Treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage

Treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage

ABCDE

Intubation if necessary. Low threshold for ITU involvement

Supportive therapy

Fluids, controlled oxygen

Keep platelets over 100

Early discussion with neurosurgery (see below)

Reverse anticoagulation no matter what the indication for it

Rapid treatment of BP is not recommended. Keep systolic under 180 or MAP under 130. Aiming for systolic<140 (NEJM 2013).

If BP contol is needed acutely, ITU for labetolol is appropriate

Nimodipine 60mg 4hrly for everyone (prevents vasospasm)

Reduce dose to 30mg 4 hourly if bP 100-140; withold of BP under 100

If vasospasm occurs (stroke-like syndrome) consider:

3H treatment (hypertension, hypervolaemia and haemodilution)