[Trends in mortality rates for subarachnoid hemorrhage, from 1999 through 2008: single center experience]

We retrospectively reviewed the mortality rate of the patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who received initial treatment in Kurashiki Central Hospital, for the 10-year period from 1999 through 2008. The overall mortality was 18.1% (120/662). The average fatality rate in such cases has shown a decreasing trend, from 24.2% in 1999-2002 to 15.9% in 2005-2008 (p=0.016). Transition in initial diagnostic modality from the time-consuming digital subtraction angiography to the less-invasive computed tomographic angiography, appropriate indication for the operation, and improvement in postoperative management might affect this decline in fatality cases.