Elevated Hemoglobin Concentration Affects Acute Severe Head Trauma After Recovery from Surgery of Neurologic Function in the Tibetan Plateau

BACKGROUND: Long-lived inhabitants of the plateau region have a higher hemoglobin concentration, which is the leading cause of damage in various organs, especially the nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hemoglobin concentration on mortality and neural functions after decompressive craniectomy in patients with hypoxia. - METHODS: Patients with acute severe head trauma were classified into an elevated hemoglobin concentration group (EHb) and a moderate hemoglobin concentration group (MHb). The survival rate was evaluated by comparing the Glasgow Coma Score on days 1, 3, 7, and 15 after surgery (Kaplan-Meier survival curve). The Glasgow Outcome Scale classification method was used to evaluate recovery of neural function. RESULTS: The Glasgow Coma Score scores on days 3, 7, and 15 were lower in the EHb group compared with the MHb group (P < 0.05). Mortality was significantly higher in the EHb group compared with the MHb group (P < 0.05). After 6 months, the Glasgow Outcome Scale of the MHb group was significantly higher than that of the EHb group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated hemoglobin concentration has a serious impact on neurologic recovery and mortality, as seen in patients with acute severe head trauma after decompressive craniectomy.