Effect of magnesium sulfate therapy on patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage using serum S100B protein as a prognostic marker.

Magnesium, one of the essential trace elements, plays important roles in maintaining both normal cellular and body functions. S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) has been used as a marker of glial damage in several neurological disorders. Thirty patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms treated by clipping are included. The patients were randomized within 4 days after the attack of hemorrhage. The patients were divided into two groups with 15 patients in each group. Group I received magnesium infusion within 4 days. Group II is the control group. World Federation of Neurological Surgeons, Fisher, and Glasgow outcome scores are evaluated at an intensive care unit in addition to 3 months clinical follow-up evaluation. Samplings of serum S100B were performed on admission and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. There is a statistically significant difference between both groups as regards the second reading of the S100B (day 1 postoperative; P < 0.05). There is no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards outcome at 3 months using clinical status and S100B values. There is a tendency in the magnesium group to have better outcomes. Further studies with more number of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage are needed to determinate the accuracy of S100B protein as a prognostic marker and of magnesium sulfate as a neuroprotector.