HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED COMPLICATIONS OF ANEURYSMAL SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

Abstract

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-threatening neurological emergency with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, hospital-acquired complications remain a significant contributor to adverse outcomes in aSAH patients. Understanding the frequency and pattern of these complications is essential for improving patient care and outcomes. Objective: To assess the frequency of hospital-acquired complications in patients with aSAH and to compare the findings with existing literature to identify areas for potential improvement in patient management. Study Design: Descriptive observational study. Setting: Neurology Department, Fouji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Duration of Study: The study was conducted from 11-09-2024 to 11-03-2025. Methods: A total of 107 patients aged 18 to 75 years with confirmed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included. The diagnosis was based on clinical presentation and neuroimaging. Data collected included patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, and the incidence of hospital-acquired complications. Complications observed included hydrocephalus, mechanical ventilation requirement, symptomatic vasospasm, and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Descriptive statistics were applied using SPSS software to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of patients was 46.29 ± 16.86 years, with females comprising 53.3% of the cohort. The most common hospital-acquired complications were hydrocephalus (51.4%), need for mechanical ventilation (42.1%), symptomatic vasospasm (34.6%), and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) (20.6%). Conclusion: Hospital-acquired complications are prevalent among patients with aSAH, particularly hydrocephalus, symptomatic vasospasm, and DCI, which significantly influence clinical outcomes. These findings emphasize the need for early identification and proactive management of complications to improve prognosis and reduce morbidity in aSAH patients. Further studies with a larger sample size and multicenter data are recommended for broader applicability.