Risk factors and outcome of seizures after spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Background and purpose: Seizures are important neurologic complications of spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A better understanding of the risk factors of seizures following aneurysmal SAH is needed to predict those who will require treatment. Methods: A total of 137 adult patients were enrolled in this two‐year retrospective study. Baseline prognostic variables were analyzed based on Cox’s proportional hazards model after a minimum of one‐year follow‐up. Results: Seizures occurred in 21 patients who had SAH, including acute symptomatic seizures in 11.7% (16/137) and unprovoked seizures in 3.6% (5/137). None progressed to status epilepticus during hospitalization. After a minimum of one‐year follow‐up, the mean Glasgow Outcome Score was 3.5 ± 1.4 for patients with seizures and 3.1 ± 1.1 for those without. Conclusions: Higher mean World Federation of Neurological Societies grade on presentation was predictive of seizure, but seizure itself was not a significant prognostic predictor after a minimum of one‐year follow‐up. Regarding potential side effects of anti‐epileptic drugs, anti‐epileptic therapy should be carefully administered to patients with seizures after aneurysmal SAH.