Stroke-induced cardiovascular changes: a rare cause of death from polyarteritis nodosa.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is an uncommon but well documented cause of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). We report a case of SAH in a patient with PAN causing death indirectly from the effects of resultant cardiovascular changes upon other manifestations of PAN. Clinicians should be aware of the systemic effects of SAH in patients with known vasculitides.