Dr. Chandril Chugh, Sr. Consultant & Head – Interventional Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket 

Hemorrhagic stroke surge for an immediate attention to prevent casualties. Depending on the cause of hemorrhage and the clinical condition of the patient, timely treatment can help not only in preventing mortality but the patient can also lead a better quality of life.

Hemorrhagic strokes refer to a condition where the damaged blood vessel leaks blood into the brain and is classified as intracerebral(blood leakage in the brain) and subarchanoid(blood leakage around the brain tissues). Various causes of hemorrhage inclue Aneurysms, Arterio Venous Malformation(AVM), tumors, fistula and other blood pressure related ailments. Interventional Neurology techniques have evolved tremendously in the last decade and with the advent of new devices, the treatment of aneurysms and AVMs has become much safer and effective.  In this era of minimally invasive neurological procedures provide patients with safer and effective treatment modalities so that they can go home early to their families.

It is often seen that many seemingly healthy person dies suddenly in sleep, that people consider to be suicide. But the reason could be attributed to brain bleeding. There are almost 5-6 Lakh casualties annually worldwide caused by rupturing of the aneurysm causing bleeding in the brain. Over 50% of the victims are found to be under the age of 50 years and the risk of development of such cases are two times higher in women in comparison to men.  Smoking, high blood pressure, and a family history of brain aneurysms seem to further increase a woman's risk of developing this potentially fatal condition.

Minimally invasive approach is available in which a Neurointerventionist treats the aneurysm by endovascular means from leg blood vessel avoiding an open surgery. A microcatheters (a very thin tube) is placed into the brain aneurysms through the leg blood vessel which is then occluded using specialized coils. This procedure is known as coiling which ensures minimal injury to the healthy brain and has better outcomes. 

Approximately half of all aneurysm ruptures. And often, only rupturing will provide clues of its existence. A sudden, explosive headache - often described as the "worst headache of the patient's life" - is the cardinal symptom of a burst aneurysm. But many people walk around with silent aneurysms for years. A number of factors can contribute to weakness in an artery wall and increase the risk of a brain aneurysm. Brain aneurysms are more common in adults than in children and more common in women than in men. Some of these risk factors develop over time; others are present at birth.