Intracerebral Hemorrhage Location Research Articles

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT AND CASE-FATALITY RATES OF INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE IN 1988 AND 2005

To compare surgical management and case-fatality rates of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in 1988 and 2005. We identified all adult residents (age, >or=18 years) from the 5-county Greater Cincinnati region who were hospitalized with ICH in 1988 and 2005. Demographics, severity of illness, ICH volume, ICH location, rates and timing of surgery, and 30-day case-fatality rate were compared between the groups. In 1988, 171 ICH patients (67 lobar, 80 deep cerebral, 10 brainstem, and 14 cerebellar) met the study criteria; in 2005, 259 ICH patients (91 lobar, 123 deep cerebral, 19 brainstem, and 26 cerebellar) met the study criteria. In 1988, 16% of the patients had surgical removal of their ICH versus 7% in 2005 (P = 0.003). In both 1988 and 2005, patients treated with surgery were younger (P < 0.001) and had a higher percentage of cerebellar hemorrhages than nonsurgical patients. The timing of surgery was similar in 1988 and 2005. In 1988, the 30-day case-fatality rate was 32% in surgical patients versus 50% in nonsurgical patients (P = 0.06). In 2005, the 30-day case-fatality rate was 16% (surgical) versus 45% (nonsurgical) (P = 0.02). The frequency of surgery for ICH was lower in 2005 than in 1988, which may reflect the influence of recent clinical trial data showing no benefit for surgery rather than medical management. The ICH case-fatality rate was essentially the same in 1988 and 2005. Innovative clinical trials to improve ICH outcomes are warranted.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10 to 15% of all strokes, but results in a disproportionately high morbidity and mortality. Although chronic hypertension accounts for the majority of ICH, other common causes include cerebral amyloid angiopathy, sympathomimetic drugs of abuse, and underlying cerebral vascular anomalies. Validated baseline predictors of clinical outcome after ICH include the Glasgow Coma Scale score, hematoma volume, presence and amount of intraventricular hemorrhage, infratentorial ICH location, and advanced age. Although no treatment of proven benefit currently exists for ICH, several recent large clinical trials have demonstrated the feasibility of surgical and medical treatments for ICH. Clinical research into ICH mechanisms of injury has demonstrated that hematoma expansion is common, even in patients without coagulopathy. Basic research has suggested that perihematoma injury is more likely related to toxicity of blood and iron in the brain ("neurohemoinflammation") rather than primary ischemic injury. Current guidelines for ICH treatment emphasize blood pressure management, urgent and rapid correction of coagulopathy, and surgery for cerebellar ICH. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating surgical evacuation of lobar hemorrhage, minimally invasive surgical hematoma evacuation, and aggressive blood pressure lowering.

Warfarin use leads to larger intracerebral hematomas

Among patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), warfarin use before onset leads to greater mortality. In a retrospective study, we sought to determine whether warfarin use is associated with larger initial hematoma volume, one determinant of mortality after ICH. We identified all patients hospitalized with ICH in the Greater Cincinnati region from January through December 2005. ICH volumes were measured on the first available brain scan by using the abc/2 method. Univariable analyses and a multivariable generalized linear model were used to determine whether international normalized ratio (INR) influenced initial ICH volume after adjusting for other factors, including age, race, sex, antiplatelet use, hemorrhage location, and time from stroke onset to scan. There were 258 patients with ICH, including 51 patients taking warfarin. In univariable comparison, when INR was stratified, there was a trend toward a difference in hematoma volume by INR category (INR <1.2, 13.4 mL; INR 1.2-2.0, 9.3 mL; INR 2.1-3.0, 14.0 mL; INR >3.0, 33.2 mL; p = 0.10). In the model, compared with patients with INR <1.2, there was no difference in hematoma size for patients with INR 1.2-2.0 (p = 0.25) or INR 2.1-3.0 (p = 0.36), but patients with INR >3.0 had greater hematoma volume (p = 0.02). Other predictors of larger hematoma size were ICH location (lobar compared with deep cerebral, p = 0.02) and shorter time from stroke onset to scan (p < 0.001). Warfarin use was associated with larger initial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume, but this effect was only observed for INR values >3.0. Larger ICH volume among warfarin users likely accounts for part of the excess mortality in this group.

