[Epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of subarachnoid hemorrhage in Segovia]

Abstract

Introduction: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a disorder commonly seen as a neurological emergency, with an incidence of 11-19/100,000 persons; 12% of the patients die without seeking medical attention, 63% die during the first year and 72% during the first five years.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic factors of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Patients and methods: We made a retrospective study of the cases of primary subarachnoid hemorrhage occurring in the province of Segovia between January 1993 and November 1997. The patients presented with a clinical history compatible with subarachnoid hemorrhage which was confirmed by cranial CT and/or lumbar puncture. Angiography of the supra-aortic trunks was done to detect vascular malformations. The patients were classified according to clinical grades on the criteria of Hunt and Hess.

Results: There were 54 primary subarachnoid hemorrhages (29 men and 25 women); the average age was 59 years. The average annual incidence was 7/100,000 persons; 59% were at Hunt and Hess stage I-II. Headache was the presenting symptom in 67% of the patients. The patients with normal CT scans (20%) were of lower clinical grade and consulted later; 4% had further bleeding and all these died. There were associated neurological complications in 46% and systemic complications in 28%. Of the 44 arteriographies done, in 14 there were positive findings, 11 aneurysms (five were embolized and five treated surgically), and three arteriovenous malformations (two treated surgically). On discharge 7% had severe neurological sequelae. Mortality during the acute phase was 13%.

Conclusions: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is still a serious condition, with a high rate of mortality during the acute phase (13%) and of sequelae (20%). The clinical grade and cranial CT findings were the main factors in prognosis.