Investigation of the Role of Inflammatory Markers in the Early Detection of Cerebral Vasospasm, Delayed Cerebral Ischemia, and Meningitis Associated With External Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage After Non-Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - A Prospective Case-Control Study

NCT ID: NCT07129603

Last Updated: 2025-08-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-01
• Study Completion Date: 2029-12-31

Brief Summary

Background Non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is frequently complicated by delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) and by ventriculitis/meningitis when external CSF drains are used; bedside TCCD has limited accuracy for vasospasm detection, creating a need for early biomarkers.

Objective To assess the predictive and diagnostic performance of IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and adrenomedullin (ADM) measured in CSF and serum for vasospasm, DCI, and drain-associated ventriculitis/meningitis after SAH; to test whether combining biomarkers improves accuracy versus routine parameters; and to explore associations with admission and day-14 serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D.

Methods Prospective case-control study at the University of Debrecen (planned n≈100; enrolment 01-Nov-2024-31-Dec-2029). Adults with angiography-verified SAH requiring lumbar/ventricular drainage are included; traumatic SAH, prior 6-month meningitis, and immunosuppression are excluded. TCCD is performed daily for 14 days; suspected vasospasm is defined by mean flow velocity >120 cm/s, severe by >200 cm/s, with monitoring extended to day 21 if severe. Sampling: daily CSF IL-6/PCT/CRP until drain removal; IL-1β/TNFα/ADM at 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 days and at meningitis detection; serum 25-OH-D on drain insertion day and day 14. Outcomes at days 30/90/180: mortality, GOSE, Barthel, Karnofsky, mRS. Statistics: normality testing; t-test or non-parametric equivalents; χ² with Yates' correction; Bonferroni for multiplicity; ROC analysis for diagnostic/predictive performance.

Endpoints DCI: new unexplained CT ischaemia or a new unexplained neurological deficit >1 h. Drain-associated infection: infectologist-adjudicated ventriculitis/meningitis. Vasospasm: TCCD-suggested or DSA-confirmed.

Expected impact An accessible CSF/serum biomarker panel may enable earlier risk stratification and treatment for vasospasm, DCI, and drain-associated infections, and inform future randomized trials of vitamin-D supplementation in SAH.

Detailed Description

Brief Summary This single-centre prospective case-control study will evaluate whether a CSF/serum biomarker panel (IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα, PCT, CRP, adrenomedullin) can improve the early diagnosis and risk stratification of cerebral vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI), and drain-associated ventriculitis/meningitis in adults treated for non-traumatic SAH with external CSF drainage. The study also explores associations with serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D.

Detailed Description Background: Bedside TCCD is non-invasive but has limited accuracy for vasospasm; DSA is the gold standard but invasive and not easily repeatable. Early, reliable biomarkers could identify high-risk patients sooner. External CSF drainage is standard after SAH but carries a 5-22% risk of ventriculitis/meningitis.

Objectives: Assess diagnostic/predictive performance (including ROC analyses) of IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα, PCT, CRP and adrenomedullin (ADM) in CSF and serum for vasospasm, DCI and drain-associated infection; compare against routine parameters; evaluate combined-biomarker utility; explore associations with 25-OH-vitamin D.

Sampling/monitoring: Daily TCCD for 14 days (extend to day 21 if severe vasospasm); suspected vasospasm if MFV >120 cm/s, severe if >200 cm/s. CSF IL-6/PCT/CRP daily until drain removal; IL-1β, TNFα, ADM at 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 days and at infection detection; serum 25-OH-vitamin D on drain-insertion day and day 14. Outcomes collected at days 30/90/180 (mortality, GOSE, Barthel, Karnofsky, mRS).

Study Type Observational (Prospective; Case-Control).

Observational Model / Time Perspective Case-Control; Prospective.

Estimated Enrollment

~100 participants.

