Cerebral aneurysm in the HIV patient: A report of six cases

In view of the almost certain mortality of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient, controversy may arise as to how to treat those individuals with concomitant aneurysmal disease. 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 immunodeficiency 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 subarachnoid hemorrhage from angiographically demonstrated ruptured berry aneurysms. There was no increased incidence of postoperative infections and the quality of life of the surviving five patients was quite good. In a patient in stable health, the diagnosis of HIV infection should not necessarily preclude the established regimen for the treatment of aneurysmal disease.