The management of delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a rare event affecting relatively young patients therefore leading to a high social impact. The management of SAH follows a biphasic course with early brain injuries in the first 72 hours followed by a phase at risk of secondary deterioration due to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in 20 to 30% patients. Cerebral infarction from DCI is the most preventable cause of mortality and morbidity after SAH. DCI prevention, early detection and treatment is therefore advocated. Formerly limited to the occurrence of vasospasm, DCI is now associated with multiple pathophysiological processes involving for instance the macrocirculation, the microcirculation, neurovascular units, and inflammation. Therefore, the therapeutic targets and management strategies are also evolving and are not only focused on proximal vasospasm. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of DCI pathophysiology. We then discuss the diagnosis strategies that may guide physicians at the bedside with a multimodal approach in the unconscious patient. We will present the prevention strategies that have proven efficient as well as future targets and present the therapeutic approach that is currently being developed when a DCI occurs. # 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a rare event with a high social impact on younger patients. The management of this condition involves addressing early brain injuries and preventing delayed cerebral ischemia, which is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. The understanding of the pathophysiology and strategies for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of delayed cerebral ischemia is evolving.