ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A999 SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER BIOMARKERS FOR THE PREDICTION OF DELAYED CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA FOLLOWING SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

Abstract Background and aims Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) following an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) significantly impacts mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of Transcranial Doppler (TCD)-derived biomarkers for predicting DCI via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Included studies had to correctly define DCI and report data on sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Univariate or bivariate analyses with a random effects model were used, and risk of bias was evaluated with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies. Results From 23 eligible articles (n = 2371 patients), three biomarker categories were identified: cerebral blood flow velocities (CBFV), cerebral autoregulation, and microembolic signals (MES). The highest sensitivity (0.86, 95% CI 0.71-0.94) and specificity (0.75, 95% CI 0.52-0.94) for DCI prediction were achieved with a mean CBFV of 120 cm/s combined with a Lindegaard ratio. The transient hyperemic response test showed the best performance among autoregulatory biomarkers with a sensitivity of 0.88, (95% CI 0.54-0.98) and specificity of 0.82 (95% CI 0.52-0.94). MES were less effective predictors. Combining CBFV with autoregulatory biomarkers enhanced TCD's predictive value. High heterogeneity and risk of bias were noted, indicating the need for a standardized TCD approach for improved DCI evaluation. Conclusions Dynamic autoregulatory markers emerge as promising biomarkers to predict DCI. Within the velocity-based biomarkers, a mean flow velocity above 120 cm/s combined with a LR yielded the highest sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for the prediction of DCI. Standardization of TCD use is essential for better comparability of results. Conflict of interest Hanna Schenck: nothing to disclose, Céline van Craenenbroeck: nothing to disclose, Sander van Kuijk; nothing to disclose, Erik Gommer; nothing to disclose, Michael Veldeman; nothing to disclose, Yasin Temel; nothing to disclose, Marcel Aries; nothing to disclose, Werner Mess; nothing to disclose Roel Haeren; nothing to disclose