How to diagnose delayed cerebral ischaemia and symptomatic vasospasm and prevent cerebral infarction in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) complicates the clinical course of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in 20--30% and substantially worsens outcome. In this review, we describe a multimodal diagnostic approach based on underlying mechanisms of DCI and provide treatment options with a special focus on the most recently published literature.

RECENT FINDINGS: Symptomatic vasospasm refers to clinical deterioration in the presence of vasospasm whereas DCI constitutes multiple causes. Pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying DCI range beyond large vessel vasospasm from neuroinflammation, to microthromboembolism, impaired cerebral autoregulation, cortical spreading depolarizations and many others. The current definition of DCI can be challenged by these mechanisms. We propose a pragmatic approach using a combination of clinical examination, cerebral ultrasonography, neuroimaging modalities and multimodal neuromonitoring to trigger therapeutic interventions in the presence of DCI. In addition to prophylactic nimodipine and management principles to improve oxygen delivery and decrease the brain metabolic demand, other specific interventions include permissive hypertension, intra-arterial application of calcium channel blockers and in selected patients angioplasty.

SUMMARY: The complex pathophysiology underlying DCI urges for a multimodal diagnostic approach triggering targeted interventions. Novel treatment concepts still have to be proven in large trials.