title: Pre-existing arterial hypertension in subarachnoid haemorrhage: an unfavourable prognostic factor.
abstract: In the Danish Aneurysm Study 1,076 patients were admitted with an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the 5-year period 1978-83. Pre-existing arterial hypertension, defined by the necessity for antihypertensive treatment at the time of admission was identified in 155 patients (15%). Nine hundred and two (85%) were normotensive. Nineteen patients were excluded because of inadequate information. Comparisons between the hypertensive and normotensive groups of patients showed no significant differences in sex-distribution, onset and course of the initial insult, results of primary CT-scan, location, size and numbers of aneurysms, number of rebleedings, and also in neurological symptoms, mental status, accommodation and occupation at a 2-year follow-up examination. The hypertensive group differed significantly in the following variables from the normotensive group. The median age was 8 years older (55 and 47 years of age respectively); a fewer number of patients fell into Hunt grade I-II on admission (34% and 43% respectively); an increased frequency of extracranial (23% and 13% respectively) and intracranial (35% and 18%, respectively) atherosclerosis was seen on angiography; a fewer number of patients underwent operation (48% and 66%, respectively); and at the 2-year follow-up examination an increased rate of overall mortality was evident (59% and 42%, respectively). There was an increased rate of mortality in patients in Hunt grade I-II on admission (52% and 22%, respectively) and an increased rate of mortality in patients who rebled (100% and 75%, respectively). Pre-existing arterial hypertension is an unfavourable prognostic factor after an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen Municipal Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Eskesen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenørn
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rønde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology