• V L Feigin, G J Rinkel, A Algra, and J van Gijn.
• Department of Neurology, University Hospital Utrecht, PO Box 85500, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3508 GA. g.j.e.rinkel@neuro.azu.nl
• Cochrane Db Syst Rev. 2000 Jan 1 (2): CD000483.

BackgroundPatients with subarachnoid haemorrhage who develop spasm of the cerebral arteries may suffer from delayed cerebral ischaemia. This may be exacerbated by reduced circulatory volume. Intravenous fluid therapy to expand the circulating volume might reduce the risk of delayed cerebral ischaemia and so reduce the risk of neurological disability.ObjectivesThe object of this review was to determine whether there is evidence that volume expansion therapy improves outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.Search StrategyThe Cochrane Stroke Group's Specialised Register was searched for trials relevant to this review (last searched: March 1999). Trialists were also contacted.Selection CriteriaAll randomized controlled trials of volume expansion therapy in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.Data Collection And AnalysisTwo reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed trial quality. Trialists were contacted to obtain missing information.Main ResultsTwo trials were identified. For one trial the decision about inclusion is pending because clinical data on follow up have not been provided yet. In the other trial, outcome assessment was done at the day of operation (7 to 10 days after subarachnoid haemorrhage); data on longer follow up have not been collected.Reviewer's ConclusionsThe effects of volume expansion therapy have not been studied properly in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. At present, there is no sound evidence for or against the use of volume expansion therapy in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

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