New Guidelines for Evaluation and Treatment of Unruptured Aneurysms

An update from 2000 includes evidence on coiling versus clipping.

Sponsoring Organization: American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA)

Target Audience: Neurologists, radiologists, emergency physicians, primary care clinicians

Background and Objective

Intracranial aneurysms are the leading cause of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). An estimated 3% of the general population has an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). The AHA/ASA has updated its recommendations from 2000 for the diagnosis and treatment of UIAs.

Key Points

Patients with UIAs should be counseled regarding smoking cessation and should monitor blood pressure and undergo treatment for hypertension. (Class I, Level B)
Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are useful for the dete…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke