Cerebral vasospasm

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2014 Jul;25(3):497-528. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2014.04.008.

Abstract

Cerebral vasospasm causes delayed ischemic neurologic deficits after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is a well-established clinical entity with significant associated morbidity and mortality. The underlying patholphysiology is highly complex and poorly understood. Large-vessel vasospasm, autoregulatory dysfunction, inflammation, genetic predispositions, microcirculatory failure, and spreading cortical depolarization are aspects of delayed neurologic deterioration that have been described in the literature. This article presents a perspective on cerebral vasospasm, as guided by the literature to date, specifically examining the mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of cerebral vasospasm.

Keywords: Cerebral vasospasm; Delayed ischemic neurologic injury; Neurologic deficits; Subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endovascular Procedures*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / complications
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / diagnosis*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / etiology
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / metabolism
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / therapy*

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents