Predicting Role of GFAP and UCH-L1 biomarkers in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: a preliminary study to evaluate in the short-term their correlation with severity of bleeding and prognosis

J Clin Neurosci. 2024 Aug:126:119-127. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.06.003. Epub 2024 Jun 12.

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (sSAH) is a severe brain vascular accident. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) can be theoretically assayed to predict a patient's progression, picturing different aspects of clinical failure after sSAH. The study aims to: a) explore the correlation between sSAH blood volume and biomarkers variation; b) evaluate if these can be predictive of the neurogenic response after sSAH and be prognostic of patient outcome; c) establish eventual threshold levels of biomarkers to define patients' clinical outcome.

Methods: Blood volumetry at CT scan upon admission, GFAP and UCH-L1 were collected at 24 h, at 72 h, and after 7 days from hemorrhage. Trends and cut-off serum sampling were determined. Clinical outcome was assessed with mRS scale at 14 days.

Results: A strong correlation between GFAP and UCH-L1 and blood diffusion volume in all explored serum intervals related to unfavorable outcome. GFAP and UCH-L1 were very early predictors of unfavorable outcomes at 24 h from sSAH (p = 0.002 and 0.011 respectively). Threshold levels of UCH-L1 apparently revealed a very early, early and late predictor of unfavorable outcomes.

Conclusion: GFAP and UCH-L1 represent a potential tool for prompt monitoring and customization of therapies in neurosurgical patients.

Keywords: Biomarkers; CT scan bleeding; Clinical outcome; Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers* / blood
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein* / blood
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* / blood
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* / complications
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase* / blood

Substances

  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Biomarkers
  • UCHL1 protein, human
  • GFAP protein, human