Quantitative evaluation of early antifibrinolytic therapy on 90-day mortality in elderly patients with acute traumatic subdural hematoma: insights from a prospective cohort study.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Acute traumatic subdural hematomas (aTSDH) represent a frequent and critical neurosurgical emergency, associated with a significant risk of mortality. Elderly patients with symptomatic aTSDH may benefit from early antifibrinolytic therapy (EAFT). We aim to investigate whether EAFT can improve clinical outcomes in aTSDH patients and to explore the factors influencing mortality, using data from a nationwide, multicenter, prospective cohort study.

Methods: Multicenter, prospective cohort study at 30 trauma centers from 2023 to 2024 enrolled 963 patients diagnosed aTSDH. After screening, 297 patients aged 60 years or older met inclusion criteria. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included vascular occlusion, brain rebleeding, sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and renal failure.

Results: A total of 297 aTSDH patients were identified, of whom 195 received EAFT, and 102 were in the control group. After propensity score matching (PSM), 80 patients in each group were compared. There were no significant differences in 90-day mortality (before PSM, P = 0.439; after PSM, P = 0.828). The difference between the two group in the incidence of brain rebleeding, sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and renal failure were similar before and after PSM. The EAFT group had a significantly higher incidence of vascular occlusion compared to the control group (before PSM, P = 0.014; after PSM, P = 0.027). In multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]), increased 90-day mortality was predicted by larger hematoma volume (2.329 [1.123-4.830], P = 0.023) and greater midline shift (2.251 [1.065-4.755], P = 0.034). Sensitivity analysis indicated that there was heterogeneity in the treatment effects between the two groups across different midline shift categories (before PSM, P = 0.012; after PSM, P = 0.043).

Conclusion: EAFT may not significantly reduce mortality in elderly aTSDH patients and could potentially increase the risk of vascular occlusion. Therefore, its use in this population should be approached with caution, carefully assessing the potential risks.