Management of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Spontaneous non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), caused by the intracranial aneurysm rupture, is a severe cerebrovascular emergency. Cerebral and extracerebral complications are frequently associated to SAH and increase significantly the morbidity and mortality. SAH is a severe medical condition in which outcome can be considerably influenced by an early aggressive expert care. Guidelines have been recently published and offer a framework for treatment of SAH patients. The intensivists' role in the management of SAH victims is crucial and encompasses prompt diagnosis, identification, and treatment of intracranial (as hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension, metabolic and electric disturbances, vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia) along with extracranial complications (mainly cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine.). © 2013 Société de réanimation de langue française (SRLF) and Springer-Verlag France.