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Published on: June 18, 2021
Cardiorespiratory arrest in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
1From the Department of Neurology and Stroke Service, St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, St. Paul, and the Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Insights
Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) is a significant risk in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH). Despite successful resuscitation (SR), outcomes for patients experiencing CRA remain poor, indicating limited influence of SR on prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH) is a life-threatening condition often leading to cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA).
- Successful resuscitation (SR) offers a chance for diagnosis and treatment in ASAH survivors.
- The incidence of CRA and the impact of SR on ASAH prognosis require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH).
- To evaluate the influence of successful resuscitation (SR) on the prognosis of ASAH patients who experience CRA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of hospital records for 95 consecutive ASAH patients diagnosed between 1980 and 1988.
- Data collection included symptoms, aneurysm location, treatment, clinical course, and outcomes.
- Literature review was conducted to supplement findings.
Main Results:
- 16% of ASAH patients experienced CRA, more common in women with posterior circulation aneurysms (PCA) and intracerebral-ventricular clot (ICC).
- Patients with CRA were clinically Stage V; only 7% survived hospitalization.
- For patients without CRA, 56% survived hospitalization.
- Among patients hospitalized after out-of-hospital SR, 7% with ASAH survived.
Conclusions:
- Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) is a frequent and serious complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH).
- The prognosis for ASAH patients experiencing CRA is extremely poor and is not significantly improved by successful resuscitation (SR).
- Large initial hemorrhages disrupting brainstem centers are the likely cause of CRA in ASAH.
Abstract:
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH) can cause sudden death from cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA). Successful resuscitation (SR) allows diagnosis and treatment of survivors. We studied incidences of CRA and the influence of SR in ASAH prognosis. Hospital records of patients with ASAH diagnosed by computed tomography, lumbar puncture, surgery, or autopsy and treated from 1980 to 1988 were reviewed. Symptoms, aneurysm location, treatment, course, and outcome were tabulated. The literature was reviewed. Of 95 consecutive ASAH patients, 15 (16%, 2 males, 13 females) had CRA, seven primary cardiac, six primary respiratory, and two combined CRA. Four of 11(36.4%) had posterior circulation aneurysm (PCA);13 (86.6%) had intracerebral-ventricular clot (ICC). All were clinically Stage V, six improved and had angiography, two had surgery, and one (7%) survived hospitalization. Of other ASAH patients (37 males and 43 females), 4.4% of 68 had PCA, 37.5% had ICC, and 56% survived hospitalization. Of 287 patients hospitalized after out-of-hospital SR in the same period, 18% survived; 14 (4.9%) had ASAH and 1 (7%) survived hospitalization. CRA is not infrequent after onset of ASAH and occurs more commonly in women with PCA. Most likely, it is due to a very large initial hemorrhage disrupting diencephalic circulatory and respiratory centers. Prognosis of patients suffering CRA from ASAH is dismal and not influenced by SR.
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