Endovascular management of acute subarachnoid haemorrhage in the elderly

The objective of this study was to analyse the technical and clinical outcome in elderly patients receiving endovascular treatment for acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The case notes and angiograms of 14 patients over the age of 69 years undergoing endovascular treatment for subarachnoid haemorrhage within the Interventional Neuroradiology Unit, Royal Perth Hospital over a period of 6 years were retrospectively reviewed. The degree of angiographic occlusion achieved, and periprocedural, short-term and long-term clinical outcome were retrospectively assessed. Greater than 90% occlusion was obtained in 92% of cases. 82% of patients with Hunt and Hess grade I and II had an excellent clinical outcome. We conclude that endovascular coiling is an effective means of treating acute subarachnoid haemorrhage in grade I and II elderly patients.