Disseminated intravascular coagulation as a complication of ruptured intracranial aneurysms

Two patients with recently ruptured intracranial aneurysms underwent surgical repair of these vascular lesions. Postoperatively, they showed clinical and laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In both patients severe cerebral ischemic complications occurred. In one case the ischemic complications and the hematological changes were successfully reversed. This syndrome is a potential complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which requires prompt diagnosis and appropriate management. The relationship between hematological changes suggesting DIC and the ischemic complications of SAH should be extensively investigated.