SAHaRA: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - Red Blood Cell Transfusion and Outcome (SAHaRA): A Randomized Controlled Trial

The SAHaRA trial will clarify the role of treating anemia with Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusion in a unique and vulnerable patient population, and determine whether that impacts on functional outcomes and mortality. It will guide best practice standards and clarify the optimal RBC transfusion strategy in patients with aSAH.

We hypothesize that in adult patients suffering from aSAH and anemia, a liberal RBC transfusion strategy as compared to a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy decreases the combined rate of death and severe disability at 12 months (using the modified Rankin Scale)

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years old at time of SAH
2. First ever episode of aneurysmal SAH
3. Diagnosis of aSAH as confirmed by treating physician (eg: neurosurgeon or neuro- interventionalist) and supported by blood in subarachnoid space (e.g. cranial imaging or cerebrospinal fluid positive for xanthochromia, surgical visualization) that is the result of a ruptured aneurysm (e.g. direct visualization, cranial imaging or catheter angiogram)
4. Hb ≤100g/L within 10 days following aSAH (defined by first day of hospital presentation)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Physician and or family decision to withdraw/withhold active medical care at time of enrolment
2. Active bleeding with hemodynamic instability at time of enrolment
3. Patients with contraindication or known objection to blood transfusions
4. SAH due to mycotic aneurysm, infundibulum and vascular malformations.