Outcome Measures Primary Outcome Measures Vasospasm occurrence (binary): TCCD suggestive (MFV >120 cm/s; severe >200 cm/s) and/or DSA-confirmed; diagnostic/predictive performance of biomarkers (e.g., ROC AUC). Time Frame: first 14 days post-ictus (to day 21 if severe vasospasm).

Delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) (binary): new unexplained ischaemia on native cranial CT or new unexplained neurological deficit lasting >1 hour; biomarker performance vs DCI status. Time Frame: during acute hospital course (typically within first 14 days).

Drain-associated ventriculitis/meningitis (binary): infectologist-adjudicated diagnosis during drainage; biomarker performance vs infection status. Time Frame: through duration of external drainage.

Secondary Outcome Measures Functional outcomes: mortality; Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale; Barthel Index; Karnofsky; modified Rankin Scale at days 30/90/180 post-ictus.

Comparative accuracy: biomarkers vs routine CSF/blood parameters (e.g., CSF cell count/composition/lactate; albumin & glucose ratios; serum CRP/PCT/IL-6).

Combined-biomarker utility: added value of multi-marker panels over single markers.

Vitamin D exploratory analysis: correlation of biomarkers with admission and day-14 serum 25-OH-vitamin D.

Biospecimen CSF and blood samples collected for biomarker measurements (lab values used for analysis).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion:

• Adults (≥18 years).
• Angiography-identifiable non-traumatic SAH (regardless of source).
• Requires lumbar or ventricular drain as part of treatment.

Exclusion:

• Traumatic SAH.
• Patient/legal representative does not consent.
• Meningitis within 6 months prior to ictus.
• Immunosuppressed state (disease or medications affecting WBC number/function).

Groups/Cohorts (for analyses)

• Vasospasm (+/-) (TCCD-suggested or DSA-confirmed vs. absent).
• DCI (+/-) (meets DCI definition vs. absent).
• Drain-associated ventriculitis/meningitis (+/-) (infectologist-adjudicated vs. excluded).

Statistical Plan Normality testing; t-test or non-parametric equivalents; χ² with Yates' correction where appropriate; Bonferroni for multiplicity; ROC analysis for diagnostic/predictive performance.

Location University of Debrecen, Clinical Centre - Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Debrecen, Hungary (Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit).

Contacts Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Csilla Molnár - University of Debrecen, Clinical Centre, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care. (Phone/Email per site policy.)

Keywords Subarachnoid haemorrhage; vasospasm; delayed cerebral ischaemia; ventriculitis; meningitis; IL-6; IL-1β; TNFα; procalcitonin; CRP; adrenomedullin; CSF biomarkers; TCCD; vitamin D.

Conditions

Subarachnoid Haemorrhagic Stroke

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults (≥18 years).
• Angiography-identifiable non-traumatic SAH (regardless of source).
• Requires lumbar or ventricular drain as part of treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

• Traumatic SAH.
• Patient/legal representative does not consent.
• Meningitis within 6 months prior to ictus.
• Immunosuppressed state (disease or medications affecting WBC number/function).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Tamas Vegh, MD

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Tamas Vegh, MD

MD PhD

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Csilla Molnár, MD PhD Full Professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care

Locations

University of Debrecen, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

Debrecen, , Hungary

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Hungary

Central Contacts

Csilla Molnár, MD PhD Full Professor

Role: CONTACT

csmolnar@med.unideb.hu

+36302998097

Dorottya Szántó, MD

Role: CONTACT

szanto.dorottya@med.unideb.hu

+36309990718

Facility Contacts

Csilla Molnár, MD PhD Full Professor

Role: primary

csmolnar@med.unideb.hu

+36302998097

Dorottya MSzántó, MD

Role: backup

szanto.dorottya@med.unideb.hu

+36309990718

Other Identifiers

NNGYK/14357-2/2025

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

DE RKEB/IKEB 6947-2024

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

AITT 2024/3

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id