Erythropoietin for subarachnoid hemorrhage: is there a reason for hope?

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) associated with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm remains a source of significant morbidity and mortality, not only from the initial hemorrhage but also from the delayed complications, such as cerebral vasospasm often severe enough to induce irreversible changes in cerebral perfusion. Several drugs have been developed that have the potential to limit cerebral vasospasm and delayed ischemic neurologic deficit, thus improving outcome for patients.