Background and Purpose— Our aim was to describe variables associated with initial misdiagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We also analyzed the relationship of misdiagnosis with poor outcome and complications in good Hunt and Hess (HH) cases. Methods— In a prospective cohort of 401 patients with SAH, misdiagnosis was defined as failure to correctly identify, at first physician contact, a subsequently documented SAH; this meant no urgent radiological study and lumbar puncture was performed. Poor outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score 3 to 6 at 3-month follow-up. We recorded age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, previous antithrombotic treatment, initial HH and radiological severity, presence of aneurysm, first therapeutic procedure, hydrocephalus, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), rebleeding, and procedure-related complications. Results— Misdiagnosis was confirmed in 104/401 (25.9%) patients, who also had a longer time-to-admission to hospital. Misdiagnosis was associated with less clinical and radiological severity, compared with a correct diagnosis; the 2 groups did not differ in age or cardiovascular risk factor profile. Poor outcome was registered in 167/401 patients (41.6%). Age, misdiagnosis, and greater clinical and radiological initial severity were independent predictors of poor outcome. In the 236 patients (58.8% of cohort) with HH 1–2, misdiagnosis was associated with poor outcome in univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively (odds ratio=3.89; 95% CI, 1.89–8.01). Delayed cerebral ischemia (odds ratio=2.47; 95% CI, 1.2–5.09) and procedure-related complications (odds ratio=2.27; 95% CI, 1.07–4.82) were independently associated with misdiagnosis. Conclusions— Misdiagnosis is an unresolved problem in SAH, and it is a missed opportunity for good outcome in patients with HH 1–2. The poor outcome is partially explained by a higher risk of delayed cerebral ischemia and procedure-related complications in misdiagnosed patients. There is a need to improve the diagnostic strategy in patients reporting only a headache (HH 1–2) after SAH.

PurposeTo describe the efficacy and complications of treating cerebral aneurysms with the Flow Re-direction Endoluminal Device (FRED) and to identify predictors for aneurysm occlusion.MethodsA prospective observational registry including all consecutive aneurysms treated with FRED between December 2015 and July 2018 was designed in one therapeutic neuroangiography department. The primary endpoint for treatment efficacy was complete or near-complete occlusion (O’Kelly–Marotta (OKM) C–D), assessed by three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography. Major (all symptomatics) and minor complications were described and those with modified Rankin Scale scores 3–6 were considered clinically relevant. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of efficacy.ResultsA total of 185 aneurysms were analyzed in 150 patients (mean age 54.3±11.5 years). Mean follow-up was 18.99±11.32 months (range 0–43). Efficacy was evaluated in 156 (84.32%) cases: 132 (84.6%) had OKM C–D occlusion, 31/47 (66%) within the first year and 101/109 (92.7%) later on. Major complications were observed in 12 (6.5%) cases: three strokes (one transient ischemic accident, two minor strokes), six intra-stent thrombosis, and three with bleeding, but only one (0.5%) was clinically relevant. Minor complications (all asymptomatic) were observed in 10 (5.4%) cases: three shortening/repositioning of stent; two arterial dissection, two arterial occlusion, and three intra-stent stenosis. Independent predictors of occlusion were immediate OKM grade B–C–D (OR 4.01, 95% CI 1.51 to 10.62), single aneurysm (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.05 to 10.32), and small size aneurysm (OR 4.74, 95% CI 1.57 to 14.30).ConclusionThe FRED stent fully complied with efficacy and safety requirements for treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Three predictors of aneurysm occlusion were identified.

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