[Endovascular treatment of cerebral vasospasm due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage]

P P Alcázar1, A González, A Romance

  • 1Servicio de Radiología. Unidad de Neurorradiología Intervencionista. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves. Granada. España. ppalcazar@ya.com

Medicina Intensiva
|December 6, 2008
PubMed

Cerebral vasospasm remains a leading cause of death and disability in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. When vasospasm becomes refractory to maximal medical treatment, endovascular therapies may be considered as an option to increase cerebral blood flow to prevent cerebral infarction. Endovascular techniques include transluminal balloon angioplasty and intra-arterial infusion of vasorelaxants. This article reviews the various endovascular techniques for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm and discusses the mechanisms of action, techniques of administration, clinical results, and limitations of these treatment strategies.

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