Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: prognostic features and outcomes.

The prognostic features and outcomes associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are reviewed. In the first section, the epidemiology of SAH is discussed with emphasis on prevalence, incidence, risk factors, heredity, activity, and seasonal variability. In the second section, the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with aneurysmal SAH is briefly reviewed. In the third section, the prognostic features associated with aneurysmal SAH are discussed with emphasis on neurologic condition and SAH grading scales, patient's age, aneurysm size and location, repeat hemorrhage, vasospasm, systemic disease, hypertensive response, computed tomograph features, hydrocephalus, timing of surgery, and expertise of the aneurysm center. Also in the third section, the prognostic features associated with unruptured aneurysms are discussed with emphasis on the actuarial risk of rupture, aneurysm size and location, and multiplicity of lesions. In the fourth and final section, the outcomes of aneurysmal SAH over the past 60 yrs are reviewed.