Endovascular treatment and neurointensive care of ruptured aneurysms.

The acute management of aneurysmal SAH requires a comprehensive approach entailing acute critical care and stabilization, occlusion of the aneurysm, and intensive care management of acute neurologic complications. The development of endovascular treatment of aneurysms has added an important, less-invasive treatment to the regimen available in treating aneurysms. An integrated approach of providing critical care before, during, and after the occlusion of the aneurysm is an important concept that should be the goal. Debate and controversy remains regarding which aneurysms are best suited to endovascular treatment or to surgical treatment; an evolving experience and clinical trials will provide further guidance. Nonetheless, some aneurysms may require both surgery and endovascular treatment. Finally, close neurologic observation and directed specialized monitoring techniques are required for providing directed critical care in the acute period after SAH.