Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is related to unfavorable outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There lacks a clear understanding how the DCI load affects cognitive function after SAH. We conducted a literature review on the clinical classification systems on brain hemorrhages and cerebral infarction and devised a Delayed Cerebral Infarction Load Scoring System (DCI Score). DCI Score significantly correlated with Symbol Digit Modalities Test (-0.334, p = 0.032), Color Trail Test (-0.310, p = 0.032), Hong Kong List Learning Test (-0.318, p = 0.036), Verbal Digit Span Forward (-0.382, p = 0.017), and Visual Digit Span Backward (-0.425, p = 0.012). In conclusion, higher DCI load impacted significantly on memory and executive function. DCI Score is a useful system for clinical quantification of DCI load and clinical research.
Keywords: Cognitive function; Delayed cerebral infarction; Stroke; Subarachnoid hemorrhage.