Article
Blood transfusion in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage and clinical outcome
Bluttransfusion bei Patienten mit spontaner Subarachnoidalblutung und deren klinisches Outcome
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Published: | May 8, 2019 |
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Objective: Aim of this study was to analyse the association between receiving a blood transfusion within the first 4 days after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the risk of unfavorable outcome.
Methods: Between 10/2012 and 01/2018 a total number of 533 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was treated at our institution. Patient data were prospectively entered in a computerized database. We retrospectively analysed the association between receiving a blood transfusion in the first 4 days after ictus and clinical outcome.
Results: Of the 533 patients with spontaneous SAH treated at our institution between 10/2012 and 01/2018, 133 patients (25%) received a blood transfusion while their initial hospital stay, of which 64 patients (12%) received the transfusion within the first 4 days after ictus. Patients, who received blood transfusion within 4 days had higher SAH grades according to Hunt & Hess (73% vs 23%, p=0.001). In patients without a blood transfusion in the first 4 days after ictus, the incidence of developing cerebral vasospasm was 37% (173 out of 469 patients), versus 55% (35 out of 64 patients) in patients who received a blood transfusion within the first 4 days (p=0.009). Outcome at 6 months did differ significantly between patients who received blood transfusion within 4 days versus patients with no transfusion within 4 days (mRs: 5±2 vs. 2±2, p=0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, blood transfusion within 4 days, H&H grades and cerebral vasospasm were predictors for poor outcome after 6 months.
Conclusion: In the present study, blood transfusion within 4 days seems to be a predictor for poor outcome after spontaneous SAH.