Should people with a first-degree relative who died from subarachnoid hemorrhage be screened for aneurysms?

Recently, the psychosocial aspects of screening for ICA have been studied. In 1 case series of 105 patients, 35 screen-positive patients scored lower for quality of life than 70 screen-negative patients. However, only 3 patients regretted participating in screening.⁷ An observational study of 980 first-degree relatives of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage determined that offering screening for ICA did not provoke anxiety or depression.⁸ Providing thorough counseling before screening can help to alleviate the patient’s anxiety.

Recommendations from others

In 2000, the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association concluded that screening is not efficacious in populations having a single first-degree relative with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracranial aneurysm.⁹