A study of possible correlation between subarachnoid haemorrhage related vasospasm and the post-bleed blood platelet count chart in a Caucasian population.
BACKGROUND
There has been controversy about the aetiology and pathophysiology of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) related vasospasm. Several pathogenic factors like endothelin and adhesion molecules have been discussed. A recently published study concerning an exclusively Asian population suggested a relationship between SAH related vasospasm and the blood platelet count. The aim of our study was to examine this relationship in a European population.


METHODS
We carefully reviewed 88 patients with aneurysmal SAH (54 females, 34 males; mean age 52.5 years, range from 22 to 78 years) treated in our centre with regard to the occurrence of vasospasm and the blood platelet count in a ten day interval after initial SAH. Symptomatic vasospasm was defined as a focal neurological deficit or deterioration in the level of consciousness with or without confirmation of infarction on a CT scan. Thirty-seven patients (42%) developed clinically relevant vasospasm.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant correlation between the blood platelet count chart (maximum and minimum values) and vasospasm or clinical outcome; we also found no gender or age-related influence on the above mentioned relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
In our opinion there appears to be a difference between Caucasian and Asian populations regarding the influence of platelets in the pathophysiology of SAH and vasospasm.
Schebesch
K-M
KM
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. kalle.schebesch@web.de
Woertgen
C
C
Brawanski
A
A
Rothoerl
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D012737:Sex Factors; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D044465:White People