Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Analysis of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with High Frequency Transcranial Duplex Ultrasound
Published on: June 3, 2021
A study of possible correlation between subarachnoid haemorrhage related vasospasm and the post-bleed blood platelet
K-M Schebesch1, C Woertgen, A Brawanski
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. kalle.schebesch@web.de
Introduction:
There has been controversy about the aetiology and pathophysiology of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) related vasospasm. Several pathogenic factors like endothelin and adhesion molecules have been discussed. A recently published study concerning an exclusively Asian population suggested a relationship between SAH related vasospasm and the blood platelet count. The aim of our study was to examine this relationship in a European population.
Method:
We carefully reviewed 88 patients with aneurysmal SAH (54 females, 34 males; mean age 52.5 years, range from 22 to 78 years) treated in our centre with regard to the occurrence of vasospasm and the blood platelet count in a ten day interval after initial SAH. Symptomatic vasospasm was defined as a focal neurological deficit or deterioration in the level of consciousness with or without confirmation of infarction on a CT scan. Thirty-seven patients (42%) developed clinically relevant vasospasm.
Results:
There was no statistically significant correlation between the blood platelet count chart (maximum and minimum values) and vasospasm or clinical outcome; we also found no gender or age-related influence on the above mentioned relationships.
Conclusions:
In our opinion there appears to be a difference between Caucasian and Asian populations regarding the influence of platelets in the pathophysiology of SAH and vasospasm.
Related Concept Videos
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Vascular Spasm
Introduction to Hemostasis
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized, and...
