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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2025
Background: Vasospasm is an important complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Attempts to identify patients at highest risk of vasospasm have not led to practice change. We sought to identify patients at lowest risk of vasospasm by testing the prognostic utility of novel low risk criteria: mean MCA velocities on TCD that peaked and remained below 120 cm/s by the 7th day. Methods: Retrospective observational study of TCD values in patients admitted to The Ottawa Hospital with SAH 2018-2023. The primary outcome was presence of moderate to severe vasospasm (MCA mean velocity >160 cm/s) by day 21. Results: Data were collected on 211 patients, of whom 197 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Only 2 of 104 patients (2%) meeting our low-risk criteria developed the primary outcome, compared to 48 of 93 patients (52%) who did not meet criteria (RR 27). The Negative Predictive Value (NPV) for vasospasm in our low-risk group was 98%. Conclusions: Our low-risk criteria based on TCD patterns in the first 7 days after SAH can identify patients at very low risk of vasospasm with great accuracy. This could inform a future prospective study.