Neuroform Atlas stents in the dissected segments of internal carotid or vertebral arteries. Deployment of the stent was followed by the usual dual antiplatelet regimen. RESULTS: Single or multiple Neuroform Atlas stents were deployed without any technical difficulties, and blood flow was restored immediately after placement of the stents in all six cases. Midterm follow-up (6-8 months) showed complete reconstruction of the shape and lumen of all treated arteries, with negligible intimal hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a favourable outcome can be achieved by treating iatrogenic dissections of extracranial internal carotid and vertebral arteries with the Neuroform Atlas stent.

Dual lumen balloon catheter - An effective substitute for two single lumen catheters in treatment of vascular targets with challenging anatomy.

The aim of this study was to describe our experience in the treatment of various pathological conditions of the cranial and spinal blood vessels and hypervascularized lesions using dual lumen balloon catheters. Twenty-five patients were treated with endovascular techniques: two with vasospasm of cerebral blood vessels caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage, one with a hypervascularized metastasis in the vertebral body, two with spinal dural fistula, four with cerebral dural fistula, three with cerebral arteriovenous malformations, and 13 with aneurysms. The dual lumen balloon catheters were used for remodeling of the coil mesh, injection of various liquid embolic agents, particles and nimodipine, for the prevention of reflux and deployment of coils and stents. The diameter of catheterized blood vessels varied from 0.7 mm to 4 mm. Two complications occurred: perforation of an aneurysm in one case and gluing of the tip of balloon catheter by embolic material in another case. All other interventions were uneventful, and therapeutic goals were achieved in all cases except in the case with gluing of the tip of balloon catheter. The balloons effectively prevented reflux regardless of the type of the embolic material and diameter of blood vessel. The results of our study show that dual lumen balloon catheters allow complex interventions in the narrow cerebral and spinal blood vessels where the safe use of two single lumen catheters is either limited or impossible.

Spot fluoroscopy: a novel innovative approach to reduce radiation dose in neurointerventional procedures.

Background Increased interest in radiation dose reduction in neurointerventional procedures has led to the development of a method called "spot fluoroscopy" (SF), which enables the operator to collimate a rectangular or square region of interest anywhere within the general field of view. This has potential advantages over conventional collimation, which is limited to symmetric collimation centered over the field of view. Purpose To evaluate the effect of SF on the radiation dose. Material and Methods Thirty-five patients with intracranial aneurysms were treated with endovascular coiling. SF was used in 16 patients and conventional fluoroscopy in 19. The following parameters were analyzed: the total fluoroscopic time, the total air kerma, the total fluoroscopic dose-area product, and the fluoroscopic dose-area product rate. Statistical differences were determined using the Welch's t-test. Results The use of SF led to a reduction of 50% of the total fluoroscopic dose-area product (CF = 106.21 Gycm2, SD = 99.06 Gycm2 versus SF = 51.80 Gycm2, SD = 21.03 Gycm2, p = 0.003884) and significant reduction of the total fluoroscopic dose-area product rate (CF = 1.42 Gycm2/min, SD = 0.57 Gycm2/s versus SF = 0.83 Gycm2/min, SD = 0.37 Gycm2/min, p = 0.00106). The use of SF did not lead to an increase in fluoroscopy time or an increase in total fluoroscopic cumulative air kerma, regardless of collimation. Conclusion The SF function is a new and promising tool for reduction of the radiation dose during neurointerventional procedures.

The Early Endocrine Stress Response in Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with severe illness, such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a physiologic stress response is triggered. This includes activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the very early responses of these systems. METHODS: A porcine animal model of aneurysmal SAH was used. In this model, blood is injected slowly to the basal cisterns above the anterior skull base until the cerebral perfusion pressure is 0 mm Hg. Sampling was done from blood and urine at -10, +15, +75 and +135 minutes from time of induction of SAH. Analyses of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone, catecholamines and chromogranin-A were performed. RESULTS: Plasma ACTH, serum cortisol and plasma aldosterone increased in the samples following induction of SAH, and started to decline after 75 minutes. Urine cortisol also increased after SAH. Urine catecholamines and their metabolites were found to increase after SAH. Many samples were however below detection level, not allowing for statistical analysis. Plasma chromogranin-A peaked at 15 minutes after SAH, and thereafter decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The endocrine stress response after aneurysmal SAH was found to start within 15 minutes in the HPA axis with early peak values of ACTH, cortisol and aldosterone. The fact that the concentrations of the HPA axis hormones decreased 135 minutes after SAH may suggest that a similar pattern exists in SAH patients, thus making it difficult to catch these early peak values. There were also indications of early activation of the sympathetic nervous system, but the small number of valid samples made interpretation difficult.

