Object During a 5-year period 317 patients presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were successfully treated by coil embolization within 30 days of hemorrhage. The authors followed these cases to assess the stability of aneurysm occlusion and its longer-term efficacy in protecting patients against rebleeding. Methods These cases were followed for 6 to 65 months (median 22.3 months) by clinical review, angiography performed at 6 months posttreatment, and annual postal questionnaires. Conclusions Stable angiographic occlusion was evident in 86.4% of small and 85.2% of large aneurysms with recurrent filling in 38 (14.7%) of 259 aneurysms. Rebleeding was caused by aneurysm recurrence in four patients (between 11 and 35 months posttreatment) and by rupture of a coincidental untreated aneurysm in one patient. Annual rebleeding rates were 0.8% in the 1st year, 0.6% in the 2nd year, and 2.4% in the 3rd year after aneurysm embolization, with no rebleeding in subsequent years. Rebleeding occurred in three (7.9%) of 38 recurrent aneurysms and in one (0.4%) of 221 aneurysms that appeared stable on angiography. Periodic follow-up angiography after coil embolization is recommended to identify aneurysm recurrence and those patients at a high risk of late rebleeding.

Periodic follow-up angiography after coil embolization is recommended to identify aneurysm recurrence and those patients at a high risk of late rebleeding.

The interval between endovascular treatment and SAH did not affect periprocedural morbidity rates or 6-month outcomes. Coil embolization should therefore be performed as early as possible after aneurysmal SAH, to prevent aneurysmal rerupture.

The interval between endovascular treatment and SAH did not affect periprocedural morbidity rates or 6-month outcomes. Coil embolization should therefore be performed as early as possible after aneurysmal SAH, to prevent aneurysmal rerupture.

We describe the development and design of a database for auditing patients with intracranial aneurysms and their endovascular treatment. The database has been used since 1992. Our department's version now contains records of over 800 patients and well over 1,000 aneurysms. The advantages of a relational database for this type of audit are discussed. Copies of the software can be obtained free of charge from the authors.