Aspirin for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Harmful or Helpful?

Widespread use of neuroimaging and improvements in imaging techniques have facilitated the identification of small, unruptured intracranial aneurysms and ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD). Whereas the vast majority of small aneurysms do not rupture and are suitable for conservative management, standard therapy for ICVD often includes aspirin, which can increase the risk for hemorrhage. Some data suggest that short-term aspirin use could increase risks for aneurysm rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage, but other data suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin could actually help prevent aneurysm rupture.

To examine this issue further, researchers followed consecutive adult patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (<7 mm…