CTP for the Screening of Vasospasm and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Aneurysmal SAH: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Delayed cerebral ischemia and vasospasm are the most common causes of late morbidity following aneurysmal SAH, but their diagnosis remains challenging.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the diagnostic performance of CTP for detection of delayed cerebral ischemia and vasospasm in the setting of aneurysmal SAH.

DATA SOURCES: Studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of CTP in the setting of aneurysmal SAH were searched on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, Cochrane Methodology Register, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, American College of Physicians Journal Club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Health Technology Assessment, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, PubMed, and Google Scholar from their inception to September 2023.

STUDY SELECTION: Thirty studies were included, encompassing 1786 patients with aneurysmal SAH and 2302 CTP studies. Studies were included if they compared the diagnostic accuracy of CTP with a reference standard (clinical or radiologic delayed cerebral ischemia, angiographic spasm) for the detection of delayed cerebral ischemia or vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal SAH. The primary outcome was accuracy for the detection of delayed cerebral ischemia or vasospasm.

DATA ANALYSIS: Bivariate random effects models were used to pool outcomes for sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio. Subgroup analyses for individual CTP parameters and early-versus-late study timing were performed. Bias and applicability were assessed using the modified QUADAS-2 tool.

DATA SYNTHESIS: For assessment of delayed cerebral ischemia, CTP demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 82.1% (95% CI, 74.5%–87.8%), specificity of 79.6% (95% CI, 73.0%–84.9%), positive likelihood ratio of 4.01 (95% CI, 2.94–5.47), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.23 (95% CI, 0.12–0.33). For assessment of vasospasm, CTP showed a pooled sensitivity of 85.6% (95% CI, 74.2%–92.5%), specificity of 87.9% (95% CI, 79.2%–93.3%), positive likelihood ratio of 7.10 (95% CI, 3.87–13.04), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.16 (95% CI, 0.09–0.31).

LIMITATIONS: QUADAS-2 assessment identified 12 articles with low risk, 11 with moderate risk, and 7 with a high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS: For delayed cerebral ischemia, CTP had a sensitivity of >80%, specificity of >75%, and a low negative likelihood ratio of 0.23. CTP had better performance for the detection of vasospasm, with sensitivity and specificity of >85% and a low negative likelihood ratio of 0.16. Although the accuracy offers the potential for CTP to be used in limited clinical contexts, standardization of CTP techniques and high-quality randomized trials evaluating its impact are required.