Current and future treatment considerations in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

J Pharm Pract. 2010 Oct;23(5):408-24. doi: 10.1177/0897190010372334. Epub 2010 Aug 12.

Abstract

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a type of hemorrhagic stroke that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Although guidelines have been published to help direct the care of these patients, there is insufficient quality literature regarding the medical and pharmacological management of patients with aSAH. Treatment is divided into 3 categories: supportive therapy, prevention of complications, and treatment of complications. There are numerous pharmacological therapies that are targeted at prevention and treatment of the neurological and medical complications that may arise. Rebleeding, hydrocephalus, cerebral vasospasm, and seizures are the most common neurological complications while the most common medical complications include hyponatremia, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmias, neurogenic stunned myocardium, fever, anemia, infection, hyperglycemia, and venous thromboembolism. Risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, as well as initial management, prevention, and treatment of complications will be the focus of this discussion.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / trends
  • Disease Management
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnosis
  • Hydrocephalus / physiopathology
  • Hydrocephalus / therapy
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / diagnosis
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / physiopathology
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / therapy

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers