Intraventricular Hemorrhage Predicts Death, Disability in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

NASHVILLE — In patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage, greater amounts of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is associated with worse outcomes, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2015.

In patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, IVH often indicates a poor prognosis, but the association patterns are unclear. In this study, the researchers sought to determine the risks that are associated with IVH using patients from the Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial (INTERACT2).

INTERACT2 was an international, randomized controlled trial where 2,839 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and elevated systolic blood pressure where randomized to either intensive or guideline-based blood pressure management. Of these patients, 740 had IVH, and the researchers looked at the association between baseline IVH and poor outcomes at 90 days.

After analyzing the results, the researchers found that patients who experienced IVH were significantly older, had greater neurological impairment, history of ischemic stroke, and larger hematomas that are often located deep in the hemisphere. After the follow-up period, 66% of patients with IVH experienced death or major disability, compared with 49% of patients without IVH.

When the researchers adjusted for IVH volume, they found that IVH volumes between 5 and 10 mL led to a significant increase in the risk for death or major disability.

For more coverage of the International Stroke Conference 2015, go here.