There are many factors which may affect an aneurysm prognosis, primarily the patient’s age and general health. Other factors include the size of the aneurysm and whether or not it has burst or ruptured, or if there are any risk factors which may cause it to rupture. The treatments required for each patient may also play a role in the prognosis, since some methods carry more risks than others.
The overall aneurysm prognosis for small aneurysms that have not burst is generally very good. When they are not large enough to put pressure on surrounding nerves, there are usually no symptoms and oftentimes treatment is not necessary. Many patients will only need to go for regular visits to ensure that the aneurysm has not grown or begun to bleed into the brain, but in a large number of cases it remains the same year after year without causing any damage. Most times, these varieties are only discovered during an exam for an unrelated condition or set of symptoms.
Aneurysm prognosis for large or giant aneurysms is slightly less positive, although many patients are still able to live a full life. There are treatments available which can remove them, although some carry post-operative risk factors like artery damage or stroke. Most times, however, they are effective at removing the aneurysms. One method, for instance, clamps off the blood flow to the area and the aneurysm shrivels and eventually dies off. Some rehabilitation and neurological damage may still be present, but many patients recover fully over time.
If a rupture has already taken place, aneurysm prognosis is much bleaker. Risks of a ruptured aneurysm include bleeding into the brain, artery damage, stroke, and death. A little less than half of people who have a burst aneurysm will die within 24 hours. A quarter of victims will die due to complications within six months of the rupture, and a certain percentage of those who do survive will suffer from permanent debilitating neurological damage. Still, a small percentage of those with a burst aneurysm do survive and escape with little or no damage with proper medical treatment.
The aneurysm prognosis for ruptured aneurysms depends highly on the age and health of the patient as well as how quickly medical attention is received. Heavy bleeding into the brain caused by a large rupture often results in death, but smaller amounts of hemorrhage may be easier to treat. The most important thing to remember for surviving a ruptured aneurysm is to get treatment as quickly as possible.
It is a good idea for anyone to familiar with the symptoms of a large brain aneurysm. These may include debilitating headache or migraine, vision changes, nausea and vomiting, loss of sensation, sensitivity to light, behavioral changes, and speech problems. A marked and sudden decline in motor abilities may also be noted, primarily in large un-ruptured aneurysms.
