Baricitinib for the Lung Injury Following Spontaneous SAH

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is an acute cerebrovascular disorder resulting from the rupture of intracranial vessels, primarily caused by factors such as the rupture of intracranial aneurysms (accounting for approximately 75%-80% of SAH cases), arteriovenous malformations, and abnormal vasculature.

Pulmonary complications, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), frequently manifest in a significant number of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients, significantly impacting their prognosis. The pathogenesis of these complications can be partially attributed to an exaggerated inflammatory response during the acute phase following SAH. The incidence of cerebrovascular spasm and mortality rates significantly increase in SAH patients with pulmonary complications, thereby resulting in a poorer long-term prognosis. However, the current strategy for preventing or managing pulmonary complications after SAH is not sufficiently effective.

The JAK-STAT signaling pathway, a pivotal stress-induced inflammatory cascade triggered subsequent to SAH, is characterized by its rapid response to external stimuli. Baricitinib, a JAK inhibitor developed by Eli Lilly Company, exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects in diverse pathological processes and finds extensive application in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and alopecia areata. However, it remains uncertain whether early administration of baricitinib can mitigate the incidence of secondary pulmonary complications and enhance the prognosis of SAH by suppressing the exaggerated inflammatory response during the acute phase following SAH.

The current multicenter clinical trial is designed as a randomized, parallel control, and double-blind study to assess the efficacy of baricitinib in reducing pulmonary complications among patients with SAH. SAH Patients admitted to participating clinical centers with a Hunt-Hess score of Ⅲ-Ⅳ will undergo continuous screening based on predefined selection criteria. The enrolled subjects will be randomly allocated into an experimental group and a control group, receiving either Baricitinib (4mg/day for 3 days) in addition to conventional treatment or placebo in addition to conventional treatment, respectively. The primary outcome is the incidence of pneumonia within 14 days after SAH. While the secondary outcome including the incidence of ARDS and other pulmonary complications within 14 days, the incidence of serious adverse events within 14 days, the proportion of patients requiring assisted ventilation measures within 14 days, the mortality rate within 14/30/90 days, as well as the neurological outcome at 30/90 days.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 and ≤80 years old;
• Diagnosed with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage through imaging or lumbar puncture;
• Hunt-Hess score of Ⅲ-Ⅳ;
• Acute onset, admitted to the hospital within 24 hours of onset

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of lung diseases before initiation of study treatment such as chronic obstructive emphysema, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, or a history of lung surgery;
• Presence of autoimmune diseases, immune system dysfunction, or blood system dysfunction (absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) less than 0.5×109 cells/L, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 1×109 cells/L, or hemoglobin value less than 8 g/dL) before the onset of the disease;
• Secondary SAH (such as traumatic SAH), or combined craniocerebral trauma, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, or peripheral organ trauma;
• Evidence of fever or infection already present at the time of admission;
• History of previous craniocerebral surgery, previous cerebral hemorrhage, craniocerebral injury, cerebral infarction, intracranial tumor, or presence of neurological dysfunction before the onset of the disease;
• Presence of contraindications for baricitinib treatment, including severe liver damage, renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance rate <30ml/min), hypercholesterolemia, or known drug allergies;
• Taking JAK inhibitors or other immunosuppressive drugs before the onset of the disease;
• Expected survival time less than 2 weeks;
• Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding;
• Currently participating in other interventional clinical studies;
• Patients who refuse to sign the consent form or refuse to accept follow-up.