Ameneh Eshghinejad: The First 72 Hours After SAH Are Critical for Balancing the Risks of Rebleeding and Thromboembolism
Ameneh Eshghinejad, Intensive Care Nurse at Milad hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
”The 72-Hour Rule After SAH… is not just a timeline. It’s a decision that can change a life.
In the ICU, we live in the space between two risks:
Rebleeding… versus Thromboembolism
After an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the question isn’t if anticoagulation is needed – it’s when it becomes safe enough.
And that’s where many clinicians hesitate.
Here’s the practical bedside approach:
0–24 hours:
No anticoagulation.
Mechanical prophylaxis only (IPC).
Your priority equals protect the brain.
24–48 hours:
Start VTE prophylaxis (low-dose heparin or enoxaparin)
Only if:
- No active bleeding
- Imaging is stable
Greater than or equal to 72 hours:
Now we reassess everything.
If the patient is:
- Aneurysm secured (clipped/coiled)
- Clinically and radiologically stable
- No hematoma expansion
This is your green light for therapeutic anticoagulation.
The Bedside Rule you should never forget:
Secured plus Stable plus 72 hours equals Go (carefully)
But here’s the part we don’t always talk about…
I once cared for a patient post-SAH—young, previously healthy.
We delayed anticoagulation, fearing rebleeding.
On day 4, everything looked ‘stable.’
But before escalation… they developed a massive pulmonary embolism.
That moment stays with you.
Because in critical care, waiting is also a decision.
And sometimes… it costs more than acting.
This is why precision matters.
Not just protocols. Not just guidelines.
But clinical judgment, timing, and courage to reassess.”

Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.
-
Jun 24, 2026, 13:50Tijjani Balas: Why Early Detection of DVT Matters
-
Jun 24, 2026, 13:43Brandon Michael Henry: Interpreting Complement Activation After AAV Gene Therapy
-
Jun 24, 2026, 13:37Heba Youssef: Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia – The Prothrombotic Emergency You Cannot Miss
-
Jun 24, 2026, 13:32Jecko Thachil: Understanding the Clinical Spectrum of Vitamin B12
-
Jun 24, 2026, 13:32Namrata Singh: Beyond Low Platelets – Understanding What Triggers ITP
-
Jun 24, 2026, 09:29Advancing Women’s Health Through Collaboration with Jean Hailes for Women’s Health – Stroke Foundation
-
Jun 24, 2026, 09:18The Lasting Immunological Footprint of VITT – JTH
-
Jun 24, 2026, 09:09Umberto Pensato: Dedicated Funding Pathways for Stroke Research in Italy
-
Jun 24, 2026, 09:00Danny Gaskin: BBTS 2026 and the Evolving Role of Transfusion in Maternity Care