Complications of subarachnoid haemorrhage

Complications of subarachnoid haemorrhage

Death

Persistent neurological deficit

Re-bleeding

Larger aneurysms, HTN, age, smoking and multiple aneurysms all predict this.

Vasospasm

Leading to delayed cerebral ischaemia (hence nimodipine)

Most common at three days, can happen up to two weeks

Ealry clipping or coiling does NOT get rid of this

Epilepsy (in 5%)

Give antiepileptics if seizures, tapering down over 6 months if seizure-free

Raised intracranial pressure

Treat with mannitol

Hyponatraemia

Can be SIADH (treatment being fluid restriction) or cerebral salt-wasting (treatment being isotonic saline). May be difficult to distinguish