Early brain injury linearly correlates with reduction in cerebral perfusion pressure during the hyperacute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how complex pathophysiological mechanisms that result in early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are triggered. We investigate how peak intracranial pressure (ICP), amount of subarachnoid blood, and hyperacute depletion of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) correlate to the onset of EBI following experimental SAH. METHODS: An entire spectrum of various degrees of SAH severities measured as peak ICP was generated and controlled using the blood shunt SAH model in rabbits. Standard cardiovascular monitoring, ICP, CPP, and bilateral regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were continuously measured. Cells with DNA damage and neurodegeneration were detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Fluoro-jade B (FJB). RESULTS: rCBF was significantly correlated to reduction in CPP during the initial 15 min after SAH in a linear regression pattern (r(2) = 0.68, p < 0.001). FJB- and TUNEL-labeled cells were linearly correlated to reduction in CPP during the first 3 min of hemorrhage in the hippocampal regions (FJB: r(2) = 0.50, p < 0.01; TUNEL: r(2) = 0.35, p < 0.05), as well as in the basal cortex (TUNEL: r(2) = 0.58, p < 0.01). EBI occurred in animals with severe (relative CPP depletion >0.4) and moderate (relative CPP depletion >0.25 but <0.4) SAH. Neuronal cell death was equally detected in vulnerable and more resistant brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of EBI in terms of neuronal cell degeneration in both the hippocampal regions and the basal cortex linearly correlates with reduced CPP during hyperacute SAH. Temporary CPP reduction, however, is not solely responsible for EBI but potentially triggers processes that eventually result in early brain damage. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40635-014-0030-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.