Relationship between intracranial pressure and the development of vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 1998 Nov;38(11):710-5; discussion 716-7. doi: 10.2176/nmc.38.710.

Abstract

The relationship between intracranial pressure (ICP) and the development of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm was investigated. Eleven patients were divided into high (6 cases) and low (5 cases) ICP groups based on ICP data obtained during the perioperative period by continuous ICP monitoring. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was performed every 24 hours for 7 days and the severity, distribution, and duration of vasospasm were assessed. The high ICP group tended to have severe, prolonged, and diffuse vasospasm compared with the low ICP group. However, only duration of vasospasm was statistically different. The relationship between cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and the development of vasospasm was also examined. CPP had a less significant effect than ICP although similar tendencies for high ICP and low CPP were observed. High ICP worsens vasospasm and treatment for decreasing ICP with perioperative ICP monitoring has potential for avoiding the development of vasospasm.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / complications*
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / physiopathology
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / surgery
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / complications*
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / physiopathology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / surgery
  • Intracranial Hypertension / complications*
  • Intracranial Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Intracranial Hypertension / prevention & control
  • Intracranial Hypertension / surgery
  • Intracranial Pressure
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / diagnostic imaging
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / etiology*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Rupture, Spontaneous
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
  • Ventriculostomy