Combined percutaneous and transarterial devascularisation of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma with protection of internal carotid artery: A modification of the technique.

Juvenile nasal angiofibroma (JNA) is a hypervascularised, benign, but locally aggressive tumour that grows in the posterior, upper part of the nasal cavity and invades surrounding anatomical structures. The treatment of choice is surgical removal, but complete resection of the tumour can be hampered because of profuse perioperative bleeding. Preoperative embolisation of the tumour has been proposed as an effective method for prevention of perioperative bleeding, thereby shortening of the time of the operation. In this report of five cases, we describe successful preoperative devascularisation of the tumour by applying a modified method of direct intratumoural injection of the liquid embolic agent Onyx combined with protection of the internal carotid artery. The control of bleeding during the embolisation and occlusion of the maxillary or sphenopalatine artery was achieved by using a bi-luminal balloon catheter. Such use of the dual-lumen catheter in treatment of JNA has not been reported so far in the medical literature.

Metabolic pattern of the acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage in a novel porcine model: studies with cerebral microdialysis with high temporal resolution.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may produce cerebral ischemia and systemic responses including stress. To study immediate cerebral and systemic changes in response to aneurysm rupture, animal models are needed. OBJECTIVE: To study early cerebral energy changes in an animal model. METHODS: Experimental SAH was induced in 11 pigs by autologous blood injection to the anterior skull base, with simultaneous control of intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures. Intracerebral microdialysis was used to monitor concentrations of glucose, pyruvate and lactate. RESULTS: In nine of the pigs, a pattern of transient ischemia was produced, with a dramatic reduction of cerebral perfusion pressure soon after blood injection, associated with a quick glucose and pyruvate decrease. This was followed by a lactate increase and a delayed pyruvate increase, producing a marked but short elevation of the lactate/pyruvate ratio. Glucose, pyruvate, lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio thereafter returned toward baseline. The two remaining pigs had a more severe metabolic reaction with glucose and pyruvate rapidly decreasing to undetectable levels while lactate increased and remained elevated, suggesting persisting ischemia. CONCLUSION: The animal model simulates the conditions of SAH not only by deposition of blood in the basal cisterns, but also creating the transient global ischemic impact of aneurysmal SAH. The metabolic cerebral changes suggest immediate transient substrate failure followed by hypermetabolism of glucose upon reperfusion. The model has features that resemble spontaneous bleeding, and is suitable for future research of the early cerebral and systemic responses to SAH that are difficult to study in humans.

Predictors of increased cumulative serum levels of the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide 4 days after acute spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECT: The rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is followed by increased intracranial pressure and decreased cerebral blood flow. A major systemic stress reaction follows, presumably to restore cerebral blood flow. However, this reaction can also cause adverse effects, including myocardial abnormalities, which are common and can be serious, and increased levels of natriuretic peptides, especially brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The association of BNP with fluid and salt balance, vasospasm, brain ischemia, and cardiac injury has been studied but almost exclusively regarding events after admission. Brain natriuretic peptide has also been measured at various time points and analyzed in different ways statistically. The authors approached BNP measurement in a new way; they used the calculated area under the curve (AUC) for the first 4 days to quantitatively measure the BNP load during the first critical part of the disease state. Their rationale was a suspicion that early BNP load is a marker of the severity of the ictus and will influence the subsequent course of the disease by disturbing the fluid and salt balance. METHODS: The study included 156 patients with acute spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Mean patient age was 59.8 ± 11.2 years, and 105 (67%) of the patients were female. An aneurysm was found in 138 patients. A total of 82 aneurysms were treated by endovascular coiling, 50 were treated by surgery, and 6 were untreated. At the time of admission, serum samples were collected for troponin-I analysis and for the N-terminal prohormone of BNP (NT-proBNP); daily thereafter, samples were collected for the NT-proBNP analysis. The cumulative BNP load was calculated as the AUC for NT-proBNP during the first 4 days. The following variables were studied in terms of their influence on the AUC for NT-proBNP: sex, age, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade of SAH, Fisher grade, angiographic result, treatment of aneurysm, clinical neurological deterioration, verified infections, vasospasm treatment, and 6-month outcome. RESULTS: The AUC for NT-proBNP was larger when variables indicated a more severe SAH. These variables were higher Fisher and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grades, high levels of troponin-I at admission, an aneurysm, neurological deficits, and infections. The AUC for NT-proBNP was also larger among women, older patients, and patients with poor outcomes. Linear regression showed that the best predicting model for large AUC for NT-proBNP was the combination of the following: female sex, high levels of troponin-I, an aneurysm, neurological deficits, and advanced age. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative BNP load during the first days after SAH can be predicted by variables describing the severity of the disease already known at the time of admission. This information can be used to identify patients at risk for an adverse course of the disease.