Heliyon (Dec 2024)
Threshold hemoglobin level for delayed cerebral ischemia: A single-center retrospective analysis
Abstract
Background: Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) occurs in approximately 20%–30 % of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This is the most common complication of SAH and has a high mortality rate. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) values and DCI and aimed to determine a cutoff Hb value to be used as a predictor of DCI. Methods: A total of 259 patients who were followed up for aneurysmal SAH at the Neurosurgery Clinic of Health Sciences University Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital were included in our study. The patients were categorized into three groups according to Hb levels, low: 13 g/dl, and the relationship between Hb value and DCI and clinical outcomes was examined. Further, the cutoff Hb value for predicting DCI was determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Statistical analyses revealed that patients with low Hb levels of <10 g/dl had a higher frequency of DCI than those with Hb levels of <10.75 g/dl. In addition, pairwise analyses based on the determined cutoff value revealed that patients with Hb levels <10.75 g/dl experienced DCI more frequently. Conclusion: This study aimed to determine the utility of Hb levels as a predictor of DCI by examining its risk factors. The cutoff Hb level determined here is an important predictive factor for DCI, and the results provide promising evidence in term of early detection of DCI.