Prediction of Functional Outcome in Patients With Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most fatal and disabling stroke subtype. Widely used tools for prediction of mortality are fundamentally limited in that they do not account for effects of withdrawal of care and are not designed to predict functional recovery. We developed an acute clinical score to predict likelihood of functional independence. We prospectively characterized 629 consecutive patients with ICH at hospital presentation. Predictors of functional independence (Glasgow Outcome Score > or = 4) at 90 days were used to develop a logistic regression-based risk stratification scale in a random subset of two thirds and validated in the remaining one third of the cohort. At 90 days, 162 (26%) patients achieved independence. Age, Glasgow Coma Scale, ICH location, volume (all P<0.0001), and pre-ICH cognitive impairment (P=0.005) were independently associated with Glasgow Outcome Score > or = 4. The FUNC score was developed as a sum of individual points (0-11) based on strength of association with outcome. In both the development and validation cohorts, the proportion of patients who achieved Glasgow Outcome Score > or = 4 increased steadily with FUNC score. No patient assigned a FUNC score < or = 4 achieved functional independence, whereas > 80% with a score of 11 did. The predictive accuracy of the FUNC score remained unchanged when restricted to ICH survivors only, consistent with absence of confounding by early withdrawal of care. FUNC score is a valid clinical assessment tool that identifies patients with ICH who will attain functional independence and thus, can provide guidance in clinical decision-making and patient selection for clinical trials.

Intraventricular hemorrhage

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is frequently associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which is an independent predictor of poor outcome. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ICH volume and anatomic location to IVH, and to determine if ICH decompression into the ventricle is truly beneficial. We retrospectively analyzed the CT scans and charts of all patients with ICH admitted to our stroke center over a 3-year period. Outcome data were collected using our prospective stroke registry. We identified 406 patients with ICH. A total of 45% had IVH. Thalamic and caudate locations had the highest IVH frequency (69% and 100%). ICH volume and ICH location were predictors of IVH (p < 0.001). Within each location, decompression ranges (specific volume ranges where ventricular rupture tends to occur) were established. Patients with IVH were twice as likely to have a poor outcome (discharge modified Rankin scale of 4 to 6) (OR 2.25, p = 0.001) when compared to patients without IVH. Caudate location was associated with a good outcome despite 100% incidence of IVH. Spontaneous ventricular decompression was not associated with better outcome, regardless of parenchymal volume reduction (p = 0.72). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurs in nearly half of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and is related to ICH volume and location. IVH is likely to occur within the "decompression ranges" that take into account both ICH location and volume. Further, spontaneous ventricular decompression does not translate to better clinical outcome. This information may prove useful for future ICH trials, and to the clinician communicating with patients and families.

Is Antiplatelet Therapy for the Prevention of Ischemic Stroke Associated with the Prognosis of Intracerebral Hemorrhage?

To examine whether antiplatelet therapy contributes to the unfavorable prognosis of intracerebral hemorrhage, we enrolled 253 consecutive patients (120 men and 133 women; 72.9+/-11.7 years) hospitalized in our institution within 24 hrs after onset of intracerebral hemorrhage. The location and size of intracerebral hemorrhage were determined from computed tomography (CT). Hematoma enlargement was identified on the basis of a second computed tomography scan performed on the day after admission. An unfavorable prognosis was defined as an outcome of worsening or death using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Locations of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) determined from CT were the thalamus in 92 patients (36.3%), putamen in 79 (31.2%), subcortex in 35 (13.8%), cerebellum in 20 (7.9%), brainstem in 18 (7.1%), and caudate nucleus in 9 (3.5%). Sizes of ICH were small and moderate in 153 patients (60%) and large in 100 (40%). Seventeen patients (6.7%) received antiplatelet therapy for stroke prevention. Hematoma enlargement was identified in 39 patients (15.4%). Overall outcomes at the time of discharge were unfavorable (modified Rankin Scale score 5-6) in 64 patients (25.2%) and favorable mRS score (0-1 approximately 4) in 189 (74.8%). Univariate analysis demonstrated that age >or=75 years (odds ratio: 2.78; 95%CI: 1.54-5.04) and presence of a large hematoma (odds ratio: 19.28; 95%CI: 8.84-42.1) were significantly related to the unfavorable prognosis. Using multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustments for age and sex, the presence of a large hematoma was still judged unfavorable; however, antiplatelet therapy was not related to unfavorable prognosis. Antiplatelet therapy may be unrelated to the unfavorable prognosis of ICH.

