A Low ChloridE hyperTonic Solution for Brain Edema

This pilot study aimed to collect high-quality randomized and prospective information to help plan a future, larger multicenter trial. The study will compare the two hypertonic solutions currently used for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) - related complications and to determine if the reduction of chloride load by using a sodium acetate and sodium chloride mixture can lead to a relative reduction of serum chloride, reduce kidney injury, and as efficacious as the classic hypertonic solution.

Hyperosmolar therapy is one of the mainstay treatments for SAH-related cerebral edema and vasospasm, in order to reduce delayed cerebral ischemia. Recent evidence from the literature correlates high chloride load when applying IV fluids with worse outcome in a variety of critically-ill patients. Hypertonic saline, with which most hyperosmolar treatment is done, contains a supra-physiologic chloride load. It is possible that by changing the hypertonic solution to a "chloride-lean" one, the study team would be able to reduce the side effects of hypertonic sodium-chloride without losing its efficacy in treating SAH-related complications.

Inclusion criteria

• Spontaneous SAH with an identified aneurysmal source as identified on neuroimaging obtained at admission to Emory University Hospital or with imaging at an outside hospital
• Age ≥ 18 years

Exclusion criteria

• SAH related to non-aneurysmal vascular anomaly
• SAH thought due to trauma
• SAH occurring in relation to another medical procedure (cardiac catheterization, LVAD placement, etc.)
• SAH with a negative workup for cause ("angio-negative")
• Patients who arrive in a brain-death state or in a devastating clinical status that will be presumed to lead to brain death or early withdrawal of treatment
• Patient who suffer from end-stage renal disease at baseline and who are routinely treated with dialysis
• Known pregnancy