Occurrence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Rationale: Aneurysms of different types are known to be associated. In literature, concurrence of intracranial- and aortic aneurysms is described. Screening for aortic aneurysms (AA) in patients with intracranial aneurysms (IA) or aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) could be cost-effective and of significant importance to decrease morbidity and mortality. The available literature on the association between the two types of aneurysms is sparse and in general of poor methodological quality. This protocol presents a study to more adequately evaluate the association between IA and AA.

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in patients who experienced aSAH.

Study design: This single cohort prospective study will include patients who experienced aSAH. The study participants will receive an abdominal ultrasound of the aorta to detect an AAA.

Study population: aSAH patients from a prospective cohort trial in the Netherlands.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome, which will be investigated in the here above described study population, is the number of AAA detected on abdominal ultrasound.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Patients will not receive an intervention, but only a diagnostic imaging without radiation. The burden associated with this study are considered minimal and the risks negligible. An abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic method with no risks for the participant. The only possible existing burden to the participant is travel and appointment time with a risk of detecting an abdominal aortic aneurysm or other (occult) intra-abdominal pathologies. When an aneurysm, sub-aneurysm or other intra-abdominal pathology is detected, surveillance or treatment according to standard of care and guidelines will follow.