Pattern of cerebellar perfusion on single photon emission computed tomography in subcortical hematoma: A clinical and computed tomography correlation

There is paucity of studies evaluating the role of asymmetry index (AI) on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). To evaluate cerebellar perfusion in ICH employing SPECT study and correlate with clinical and CT scan findings. Tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 29 patients with ICH were subjected to neurological examination including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Canadian Neurological Stroke Scale (CNS). Clinical features of raised intracranial pressure and herniation were noted. On CT scan, ICH location, volume, ventricular extension and midline (ML) shift were noted. On SPECT, cerebral and cerebellar perfusion was measured semiquantitatively and AI calculated. Outcome was defined at 3 months into poor and good. Fourteen patients had putaminal and 15 thalamic hemorrhages. Their mean age was 59 years. The mean GCS score was 10 and CNS score 2.8. Hematoma was large in five, medium in 16 and small in eight patients. ML shift was present in 15 and hematoma extended to ventricule in 16 patients. On SPECT, cerebellar AI significantly related to ML shift but not with size of hematoma. AI was low in patients with ML shift. Outcome was related to GCS score, ML shift, size of hematoma and cerebellar AI. In acute stage of ICH, cerebellar AI is lower in patients with more severe stroke having ML shift.

Prior Statin Use Reduces Mortality in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

To assess the impact of blood glucose, coagulopathy, seizures and prior statin and aspirin use on clinical outcome following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10-15% of all strokes with mortality rates approaching 50%. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), ICH volume, age, pulse pressure, ICH location, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and hydrocephalus are known to impact 30-day survival following ICH and are included in various prediction models. The role of other clinical variables in the long-term outcome of these patients is less clear. Records of consecutive ICH patients admitted to The Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1999 to 2006 were reviewed. Patients with ICH related to trauma or underlying lesions (e.g. brain tumors, aneurysms, arterio-venous malformations) and of infratentorial location were excluded. The impact of admission blood glucose, coagulopathy, seizures on presentation and prior statin and aspirin use on 30-day mortality and functional outcomes at discharge was assessed using dichotomized Modified Rankin Scale (dMRS) and Glasgow Outcomes scale (dGOS). Other variables known to impact outcomes that were included in the multiple logistic regression analysis were age, admission GCS, pulse pressure, ICH volume, ICH location, volume of IVH and hydrocephalus. A total of 314 patients with ICH were identified, 125 met inclusion criteria. Patients' age ranged from 34 to 90 years (mean 63.5), 57.6 % were male. Mean ICH volume was 32.09 cc (range 1-214 cc). Following multiple logistic regression analysis, prior statin use (P = 0.05) was found to be associated with decreased mortality with a greater than 12-fold odds of survival while admission blood glucose (P = 0.023) was associated with increased 30-day mortality. Coagulopathy, seizures on presentation, and prior aspirin use had no significant impact on 30-day mortality or outcomes at discharge in our study cohort. The significant association of prior statin use with decreased mortality warrants prospective evaluation of the use of statins following ICH.

