Evaluation of Cerebral Spinal Fluid and Blood in Patients With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

In this project we are collecting cerebrospinal fluid and blood from patients at Vanderbilt
Medical Center who have a subarachnoid hemorrhage which has followed the rupture of a brain
aneurysm. We then propose to study the cerebrospinal fluid using a novel microscopic laser
directed mass spectrometric analysis (MALDI) available at Vanderbilt. The cerebrospinal fluid
and blood will then be analysed for different biological markers, protein expression and gene
expression. These markers will then be statistically correlated with clinical data including
prediction of vasospasm, time to vasospasm and response to standard therapy.

The goal of this study is to determine cerebrospinal fluid and serum markers which will be
predictive of vasospasm. This in turn may lead to improved outcomes in this population of
patients.

The data will be compared to excess cerebrospinal fluid collected from patients who are
undergoing lumbar puncture in the Neurology Clinic or excess cerebrospinal fluid from
patients undergoing cranial surgery for other causes like tumor excision.

For patients enrolled in the study, cerebrospinal fluid will be collected by either lumbar
puncture or external ventricular catheter. Specimens will be collected immediately
pre-operatively if an external ventricular drain is in place or intraoperatively if an
external ventricular drain is not present. We will also collect cerebrospinal fluid post
operatively after placement of an external ventricular drain regularly from the excess
cerebrospinal fluid that has been collected in the drainage bag. CSF will be collected in a
serial fashion at multiple time points: immediately post operatively, during vasospasm and
before the external ventricular drain is removed.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients eligible to participate in this study are those that have a documented
subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm or patients who have excess
cerebrospinal fluid after a Lumbar Puncture or surgery for tumor resection.

- 18 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients or family who are unable to understand the informed consent process will be
excluded.