Abstract 1122‐000215: Scheduled Head CT in Neurologically Stable Spontaneous ICH Patients May be Unnecessary

Abstract

Introduction : Obtaining serial head computed tomography (CTH) imaging for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is commonly utilized to monitor for hematoma expansion (HE), defined as an increase in ICH volume by 33%. Obtaining recurrent CTH in the ICU setting may burden nursing and transport staff, expose patients to radiation, and inflate healthcare costs. It remains unclear whether utilizing scheduled CTH for sICH patients is more advantageous than targeted CTH, which is prompted by a decline in neurological status. We reviewed clinical factors and imaging studies in patients with and without HE. Methods : This retrospective cohort study conducted over two years identified 171 sICH patients. Patient demographics, clinical and neuroimaging data were recorded (including the reason for repeat imaging). These variables were then compared and analyzed in relation to HE using SPSS version 26, chi‐square tests for categorical variables, and independent‐samples t‐tests were used for continuous variables. Results : Patients were predominantly male (65%), with a mean age of 65±14 years, a median GCS of 14, a median ICH score of 1, and a median ICH volume of 12.1 ccs. Repeat CTH was obtained within 14 hours after the initial imaging on average. Admission blood pressure (BP), BP‐lowering interventions, pre‐admission use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, GCS on admission, ICH volume, ICH score, and presence of spot signs were similar between the two groups. 15% of total patients (26/171) had HE. In the group that underwent scheduled repeat CTH, only 7% (9 patients) had HE, while the remaining 93% (119 patients) did not. Patients who underwent a second scan following a change in the neurologic assessment included 39% (17 patients) who had HE, compared to 61% (26 patients) that did not. HE detection was significantly lower in patients that underwent scheduled CTH (p < 0.0001). Conclusions : In patients with a stable exam, scheduled head CT only showed HE in 6% of patients; thus, the excess burden, radiation, and costs may not be necessary for these patients. Hematoma expansion is significantly lower in patients who underwent scheduled imaging than those prompted by a decline in neurologic status. However, our sample size is small and additional studies with larger population sizes are required to validate our findings.