Corticothalamic Connectivity in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Relationship with Disordered Consciousness and Clinical Outcomes.

TitleCorticothalamic Connectivity in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Relationship with Disordered Consciousness and Clinical Outcomes.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsForgacs PB, Allen BB, Wu X, Gerber LM, Boddu S, Fakhar M, Stieg PE, Schiff ND, Mangat HS
JournalNeurocrit Care
Date Published2021 Oct 20
ISSN1556-0961
Abstract

BACKGROUND: We present an exploratory analysis of the occurrence of early corticothalamic connectivity disruption after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its correlation with clinical outcomes.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with acute SAH who underwent continuous electroencephalography (EEG) for impairment of consciousness. Only patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm treatment were included. Continuous EEG tracings were reviewed to obtain artifact-free segments. Power spectral analyses were performed, and segments were classified as A (only delta power), B (predominant delta and theta), C (predominant theta and beta), or D (predominant alpha and beta). Each incremental category from A to D implies greater preservation of corticothalamic connectivity. We dichotomized categories as AB for poor connectivity and CD for good connectivity. The modified Rankin Scale score at follow-up and in-hospital mortality were used as outcome measures.

RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were included, of whom 58 had good quality EEG segments for classification: 28 were AB and 30 were CD. Hunt and Hess and World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades were higher and the initial Glasgow Coma Scale score was lower in the AB group compared with the CD group. AB classification was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 5.71 (95% confidence interval 1.61-20.30; p < 0.01) for poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 4-6) at a median follow-up of 4 months (interquartile range 2-6) and an odds ratio of 5.6 (95% confidence interval 0.98-31.95; p = 0.03) for in-hospital mortality, compared with CD.

CONCLUSIONS: EEG spectral-power-based classification demonstrates early corticothalamic connectivity disruption following aneurysmal SAH and may be a mechanism involved in early brain injury. Furthermore, the extent of this disruption appears to be associated with functional outcome and in-hospital mortality in patients with aneurysmal SAH and appears to be a potentially useful predictive tool that must be validated prospectively.

DOI10.1007/s12028-021-01354-6
Alternate JournalNeurocrit Care
PubMed ID34669180
Grant ListK23-NS096222 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
RO1-HD051912 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
UL1-TR000043 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
UL1-TR000457-06 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States