Object: The object of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma taurine and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) outcome.
Methods: Forty patients with SAH and mild neurological deficits were included in this prospective, blinded cohort study. Plasma taurine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography on admission and were correlated with patient outcomes at discharge.
Results: Twenty-five percent of the patients ultimately had a poor outcome. Plasma taurine concentrations at admission were increased (2-fold) in SAH patients with a favorable outcome and were further increased (6-fold) in those who had a poor outcome. Increased taurine levels identified patients who would be discharged with a poor outcome, with sensitivity and specificity values of approximately 80% and 100%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values of approximately 90%. Delayed cerebral vasospasm showed an OR of 27.9 (95% CI 1.090-714.9) for a poor outcome, whereas an increased taurine concentration had an OR of 105 for a poor outcome (95% CI 8.3-1328.0, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Increased plasma taurine concentrations on admission predict a poor outcome in SAH.