What to Expect After a Family Member’s Brain Aneurysm Rupture: ICU In-Depth

The care of an aneurysmal hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage patient is incredibly complex, daunting, and sometimes traumatic for a family. Dr. Spiotta, Dr. Snelgrove and critical care nurse Kitty Toth explain what a patient and family will experience in the ICU after a brain aneurysm rupture up to when they are discharged. This webinar is to help family members get the knowledge they need to feel less overwhelmed and more educated so they can focus on caring for their loved one. TIMESTAMPS 00:30 Introduction to the MUSC Health team: Dr. Alex Spiotta, Dr. Dan Snelgrove and Kitty Toth, CCRN. 02:53 The team describes the complex process of being in the ICU with a brain aneurysm rupture, who is on the medical team and what roles do they play in your family members care. Brain aneurysm rupture care is daunting for the family, but effective care begins with the patient and family in the center. 09:30 Understand what you’ll see and experience in the room of a brain aneurysm ruptured patient. This includes key equipment, machines and what they do. 14:44 Take a deep dive into the day to day journey a patient and family will take during the first days after a rupture through discharge and continued recovery. 26:16 Three main procedures that your loved one may go though in the ICU. 27:26 Get an in-depth understanding of a normal brain CT scan vs. one after a subarachnoid hemorrhage and hydrocephalus (abnormal buildup of fluid in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the brain) 30:22 Learn more about an external ventricular drain. 34:43 Hear about available brain aneurysm treatments. 36:35 Understand what a vasospasm is and how is it treated.