A two-year survey of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the demographic characteristics and outcomes of patients with rupture of an intracranial aneurysm--to make a comparison with other published results, and to determine whether improvements in management can be made.

DESIGN

A retrospective review of the records of a consecutive series of 102 patients admitted to a neurosurgical unit in 1988 and 1989.

SETTING

The Royal Brisbane Hospital neurosurgical unit.

PATIENTS

Sixty-three women and 39 men with subarachnoid haemorrhage after rupture of an intracranial aneurysm.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-three patients achieved independence and 32 died. Of those 78 patients who were able to be offered surgery, 60 (77%) became independent. The outcome was significantly influenced by the neurological condition of the patient on admission to hospital (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSION

A speedier referral of these patients to a neurosurgical unit may lead to an improvement in outcome.