Hydrocephalus in 389 patients with aneurysm-associated subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often leads to hydrocephalus, which is commonly treated by placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. There is controversy over which factors affect the need for such treat- ment. In this study, data were prospectively collected from 389 consecutive patients who presented with an aneurysm-associated SAH at a single center. External ventricular drainage placement was performed as part of the treatment for acute hydrocephalus, and VP shunts were placed in patients with chronic hydro- cephalus. The data were retrospectively analyzed using two-sample t-tests, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis. Overall, shunt dependency occurred in 91 of the 389 patients (23.4%). Using logistic regression analysis, two factors were found to be significantly associated with VP shunt placement: an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8-14 (8-14 versus 3-7, p = 0.016; 15 versus 3-7, p = 0.55); and aneurysm coiling (p = 0.017). Patients with an initial GCS score of 8-14 after aneurysm-associated SAH had a 2.5-fold higher risk of receiving a VP shunt than those with a GCS score of 3-7. Those with a GCS of 15 had a 50% lower risk of becoming shunt dependent than did the subgroup with a GCS score of 8-14. To clarify and strengthen these observations, prospective, randomized trials are needed.