Clinical Importance of Cardiac Troponin Release and Cardiac Abnormalities in Patients With Supratentorial Cerebral Hemorrhages

To determine the Incidence of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevation, electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, and arrhythmias in supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and their association with early mortality. Patients with supratentorial ICHs admitted to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, from March 1998 to October 2003 were studied. We excluded moribund patients with ICHs who died within 12 hours of hospital admission. Cardiac troponin T levels measured on admission and day 2 were determined by a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Continuous ECG monitoring was performed In all patients. Computed tomographic scans were graded and correlated with abnormal cardiac variables. Peak levels of cTnT were elevated at 0.035 to 1.2 microg/L (mean +/- SD, 0.27 +/- 0.38 microg/L) in 10 (20%) of 49 patients and were not associated with changes in creatine kinase MB fraction or ECG results. The cTnT levels did not correlate with location or side of hemorrhage or mortality at 30 days. Seventy (64%) of 110 patients displayed ECG abnormalities. The ECG changes did not correlate with the location or side of ICH, hydrocephalus, midline shift, or extension to the ventricles. The cTnT elevations in survivors of acute ICH are frequent but without confirmatory ECG changes that suggest mild myocardial injury. One-month mortality is not influenced by such cTnT elevations. In addition, ECG abnormalities are common but likely benign in patients with supratentorial ICH who survive the initial insult.

Differences in intracerebral hemorrhage between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites

Mexican Americans (MAs) have higher incidence rates of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) than non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). The authors present clinical and imaging characteristics of ICH in MAs and NHWs in a population-based study. This work is part of the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) project. Cases of nontraumatic ICH were identified from 2000 to 2003. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the independent associations between ethnicity and ICH location (lobar vs nonlobar) and volume (> or = 30 vs < 30 mL), adjusting for demographics and baseline clinical characteristics. Logistic regression was also used to determine the association between ethnicity and in-hospital mortality, adjusting for confounders. A total of 149 MAs and 111 NHWs with ICH were identified. MAs were younger (70 vs 77, p < 0.001), more often male (55% vs 42%, p = 0.04), had a lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation (2.0% vs 13%, p < 0.001), and a higher prevalence of diabetes (39% vs 19%, p < 0.001). MA ethnicity was independently associated with nonlobar hemorrhage (OR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.15, 3.70). MAs had over two times the odds of having small (< 30 mL) hemorrhages compared with NHWs (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.31, 4.46). NHWs had higher in-hospital mortality, though this association was no longer significant after adjustment for ICH volume, location, age, and sex. There are significant differences in the characteristics of ICH in MAs and NHWs, with MA patients more likely to have smaller, nonlobar hemorrhages. These differences may be used to examine the underlying pathophysiology of ICH.

Patterns of Recurrence of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for approximately 10% of strokes. Its causes include hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in the middle-aged and elderly, respectively, while vascular malformations predominate in the younger than 45 years old population. Recurrence of ICH is not as low as it was traditionally thought, and overall it is about 4.5% for an aggregate of several studies with different lengths of follow-up. Most of these recurrences occur over a 1-2 year period after the initial episode of ICH, but late recurrence (over several years) is not uncommon, leading to cumulative frequencies of recurrence of up to 25-55% after 7-8 years of follow-up in some series. The main risk factors for recurrence are age, poorly controlled hypertension, lobar location (probably due to cerebral amyloid angiopathy), presence of asymptomatic microhemorrhages, and carrying the ϵ2 and ϵ4 alleles of the apolipoprotein E gene. The initial location of ICH (ganglionic vs. lobar) is generally predictive of the same topography for the recurrent event. Recurrent ICH is associated with high mortality, in the order of 70%.

