Endovascular Therapy Outcomes for Cerebral Vasospasm in Poor-Grade Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The impact of endovascular therapy (EVT) on outcomes in World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) grade ≥ 4 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains unclear.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 80 patients with WFNS grade ≥ 4 aSAH and secondary vasospasm treated between 2010 and 2023. EVT included intra-arterial vasodilators and/or balloon angioplasty. The primary outcome was favorable functional status at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale 0-3). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between EVT and outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, and time-to-aneurysm securement.

EVT was performed in 77.5% of patients (n = 62). Favorable outcomes occurred in occurred in 42.5% of all patients (n = 34), and were significantly more frequent in the EVT group (48.4% versus 22.2%; p = 0.038). EVT was independently associated with greater odds of favorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-8.85; p = 0.030) and reduced mortality (aOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.82; p = 0.023). Early aneurysm treatment (≤ 12 h) also independently predicted favorable outcomes (aOR 2.38, p = 0.044) and lower mortality (aOR 0.42, p = 0.045).

Among patients with poor-grade aSAH and vasospasm, EVT was independently associated with improved functional outcomes and survival. These findings challenge historical nihilism and support timely, aggressive endovascular intervention as a critical component of care in this high-risk population.