Risk factors for mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to determine predictors of mortality among patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to the Intensive of our institution during a 7 year period (2009-2015). Data were collected from the Intensive Care Unit computerized database and the patients’ chart reviews. RESULTS: We included in the study 107 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. A ruptured aneurysm was the cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage in 76 (71%) patients. The overall mortality was 40% (43 patients), and was significantly associated with septic shock, midline shift on CT scan, inter-hospital transfer, aspiration pneumonia and hypernatraemia during the first 72 hours of Intensive Care Unit stay. Multivariate analysis of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage following an aneurysm rupture revealed that mortality was significantly associated with septic shock and hypernatremia during the first 72 hours of Intensive Care Unit stay, while early treatment of aneurysm (clipping or endovascular coiling) within the first 72 hours was identified as a predictor of a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Transferred patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage had lower survival rates. Septic shock and hypernatraemia were important complications among critically ill patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and were associated increased mortality.