AIM: We set forth to identify predictors of symptomatic vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

MATERIAL and METHODS: We used multivariate logistic regression analysis of the prospective, hospital based, single center register of the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Debrecen, Hungary. Evaluated patients’ characteristics were: sex, age, Hunt-Hess grade on admission, location of aneurysm, thickness of blood clot on initial CT scan (Fisher grade), hypertension.

RESULTS: Between 1987 and 2004, 567 SAH cases were registered, 457 were included in this study. Symptomatic vasospasm developed in 22.5% of the cases. In univariate analysis, Hunt-Hess grades 2 and 3 and female sex were predictive for symptomatic vasospasm. In multivariate analysis, female sex remained a significant predictor: OR: 1.8 (1.005-3.2).

CONCLUSION: Women are at more danger of developing symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.