The Link Between Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics and Rehabilitation Outcomes After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the relation between cerebrovascular function early after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage onset and functional and rehabilitation outcomes. Design Observational cohort study of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients (n = 133) admitted to rehabilitation (n = 49), discharged home (n = 52), or died before discharge (n = 10). We obtained hemodynamic markers of cerebral autoregulatory function from blood flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery and arterial pressure waveforms, recorded daily on days 2–4 after symptom onset, and functional independence measure (FIM) scores and FIM efficiency for those admitted to acute rehabilitation. Results Compared to those discharged home, the range of pressures within which autoregulation is effective was lower in patients admitted to rehabilitation (4.6 [0.2] vs. 3.9 [0.2] mm Hg) and those who died (2.7 [0.4], P = 0.04). For those admitted to rehabilitation, autoregulatory range and the ability of cerebrovasculature to increase flow were related to discharge FIM score (R2 = 0.33 and 0.43, P
Source: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Research Articles CME Article . 2018 Series . Number 5 Source Type: research