• Anna Lindner, Verena Rass, Bogdan-Andrei Ianosi, Alois Josef Schiefecker, Mario Kofler, Max Gaasch, Alberto Addis, Paul Rhomberg, Bettina Pfausler, Ronny Beer, Erich Schmutzhard, Claudius Thomé, and Raimund Helbok.
• 1Neurological Intensive Care Unit, Department of Neurology, and.
• J. Neurosurg. 2021 Apr 9; 135 (6): 165616651656-1665.

ObjectiveRecent guidelines recommend targeting a systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mm Hg in the early management of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The optimal SBP targets for ICH patients after hematoma evacuation (HE) remain unclear. Here, the authors aimed to define the optimal SBP range based on multimodal neuromonitoring data.MethodsForty poor-grade ICH patients who had undergone HE and then monitoring of intracerebral pressure, brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2), and cerebral metabolism (via cerebral microdialysis [CMD]) were prospectively included. Episodes of brain tissue hypoxia (BTH) (1-hour averaged PbtO2 < 20 mm Hg) and metabolic distress (CMD-lactate/pyruvate ratio [LPR] ≥ 40) were identified and linked to corresponding parameters of hemodynamic monitoring (SBP and cerebral perfusion pressure [CPP]). Multivariable regression analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations to identify associations between SBP levels, PbtO2, and brain metabolism.ResultsThe mean patient age was 60 (range 51-66) years and the median [IQR] initial ICH volume was 47 [29-60] ml. In multivariable models adjusted for Glasgow Coma Scale score, probe location, ICH volume, and age, lower SBP was independently associated with a higher risk of BTH (≤ 120 mm Hg: adjusted OR 2.9, p = 0.007; 120-130 mm Hg: adj OR 2.4, p = 0.002; 130-140 mm Hg: adj OR 1.6, p = 0.017) compared to a reference range of 140-150 mm Hg at the level of the foramen interventriculare Monroi, which corresponded to a CPP of 70-80 mm Hg and SBP levels between 150 and 160 mm Hg at the heart level. After exclusion of episodes with mitochondrial dysfunction, SBP targets < 140 mm Hg were associated with higher odds of cerebral metabolic distress (≤ 130 mm Hg: OR 2.5, p = 0.041; 130-140 mm Hg: OR 2.3, p = 0.033). Patients with a modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 5 at neurological ICU discharge more often exhibited BTH than patients with better outcomes (51% vs 10%, p = 0.003).ConclusionsThese data suggest that lower SPB and CPP levels are associated with a higher risk for BTH. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether a higher SPB target may prevent BTH and improve outcomes.

6 keywords...

hide…