A population-based study of prognosis of ruptured cerebral aneurysm: mortality and recurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the risk of recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), mortality, and relative survivorship following SAH caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysm (RCA).


METHODS
The 86 individuals with a first diagnosis of SAH caused by RCA in Iceland from 1958 through 1968 were followed a minimum of 24 years (range, 24 to 32.5 years) or until death to determine mortality and to identify those with recurrent SAH.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients (44%) died within 30 days of the index event. Two additional (both comatose from onset of ictus) died in the following month. There were no deaths between 3 and 6 months after onset. Based upon the age/gender-specific person years of observation for the population of Iceland, the Standardized Mortality Ratio for the 44 surgically treated patients surviving 6 months was 1.3. Those neurologically normal or with only mild impairment at 6 months had no identified increase in mortality. Excess mortality that was limited to individuals with severe neurologic deficit at 6 months could be identified through the first 10 years after onset. Two 6-month survivors experienced recurrent SAH.


CONCLUSIONS
Early mortality is high (47%) in patients with RCA. In patients operated on for RCA and surviving 6 months, recurrent SAH occurred in 5%. Survivorship among patients surgically treated and neurologically normal or with mild residual neurologic impairment at 6 months following presentation was similar to that expected in the general population. Survivorship among patients surgically treated who had severe residual neurologic impairment at 6 months was significantly reduced.
Olafsson
E
E
National University Hospital, University of Iceland, Reykjavik.
Hauser
W A
WA
Gudmundsson
G
G
D000328:Adult; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis