OBJECTIVE To investigate the curative effect of Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) on acute ruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS The clinical data of 34 patients with acute rupture of intracranial aneurysms treated with early GDC embolization within 6 days after the rupture, 6 being of grade I, 23 of grade II, 4 of grade III and 1 of grade IV according to Hunt-Hess grading, were analyzed retrospectively. Fourteen patients were treated within 3 days, and 20 patients were treated in the 4th to 6th days after the rupture. Two cases of wide-neck aneurysm were embolized with Medtronic AVE stent supported GDC. Angiography was used to observe the effects. RESULTS Angiography showed complete occlusion in 28 cases and 90% occlusion in 4 cases. One aneurysm was ruptured during the procedure. The caudal tip of GDC protruded to the parent vessel in 2 cases. Two cases failed to be embolized due to severe cerebrovascular spasm. There were no mortality and complications. No re-rupture occurred in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Less invasive and with less risk and complication, early GDC embolization is one of the ideal therapeutic methods to manage acute ruptured aneurysms.