title: Corticosteroids in the Management of Hyponatremia, Hypovolemia, and Vasospasm in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis.
abstract: Cerebral vasospasm and sodium and fluid imbalances are common sequelae of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown the benefit of corticosteroids in the management of these sequelae. We have reviewed the literature and analyzed the available data for corticosteroid use after SAH.
  
  
  
  PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane electronic databases were searched without language restrictions, and 7 observational, controlled clinical studies of the effect of corticosteroids in the management of SAH patients were identified. Data on sodium and fluid balances, symptomatic vasospasm (SVS), and outcomes were pooled for meta-analyses using the Mantel-Haenszel random effects model.
  
  
  
  Corticosteroids, specifically hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone, decreased natriuretic diuresis and incidence of hypovolemia. Corticosteroid administration is associated with lower incidence of SVS in the absence of nimodipine, but does not alter the neurological outcome.
  
  
  
  Supplementation of corticosteroids with mineralocorticoid activity, such as hydrocortisone or fludrocortisone, helps in maintaining sodium and volume homeostasis in SAH patients. Larger trials are warranted to confirm the effects of corticosteroids on SVS and patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Tex., USA.
authors.forename: Akshitkumar M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mistry
authors.forename: Eva A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mistry
authors.forename: Nishant
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ganesh Kumar
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Froehler
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.forename: Rohan V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Chitale
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005438:Fludrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020896:Hypovolemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009318:Natriuresis / Q000187:drug effects; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D012964:Sodium; D005438:Fludrocortisone; D006854:Hydrocortisone