Optimal management of intracranial pressure (ICP) among aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients requiring external ventricular drainage (EVD) is controversial. To analyze predictors of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI)-related cerebral infarction after aSAH and the influence of ICP values on DCI, we prospectively collected consecutive patients with aSAH receiving coiling and requiring EVD. Predictors of DCI-related cerebral infarction (new CT hypodensities developed within the first 3 weeks not related to other causes) were studied. Vasospasm and brain hypoperfusion were studied with CT angiography and CT perfusion (RAPID-software). Among 50 aSAH patients requiring EVD, 21 (42%) developed DCI-related cerebral infarction, while 27 (54%) presented vasospasm. Mean ICP ranged between 2 and 19 mmHg. On the multivariate analysis, the mean ICP (OR = 2, 95%CI = 1.01-3.9, p = 0.042) and the mean hypoperfusion volume on Tmax delay 6 (OR = 1.2, 95%CI = 1.01-1.3, p = 0.025) were independent predictors of DCI. To predict DCI-related cerebral infarction, Tmax delay 6 s presented the highest AUC (0.956, SE = 0.025), with a cutoff value of 18 ml showing sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 90.5% (95%CI = 69-98.8%), 86.2% (95%CI = 68.4-96%), 82.6% (95%CI = 65.4-92%), 92.5% (95%CI = 77-98%), and 88% (95%CI = 75-95%), respectively. The AUC of the mean ICP was 0.825 (SE = 0.057), and the best cutoff value was 6.7 mmHg providing sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 71.4% (95%CI = 48-89%), 62% (95%CI = 42-79%), 58% (95%CI = 44-70%), 75% (95%CI = 59-86%), and 66% (95%CI = 51-79%) for the prediction of DCI-related cerebral infarction, respectively. Among aSAH patients receiving coiling and EVD, lower ICP ( 6.7 mmHg in our study) could potentially be beneficial in decreasing DCI-related cerebral infarction. Brain hypoperfusion with a volume 18 ml at Tmax delay 6 s presents a high sensibility and specificity in prediction of DCI-related cerebral infarction.
