CEREBRAL ANEURYSM IN THE HIV PATIENT - A REPORT OF 6 CASES

BACKGROUND In view of the almost certain mortality of the acquired imm une deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient, controversy may arise as to ho w to treat those individuals with concomitant aneurysmal disease. METH ODS We conducted a retrospective case review of six patients seen in a 1-year period, who had a history of either being positive for human i mmunodeficiency virus (HIV) or prior opportunistic pneumonias and who, therefore, by Centers for Disease Control definition, have frank AIDS . The patients, who were in otherwise stable health, presented with su barachnoid hemorrhage from angiographically demonstrated ruptured berr y aneurysms. RESULTS There was no increased incidence of postoperative infections and the quality of life of the surviving five patients was quite good. CONCLUSIONS In a patient in stable health, the diagnosis of HN infection should not necessarily preclude the established regime n for the treatment of aneurysmal disease.