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WFNS Grading Scale (SAH)

1.0.0

Derives the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) clinical grade I–V for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage from Glasgow Coma Scale band and presence or absence of a major focal neurological (motor) deficit.

Also searched as: subarachnoid hemorrhage · GCS · aneurysm · neurocritical care · subarachnoid · brain

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) band

Use best post-resuscitation GCS when the patient is not over-sedated.

Major focal neurological deficit present (e.g. hemiparesis / aphasia)

Motor deficit is the classic WFNS discriminator; used mainly to separate grade II vs III when GCS is 13–14.

Information
Incomplete input
  • Please provide: GCS band.

How this tool works

The WFNS scale was designed as a more objective SAH grade than Hunt and Hess by anchoring on GCS with a single modifier for major focal deficit. Deficit only separates grade II from III (both GCS 13–14). For GCS 7–12 and 3–6 the grade is IV or V regardless of motor deficit. Grade is typically assigned after initial resuscitation and before sedation confounds the exam; acute hydrocephalus or seizures can temporarily worsen the apparent grade.

References

Implemented from the cited published sources. Educational use only; confirm against current guidelines before clinical use.

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