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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

A Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: November 21, 2013
Intracranial pressure after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Tommaso Zoerle1, Alessandra Lombardo, Angelo Colombo
11Neuroscience ICU, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 2Department of Pathophysiology and Transplants, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 3Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy. 4Neurosurgery Division, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
High intracranial pressure is common after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, particularly in severe cases. While elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) correlates with mortality, it does not independently predict poor outcomes at six months.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a critical neurological emergency.
- Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a frequent and serious complication following aSAH.
- Understanding ICP dynamics is crucial for managing severe brain injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize mean intracranial pressure (ICP) patterns post-aSAH.
- To identify clinical factors linked to increased ICP.
- To investigate the association between ICP and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 116 patients with aSAH requiring ICP monitoring.
- Analysis of mean ICP at 12-hour intervals and episodes exceeding 20 mm Hg.
- Multivariable logistic regression models used to assess predictors of mortality and outcome.
Main Results:
- 81% of patients experienced high ICP episodes; 36% had a mean ICP > 20 mm Hg.
- Peak ICP occurred around day 3 post-aSAH.
- Elevated ICP was associated with initial neurological status, rebleeding, CT blood volume, and early ischemic lesions, and correlated with higher mortality.
Conclusions:
- High ICP is a prevalent complication in the first week after severe aSAH in ICU settings.
- Mean ICP reflects early brain injury severity and is linked to mortality.
- ICP is not an independent predictor of unfavorable outcomes at 6 months.
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