When a blood vessel just outside the brain bursts, the space surrounding the brain (the subarachnoid space) fills with blood. This condition is called subarachnoid hemorrhage, and is usually due to an aneurysm. This bleeding may irritate nearby blood vessels that can become very narrow, a condition known as cerebral vasospasm. This vasospasm can starve the brain of oxygen, and therefore damage parts of the brain similar to a stroke. Cerebral vasospasm is a delayed event after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, with a usual peak from days 7 to 9 after a bleed. It usually affects the large arteries near the ruptured aneurysm.
Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition
department
Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center
A comprehensive stroke center within the Department of Neurology providing advanced stroke treatment for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke with expert cerebrovascular care.
department
Neurology
A department providing specialized evaluation and treatment for a wide range of brain and nerve conditions, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, headaches, memory loss…