Reduced clot-stability during the first 6 hours after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage--a prospective case-control study

Early rebleeding is an important cause of death and disability following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Recent studies have shown that 50-90% of the rebleedings occurred within the first 6 hours after the primary bleeding. The mechanism leading to rebleeding remains to be established. In the present prospective case-control study we hypothesize that patients with SAH develop a coagulopathy characterized by reduced clot stability during the early period after the initial bleeding.