Relationship between bleeding risk and arterial stiffness in patients with cerebral aneurysms

A comprehensive risk factor assessment evaluating the susceptibility of cerebral aneurysms (CAs) to rupture has not yet been established. Therefore, the clinical management of unruptured CAs remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess whether arterial stiffness was associated with rupture risk in patients with CAs.

Following magnetic resonance angiography, 49 patients with CAs and subarachnoid haemorrhage and ruptured CAs (confirmed via digital subtraction angiography) were included in the study. Arterial stiffness was measured using the VaSera VS-1000 vascular scanning system and expressed as cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) values. The CAVI values were compared between the patient groups.

The mean age of the cerebrovascular aneurysm group was 51 ± 11 years, while that of the cerebrovascular aneurysmal haemorrhage group was 58 ± 12 (p = 0.308) years. Left and right CAVI values were significantly higher in the cerebrovascular aneurysm group (p < 0.05 for both). The CAVI values were positively correlated with haemorrhagic CA (p < 0.05).

This study revealed that increased arterial stiffness was associated with an increased risk of haemorrhage in patients with CAs. This result demonstrates the importance of evaluating arterial stiffness as an informative parameter for treatment and follow-up decisions in patients with CAs.