Clinical characteristics of patients with pseudo-subarachnoid haemorrhage who were successfully resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest

Abstract

Introduction: Pseudo-subarachnoid haemorrhage (PSAH) is a rare neuroradiological finding seen in patients with diffuse cerebral edemas. We investigated clinical characteristics and risk factors for the development of PSAH. Method: The successfully resuscitated patients in emergency department were classified into two groups: those with pseudo-SAH [PSAH (+)] and those without pseudo-SAH [PSAH (-)]. Clinical variables were analysed. Results: Pseudo-SAH was found in 31.6% of patients. PSAH was more common in males (p=0.042). The mean age was 39.9±10.3 years in the PSAH (+) group and 54.4±22.0 years in the PSAH (-) group (p=0.038). Outcomes measured by Cerebral Performance Category score were also significantly different between the two groups (p=0.037). Logistic regression analysis found that serum lactate concentration and duration of anoxia were associated with the development of PSAH (with odds ratios and p values of 1.92, p=0.01 and 1.13, p=0.02, respectively). Conclusions: PSAH itself is a phenomenon that could be seen in post-resuscitation encephalopathy as a consequence of severe anoxic insult.