Measuring serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels in peripheral blood after subarachnoid hemorrhage to predict cerebral vasospasm

PURPOSE We aimed to investigate serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in both subarachnoid hemorrhage and control groups for prediction of cerebral vasospasm in this study. METHODS Venous serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels were prospectively measured four times (days 1, 3, 7, and 14) for 34 consecutive patients with subarachnoidal hemorrhage (n = 27) and for elective aneurysm clipping (control, n = 7). RESULTS Vasospasm developed in 11/34 (32.4 %) patients between 3 and 10 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (median 5.58 days), mean peak serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 compared with the non-vasospasm cohort. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels were higher in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients than in the controls. CONCLUSION Increased serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 could be an accurate biomarker to predict the onset of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.