Shunt-dependency After aSAH - Role of Early Hyperglycaemia in CSF and Blood

Aneurysmal SAH is a haemorrhage into the subarachnoid space associated with high mortality and morbidity. Several factors influence morbidity and therefore outcome after aSAH with HCP being one such factor. Hydrocephalus is a well-known complication after aSAH. It is thought to occur due to arachnoid adhesions as a reaction to the blood in the subarachnoid space, leading to impaired CSF absorption. Hydrocephalus is associated with an increased risk of poor clinical outcome, cognitive disturbance, and decreased functional status[3-5]. As such, HCP is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality in aSAH patients and warrants treatment, preferably early. In acute HCP, diversion of CSF is conducted via insertion of an EVD. Due to the blood in the CSF, a permanent system, such as a VPS, is not inserted in the early stages as it would get blocked due to clots. If patients cannot be weaned from the EVD due to persisting HCP a VPS, is then inserted if the CSF is not too bloody anymore. Incidence of aSAH-associated HCP is up to 67%, of which about 50% end up needing a VPS. Several risk factors (ie. increased age, female sex, rebleeding, intraventricular haemorrhage, Fisher grade, and Hunt and Hess grade) have been reported. One factor, especially interesting due to its potential target as a treatment option, is hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia after aSAH is common and most likely due to humeral activation including catecholamine release altering homeostasis. Previous studies have reported an association between hyperglycaemia and VPS dependency. The pathophysiological mechanism behind this potential association remains unclear but is likely due to it adhesions caused by hyperglycaemia and therefore reduction of CSF outflow potentially through higher viscosity. Inflammation, disruption of immune function and disruption of endothelial function might also play a role by decreasing reabsorption. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of glucose levels in CSF, as well as serum (as CSF glucose is proportional to blood glucose), at prespecified time points and its association with VPS dependency in patients requiring EVD. In this step, timing of VPS insertion is going to be conducted as per our standard. Assessment of early (without trying out repeated weaning) versus late VPS insertion will only be evaluated once the association has been proven in our study.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years old and older
• Hospital admission due to an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (radiological confirmation needed)

Exclusion criteria

• Younger than 18 years old
• Non-aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (eg. trauma, perimesencephalic subarachnoid haemorrhage, mycotic or flow-associated aneurysms)
• Previous enrolment into the current study