Monitoring of volume status after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Hypovolemia is common after subarachnoid hemorrhage, and fluid imbalance negatively affects clinical outcome. Standard bedside volume measures fail to adequately assess fluid status after subarachnoid hemorrhage. An electronic literature search of original research studies evaluating fluid status after subarachnoid hemorrhage was conducted for English language articles published through October 2010. Sixteen articles were included in this review, with seven articles produced by two research groups. These studies highlight that fluid status is often affected and difficult to assess after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both non-invasive and invasive monitors may be used to more accurately define volume status.