Racial variations in location and risk of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) vary by location. Incidence rates of ICH are known to be higher in American blacks than whites, but how rates may differ by hemorrhage location is unknown. We sought to define incidence rates for different ICH locations in a biracial population. All hospitalized patients age > or =20 years with spontaneous ICH were identified in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area from May 1998 to July 2001 and August 2002 to April 2003. Incidence rates per 100,000 persons were age, sex, and race adjusted as appropriate to the 2000 US population. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were calculated from unadjusted incidence rates. There were 1038 qualifying ICHs. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 persons > or =20 years of age were 48.9 for blacks and 26.6 for whites. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 blacks in lobar, deep cerebral, brain stem, and cerebellar locations were 15.2, 25.7, 5.1, and 2.9, respectively. Annual incidence rates per 100,000 whites in the same locations were 9.4, 13.0, 1.3, and 2.9. The greatest excess risk of ICH in blacks compared with whites was found among young to middle-aged (35 to 54 years) persons with brain stem (RR, 9.8; 95% CI, 4.2 to 23.0) and deep cerebral (RR, 4.5; 3.0 to 6.8) hemorrhage. The excess risk of ICH in American blacks is largely attributable to higher hemorrhage rates in young and middle-aged persons, particularly for deep cerebral and brain stem locations. Hypertension is the predominant risk factor for hemorrhages in these locations.

Previous antiplatelet therapy is an independent predictor of 30?day mortality after spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) constitutes 10% to 15% of all strokes. Despite several existing outcome prediction models for ICH, there are some factors with equivocal value as well as others that still have not been evaluated. All patients with first ever supratentorial ICH presenting to our institution between December 1995 and December 2002 were prospectively enrolled into the study. Patients with historic modified Rankin Scale > 2 and those under anticoagulant treatment or with multiple ICH were excluded. The following parameters were analyzed in 194 consecutive patients: age, gender, past history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, past history of ischemic stroke, presence of ischemic heart disease or cardioembolic disease, current antiplatelet treatment, current alcohol overuse, smoking, Glasgow Coma Scale score (GSS) at admission, volume and location (deep or lobar) of ICH, ventricular extension, glycemia and temperature at admission, and leukoaraiosis. We correlated these data with the 30-day mortality identifying the independent predictors by logistic regression analysis. Factors independently associated with 30-day mortality were: age, Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission, ICH volume, ventricular extension, glucose level at admission, and previous antiplatelet use. Apart from the classical outcome predictors, the previous use of antiplatelet agents and the glucose value at admission are independent predictors of 30-day mortality in patients suffering a supratentorial ICH.

Emerging Therapies for Cerebrovascular Disorders

Emerging Therapies for Cerebrovascular Disorders

Thrombolysis for Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Old Microbleeds on Pretreatment MRI

Background: Old asymptomatic microbleeds (MBs) visualized on T₂-weighted MRI are indicative of microangiopathy. They may be a marker of increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) following thrombolysis. However, data regarding this potential risk are limited. Methods: A retrospective analysis of pretreatment T₂-weighted MRI was performed in consecutive stroke patients who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). We aimed to assess the impact of MBs on the risk of cerebral bleeding. The frequency and location of MBs were assessed and compared with the location of ICH after thrombolysis. Results: Forty-four patients were studied. MBs were present on pretreatment MRI in 8 cases (18.2%). At day 1, symptomatic ICH occurred in none of 8 patients with MBs versus 1 of 36 patients without (NS). At day 1, ICH occurred in 3 of 8 patients with MBs versus 10 of 36 patients without (NS). At day 7, symptomatic ICH occurred in 1 of 8 patients with MBs versus 2 of 36 patients without (NS). At day 7, ICH occurred in 5 of 8 patients with MBs versus 12 of 36 patients without (NS). No ICH occurred at the site of an MB. ICH occurred within the ischemic area in all patients who bled. Conclusions: Our study suggests that stroke patients with a small number of MBs on pretreatment MRI could be treated safely with thrombolysis. Larger prospective studies are needed to address the predictive value of detection of MBs with regard to the risk of tPA-induced ICH.

Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Intracerebral Hemorrhage

27 Introduction: We report a planned midpoint analysis of a prospective, population-based, case-control study of the genetic and environmental risk factors of spontaneous, non-traumatic, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Cases were matched to two controls by age, race and gender. Data was obtained by direct interview and review of all available medical and neuroimaging data. Apolipoprotein E (Apo E)genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Multivariable analyses were performed using logistic regression modeling. Results: Between 6/97 and 2/00, 189 cases of ICH (150 white/39 black; 68 lobar/121 non-lobar) and 368 controls were enrolled into the study. Independent risk factors for multivariable analysis are listed in the table. Only prior stroke was an independent risk factor for both lobar and non-lobar ICH. Conclusions: The importance of individual genetic and environmental risk factors for ICH vary substantially by location of ICH. A history of a first-degree relative with ICH was associated with an increased risk of lobar ICH, independent of Apo E genotype. This finding indicates that other genetic risk factors may be important in the development of ICH.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

To study intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) with the aim of assessing prevalence, age/gender distribution, causes, clinical manifestations, and location of ICH on CT brain, treatment modalities and outcome, and to compare these findings with those from Middle Eastern and Western literature.Among 1498 patients with stroke seen over a 6-year-period, from January 2002 to December 2007 at JUH, Amman, Jordan, 100 patients with spontaneous ICH were studied retrospectively.The prevalence of ICH was 6.7%. The mean age was 61 years, with 71 males, and 29 females. The most common cause was hypertension, alone or combined with the use of aspirin and/or warfarin. The most common clinical manifestations were hemiparesis/plegia, impaired level of consciousness (mean Glasgow coma scale [GCS] score = 7.3) and headache/vomiting. The most common location on CT brain was in the basal ganglia (61 patients). Seventy-nine patients received medical treatment and 21 had surgery. Forty-two patients died after a mean of 7 days (ranging from one day to 6 weeks). The factors related to mortality were old age >68 years, GCS <8, intraventricular extension of ICH on CT brain and the presence of other comorbidities. Among 58 survivors, 50 were left with neurological deficit, predominantly hemiparesis/plegia in 46 patients. Twelve patients were left with chronic epilepsy.This study shows a lower prevalence of ICH compared to developed countries, a similar age and gender distribution, and hypertension as the major risk factor, which should be the focus of public health in Jordan and the Arab World.

Volume of intracerebral hemorrhage. A powerful and easy-to-use predictor of 30-day mortality.

The aim of this study was to determine the 30-day mortality and morbidity of intracerebral hemorrhage in a large metropolitan population and to determine the most important predictors of 30-day outcome. We reviewed the medical records and computed tomographic films for all cases of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in Greater Cincinnati during 1988. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality were determined using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The 30-day mortality for the 188 cases of intracerebral hemorrhage was 44%, with half of deaths occurring within the first 2 days of onset. Volume of intracerebral hemorrhage was the strongest predictor of 30-day mortality for all locations of intracerebral hemorrhage. Using three categories of parenchymal hemorrhage volume (0 to 29 cm3, 30 to 60 cm3, and 61 cm3 or more), calculated by a quick and easy-to-use ellipsoid method, and two categories of the Glasgow Coma Scale (9 or more and 8 or less), 30-day mortality was predicted correctly with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 98%. Patients with a parenchymal hemorrhage volume of 60 cm3 or more on their initial computed tomogram and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less had a predicted 30-day mortality of 91%. Patients with a volume of less than 30 cm3 and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9 or more had a predicted 30-day mortality of 19%. Only one of the 71 patients with a volume of parenchymal hemorrhage of 30 cm3 or more could function independently at 30 days. Volume of intracerebral hemorrhage, in combination with the initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, is a powerful and easy-to-use predictor of 30-day mortality and morbidity in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Prognostic significance of initial clinical and instrumental parameters in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 63 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who had been treated in our neurological intensive care unit from 1981 to 1985 (aged 17 to 84 years). In this sample, the prognostic value of initial clinical and laboratory findings was studied. The following factors were significantly correlated with mortality: concomitant cardiac failure, general atherosclerosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; coma or deranged brainstem reflexes on admission; concomitant intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage, hydrocephalus and midline shift on CT scan. ICH location did not significantly correlate with outcome. Among lobar ICH occipital hematomas carried the best prognosis. No prognostic importance was detected for age and gender, initial blood pressure, time interval between ICH and admission, ECG or angiographic findings, or laboratory values.