Complications after angiogram-negative subarachnoid haemorrhage: comparative study of pretruncal and nonpretruncal hemorrhage patients.

INTRODUCTION

Subarachnoid haemorrhages (SAH) of unknown aetiology usually have a mild clinical presentation, favourable outcome and low complication rate.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyse the complications in two forms of angiogram-negative spontaneous SAH: pretruncal (PNSAH) and nonpretruncal (NPNSAH).

METHODS

The study group involved 18 patients with PNSAH and 16 patients with NPNSAH. CT scan was done within 72 hours from bleeding. All patients underwent four-vessel cerebral angiography. Repeat angiography was performed in five PNSAH and all NPNSAH patients.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were in grade I or II of the Hunt-Hess Scale (17 PNSAH and 12 NPNSAH). There was one case of rebleeding (NPNSAH patient), 10 cases of transient acute hydrocephalus (4 PNSAH and 6 NPNSAH). Cerebral vasospasm visualized by angiographies in two NPNSAH patients was local and mild, but was not found in PNSAH patients. Acute electrocardiography changes were found in 19 patients (significantly more frequently in NPNSAH than in PNSAH, 12 and 7 patients, respectively; p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

Cardiac problems following these types of SAH are more frequent than expected, and therefore cardiac monitoring is necessary.