Care of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by ruptured cere
bral artery aneurysm requires careful assessment of neurological funct
ion and prevention of rebleeding and ischaemia throughout the perioper
ative period. An understanding of the cerebral protection techniques u
sed during periods of ischaemia or circulatory arrest will assist the
provision of optimal conditions for successful surgical treatment of t
he aneurysm.