Apolipoprotein E genotype in the subarachnoid hemorrhage population

INTRODUCTION The APOE4 allele has been associated with poor outcomes after acute neurologic injury. The purposes of this study are to describe (1) the APOE4 allele distribution in this population and (2) the relationship between APOE4 allele presence and outcomes. METHODS Inclusion criteria were: individuals age 18–75 with severe aneurysmal SAH and a CSF drainage system. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS Of the 87 subjects in this study, 21 (24.1%) had an APOE4 allele. Trends indicated that subjects with an APOE4 allele had less severe hemorrhage and better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The association between APOE å4 allele and outcome after SAH in this population appears to be opposite of that represented in the literature.