Optimal cerebral perfusion pressure in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and its relation to perfusion deficits on CT-perfusion

Preservation of optimal cerebral perfusion is a crucial part of the acute management after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). A few studies indicated possible benefits of maintaining a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near the calculated optimal CPP (CPPopt), representing an individually optimal condition at which cerebral autoregulation functions at its best. This retrospective observational monocenter study was conducted to investigate, whether “suboptimal” perfusion with actual CPP deviating from CPPopt correlates with perfusion deficits detected by CT-perfusion (CTP). A consecutive cohort of aSAH-patients was reviewed and patients with available parameters for CPPopt-calculation, who simultaneously received CTP, were analyzed. By plotting the pressure reactivity index (PRx) versus CPP, CPP correlating the lowest PRx value was identified as CPPopt. Perfusion deficits on CTP were documented. In 86 out of 324 patients, the inclusion criteria were met. Perfusion deficits were detected in 47% (40/86) of patients. In 43% of patients, CPP was lower than CPPopt, which correlated with detected perfusion deficits (r = 0.23, p = 0.03). Perfusion deficits were found in 62% of patients with CPP<CPPopt compared to 34% in patients without deviation or CPP>CPPopt (OR 3, p = 0.01). These findings support the hypothesis, that a deviation of CPP from CPPopt is an indicator of suboptimal cerebral perfusion.