Crystalloid Fluid Choice and Neurological Outcome in Patients After Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Background: Despite ongoing advances in critical care mortality and morbidity of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage remains high. Secondary brain injuries related to cerebral vasospasm and consecutive ischemic brain injury and intracerebral edema are the main contributors to mortality and morbidity in these patients. Evidence points towards low serum sodium levels being one of the significant risk factors for of secondary brain injury in this population. Previous studies show that fluid resuscitation with normal saline results in higher serum sodium levels and higher serum osmolality when compared to balanced infusates in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Aim: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether the use of a sodium-rich infusion (normal saline) results in better clinical outcome when compared to a sodium-depleted infusion (lactated Ringer's) in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The primary endpoint will be the occurrence of clinically relevant vasospasm requiring immediate treatment. In addition, the investigators will assess other relevant complications such as long and short-term mortality, significant brain edema requiring conservative therapy or/and operative hemicraniectomy, as well as further patient-relevant outcomes such as days on organ support, postoperative infections, length of stay and long-term disability/mortality.

Study intervention: All patients admitted to a participating hospital with the diagnosis of intracerebral bleeding will be screened and if eligible, randomized to one of the study arms. Individual patient's consent will be sought. Thereafter, patients will receive only the allocated study fluid for fluid maintenance and resuscitation from study inclusion until ICU/intermediate care (IMC) discharge. Neurological evaluation will be performed hourly for the initial phase and thereafter two hourly. Serum sodium, osmolality, fluid, water and electrolyte balance as well as acid-base homeostasis will be evaluated daily. Further, specific assessment of renal, cardiac and immune function takes place at 5 pre-specified time-points (day 1,3,7,10 and at ICU/IMC discharge).

After ICU/IMC discharge patients will be followed for evaluation of secondary endpoints. Long-term disability will be assessed by telephone interview based on the modified the Rankin-Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended.

Sample Size: Sample size calculation was based upon the investigators' ICU's registry data. In 2017, 44.38% patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage reached the predefined endpoint of clinically relevant vasospasm requiring immediate intervention. A clinically relevant effect size was determined to be an improvement in outcome of 15%. Based on these results a patient number of n = 160 for each group was determined under estimation of a 15% drop out rate.