Bring a list of all medications, contact numbers of personal physicians, and your health care proxy.

Cerebral aneurysms are generally not a familial or genetic disease and in most cases it is not recommend that family members be screened. In cases where there is a family history of aneurysms (two or more family members), it is recommended that all family members should consult with their physicians to receive non-invasive screenings, such as MRA or CTA.

Absolutely! Visitation hours are dependent on hospital rules and on the level of care.

Patients with unruptured aneurysms get out of bed on day one after treatment. Quick mobilization and early activity are critical parts of recovery.

Incisions after aneurysm surgery heal over a period of approximately 6 weeks. If you have stitches or staples, you will return to the surgeon’s office in a week to 10 days for removal. Some surgeons use dissolvable suture material, and in such circumstances, the stitches will dissolve over a period of weeks. After endovascular coiling, there is quick healing of the puncture site in the groin. If there is any pain or swelling in this area, contact your doctor immediately.

Yes, you will be provided with a clear set of instructions and prescriptions at the time of discharge.

Most aneurysms patients are off all pain medications within 1 – 3 weeks. Your internist will modulate other medications, for instance, anti-hypertensive drugs. After endovascular coiling, selected patients may be on “blood-thinners”, such as Plavix or aspirin.

After all sutures have been removed.

Early activity is the cornerstone of recovery. Most hospitals advocate, in conjunction with assistance from the physical therapy staff, early mobilization in the hospital and a program of home rehabilitation and physical therapy for the post-operative period. Every patient is different; the return to full activity after an aneurysm operation or aneurysm coiling is dependent on the condition of the patient prior to the treatment and immediately after treatment. Patients with unruptured aneurysms typically return to full activity over a period of 2 – 6 weeks, with fatigue being the major complaint.

In most situations, no. If there is a strong family history (two or more first degree relatives with a known cerebral aneurysm), it is possible to detect aneurysms in patients with non-invasive means prior to a rupture. Most aneurysms are asymptomatic.

If you are a heavy smoker and continue smoking, it is very possible. If you have polycystic kidney disease, fibromuscular dysplasia, or any other type of elastic tissue disorder, you may warrant screening throughout your lifetime. Otherwise, it is extremely unlikely you would develop another aneurysm. Patients who are quite young (under 40) may be candidates for follow-up imaging later in life. Please discuss with your physician.

It is extremely unlikely your eyesight will be affected, unless your aneurysm is in the location of the optic nerve or one near one of the cranial nerves such as posterior communicating artery. In such cases, visual disturbance may be temporary. Your physician will review all details pertinent to your situation.

The decision regarding the modality of treatment is dependent on many factors, including the age and condition of the patient, the size of the aneurysm, the shape of the aneurysm, and the location of the aneurysm. In many cerebrovascular centers, imaging (MRI/MRA, CTA and/or angiography) is reviewed by a multidisciplinary team including neurologists, neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists. They will review the films and then decide on the appropriate treatment modality, specifically for each patient and with each patient.

You should follow up with your doctor to monitor the coil mass with follow up MRA and angiography. In rare circumstances, aneurysms can partially open, requiring further intervention.

Yes, all titanium and platinum coils are MRI compatible. Titanium aneurysm clips are MRI compatible. Certain types of intracranial aneurysm clips (e.g., those made from martensitic stainless steels such as 17-7PH or 405 stainless steel) are an absolute contraindication to the use of MR procedures because excessive, magnetically induced forces can displace these clips and cause serious injury or death. By comparison, aneurysm clips classified as nonferromagnetic or weakly ferromagnetic (e.g., those made from Phynox, Elgiloy, austentitic stainless steels, titanium alloy, or commercially pure titanium) are safe for patients undergoing MR procedures. Make sure to check with your neurosurgeon, prior to MRI, if you have had surgery for a brain aneurysm (to confirm clip type). If you had clipping prior to the use of titanium, you should check with your neurosurgeon before MRI.

This frequently asked question has no specific answer and varies from patient to patient. Patients with unruptured aneurysms are usually instructed to wait about 10 days – 2 weeks after uncomplicated surgery before driving. Patients who have had unruptured aneurysms treated with endovascular coiling typically can drive sooner. Patients who have suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage may return to driving after clearance from both their neurosurgeon and neurologist.

A physical therapy program is tailored for each individual patient. Moderate activity after discharge is encouraged. Your doctors will advise you on the level of activity and how quickly you can increase the amount of exercise and sexual activity.

No.

This is specific for patients, their pre-treatment and post-treatment condition, and, of course, the demands of their job. Consult with your doctor.

Aneurysms are extremely rare in children. The average age for aneurysmal sub-arachnoid hemorrhage is approximately 55 years of age.

That is unknown. Aneurysms may slowly enlarge over time, yet the rate of growth is not completely understood. Some aneurysms, typically smaller aneurysms, may remain quiescent for decades.

Approximately 1½ – 3 hours.

Approximately 3 – 4 hours.

General endotracheal anesthesia is always used for surgical procedures and most often with coiling procedures. Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) is a specific anesthesia service in which an anesthesiologist has been requested to participate in the care of a patient undergoing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.

Monitored Anesthesia Care often includes the administration of doses of medications for which the loss of normal protective reflexes or loss of consciousness is likely.

Monitored Anesthesia Care refers to those clinical situations in which the patient remains able to protect the airway for the most of the procedure. If, for an extended period of time, the patient is rendered unconscious and/or loses normal protective reflexes, then anesthesia care shall be considered a general anesthetic. An attending anesthesiologist who is experienced in neuro-anesthesia is present at all times.

Most patients who have suffered a SAH are weaned off these medications in a few months. Very few patients need to be on these medications chronically. Frequently, a neurologist helps in the modulation of the dosages during the weaning process.

All treated aneurysm patients (endovascular coiling or microsurgical clipping) are monitored in the Intensive Care Unit in the immediate post-treatment period. The length of stay is dependent on whether or not the patient has had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and additionally in the presence of other medical and neurosurgical issues. Uncomplicated, unruptured aneurysms are usually in the ICU for 1 – 3 days after treatment.

Yes. After surgery, it is suggested you wait two months or longer depending on the healing of the incision.

No

Yes. Patients diagnosed with an aneurysm can fly. After surgery, patients should consult with their doctor at their follow up appointment.

This depends on your personal experience including medical and family history. After coiling, imaging follow-up (MRA, angiography) is necessary to confirm persistent occlusion 5 – 10 years after treatment. Sometimes, immediate postoperative angiographic follow up is performed after microsurgical clipping. Sometimes long-term follow up is recommended.

It may. A positive family history of aneurysms or subarachnoid hemorrhage increases the statistical risk associated with unruptured cerebral aneurysms.