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CT angiography (often called "CTA " �) or magnetic resonance angiography (often called "MRA " �) " � These tests use special types of CT and MRI scans to create pictures of the blood vessels in the brain. Doctors use a dye injection in CTA, and sometimes in MRA. The dye is a chemical that makes blood vessels show up more clearly.Catheter angiography " � For this test, the doctor puts a thin tube into a large artery in your leg. Then the doctor moves the tube into the large blood vessels that carry blood to your head. Next the doctor injects a dye into the tube that shows up on an X-ray. The dye can show problems with the blood vessels in the brain.
How is a subarachnoid hemorrhage treated? " � Most people who have a subarachnoid hemorrhage go to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital for treatment. In the hospital, the doctor might: � �
- Give medicines and other treatments to reduce the brain damage caused by the bleeding
- Give medicines to lower blood pressure if it is too high
- Stop medicines that thin the blood, such as aspirin or warfarin (brand names: Coumadin, Jantoven). If you take blood-thinning medicines, your doctor might give you treatments to help your blood clot. This can help stop bleeding.
- Do tests to figure out the cause of the bleeding
- Watch the pressure in the brain to make sure it does not get too high
If an aneurysm caused the subarachnoid hemorrhage, doctors must do surgery or another procedure to keep the bleeding from happening again. Depending on the size and location of the aneurysm, they might: � �
- Do surgery to put a small clip on the aneurysm.
- Put tiny coils in the aneurysm. (This is done during a catheter angiography procedure.)
After a subarachnoid hemorrhage, most people stay in the ICU for a few days, weeks, or sometimes longer. Doctors and nurses watch for problems such as: � �
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Blood clots in the legs
- Lung infections
- Electrolytes out of balance " � Electrolytes are chemicals in the body that must be present in the right amounts for your body to work correctly
What will my life be like? " � A subarachnoid hemorrhage is very serious. Many people die from this type of stroke. Many people who survive " � but not all " � have long lasting health problems afterwards. � �
People who have severe subarachnoid hemorrhages can have certain health problems later, such as: � �
- Memory problems
- Mood changes or problems with emotions
- Thinking problems
- Trouble speaking, walking, or doing other activities
For some people, these problems can be disabling. For others, they might not exist or cause only mild problems. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 17180 Version 2.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
figure 1
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke. It causes bleeding around the brain. The bleeding happens between the brain and the thin layer of tissue that covers it.
Graphic 61435 Version 1.0
View Originalfigure 1
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke. It causes bleeding around the brain. The bleeding happens between the brain and the thin layer of tissue that covers it.
Graphic 61435 Version 1.0
View Original
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