Comparison of radiological versus clinical cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: is vasospasm always present?

Objectives Radiological and clinical cerebral vasospasm (CV) is defined either as a delayed narrowing of cerebral arteries after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) or/and occurrence of new neurological deficit/worsening of Modified Glasgow coma score for 2 or more points. The objective of this study is to determine the presence and correlation between clinical and radiological presence of vasospasm in patients with aSAH. Methods This study was designed as a clinical, prospective single center study at the Clinic of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia. A total of 50 patients was included in the study after having radiologically confirmed aSAH. Intensity and region of CV was determined by CT and CTA performed both on admission and on day 9 of hospitalization, except for cases where clinical protocol required earlier imaging due to occurrence of clinical signs and symptoms of CV. In all patients, values of arterial blood pressure (PABP), headache (HA), body temperature (PBT), nonspecific behaviors (NSB), deterioration of consciousness (DC), new neurological deficit (NND), deterioration of two points or more per modified Glasgow Coma Scale (DmGCS >= 2) were monitored. Results CTA showed angiographic vasospasm detected in 100% patients with aSAH. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between the intensity of radiological CV and appearance of NND and DmGCS >= 2. Conclusions This study confirms that CV always follows aSAH. Future research into pathophysiology of CV is needed in order to determine exact treatment strategies and targets so treatment towards zero mortality can be achieved.