Hydrocortisone versus dexamethasone in cerebral salt-wasting after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSW) is frequently observed in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients and results in excessive natriuresis with decreased extracellular fluids, leading to hyponatremia and hypovolemia. Hyponatremia is associated with an increased complication rate and potential mortality. This study compares hydrocortisone and dexamethasone for CSW-associated hyponatremia prophylaxis after non-traumatic SAH. This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 510 consecutive patients with non-traumatic SAH who were admitted to the University Hospital of Münster, Germany, between October 2009 and December 2019. Hyponatremia was defined as blood sodium levels