Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious condition associated with high mortality rates and long-term disability. We investigated the impact of fluid balance on neurologic outcome after adjustment for possible confounders related to intensive care therapy and extra-cerebral organ failure during the early phase after SAH. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from all 142 adult patients admitted to our university hospital surgical intensive care unit (ICU) with SAH between March 2004 and November 2010. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 54 ± 14 years, 62.7 % were female, and the median Hunt and Hess score was 3. The proportions of patients with poor outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score ≤3) were 58.4, 54.2, and 52.1 % at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, after the SAH. The ICU and hospital mortality rates were both 12.7 %, and the median lengths of stay in the ICU and the hospital were 16 (IQ 7-25) and 26 (IQ 18-34) days, respectively. In multivariable analysis, older age and greater cumulative fluid balance within the first 7 days in the ICU were independently associated with a greater risk of poor outcome. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients, older age and greater cumulative fluid balance were independently associated with a greater risk of poor outcome up to 1 year after the initial insult. Our data suggest that mild hypovolemia may be beneficial in the management of these patients.