Lobar intracerebral haemorrhage: Analysis of a series and characteristics of patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulation treatment

Abstract

IntroductionLobar intracerebral haemorrhage (LICH) is a rare cause of stroke which accounts for about 20% of primary intracerebral haemorrhages. The most common causes are cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), high blood pressure and others, such as using antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents.We analysed a series of patients with LICH and compared it with subgroups of patients with LICH who were previously receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents. We determined the volume of the bleeding and its predictive value for mortality. Patients and methodsWe consecutively and retrospectively included 162 patients diagnosed with LICH and cared for in the Neurology Department of Hospital Meixoeiro in Vigo between 1991 and 2009. We collected demographic characteristics, risk factors, aetiologies and symptoms, and conducted a comparative analysis between the general series and the subgroups of patients receiving anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents. ResultsIn the general series, the most common cause was possible or probable CAA followed by hypertension. In the subgroup of patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents there were no differences in the variables studied, except for the frequency of heart disease. Nonetheless, there were differences with respect to age, heart disease and bleeding volume between the general series (patients not treated with antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents) when compared with the subgroups of patients receiving antiplatelet and anticoagulation agents. ConclusionsWe provide new information regarding the clinical behaviour of LICH and its differences in patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents. Mortality is higher in cases of LICH on anticoagulants. Female sex and the volume of bleeding are predictors of mortality.