What pathways lead to arterial narrowing after aSAH?
Narrowing (vasospasm) of the angiographically visible cerebral arteries after aSAH is common, occurring most frequently 7 to 10 days after aneurysm rupture and resolving spontaneously after 21 days. The cascade of events culminating in arterial narrowing is initiated when oxyhemoglobin comes in contact with the abluminal side of the vessel. The pathways leading to arterial narrowing have been the focus of extensive basic research, but no effective preventive therapy has been developed to date.