Management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage 17 years after the ISAT trial: a survey of current practice in the UK and Ireland

Abstract

Introduction: In the last two decades and driven by the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT), the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) has undergone extensive change from predominantly neurosurgical (clipping) to predominantly neuroradiological (coiling) treatment. In 2013, the UK’s national Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) recommended aSAH to be definitively treated within 48h of ictus. The aim of this survey was to assess how this recommendation is being followed across the UK and Ireland 17 years after ISAT and 6 years after the NCEPOD.

Methods: An online survey consisting of 9 questions was electronically distributed to neurosurgical consultants and trainees. Missing or ambivalent data was collected or verified by emailing consultant neurosurgeons to ensure the coverage of all 32 neurosurgical units in the UK and Ireland.

Results: Only 9 (28%) of units provide 7 days a week interventional neuroradiology service, but all 32 (100%) units have established networks with other neuroradiology centres to provide aSAH treatment within 48h of ictus assuming no delays in patient transfer. For aSAH patients requiring neurosurgical clipping, 27 (84%) of units provide (locally or through networks) aneurysm repair within 48h of ictus, whereas 5 (16%) units may breach this recommendation by keeping the aSAH patients that present after 5PM on Fridays and delaying their clipping to the subsequent Monday.

Conclusion: Assuming no delays in patient transfer, 32 (100%) neurosurgical centres in the UK and Ireland meet the <48h ictus-to-treatment target for endovascular coiling and 27 (84%) units for neurosurgical clipping of aSAH.

Keywords:

• ISAT trial
• neurovascular surgery
• national survey

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the neurosurgical consultants and trainees who completed the questionnaire as part of this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.