Risk Of Recurrent Intracerebral Hemorrhage Research Articles

Low-dose antiplatelet therapy survey after intracerebral hemorrhage in China: a retrospective hospital-based study.

Restarting of antiplatelet therapy (AT) for patients with a history of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still a clinical dilemma in China. We aimed to investigate the association between low-dose AT and the long-term clinical outcome in Chinese ICH patients. A total of 312 patients with a history of ICH were retrospectively enrolled and followed. The ischemic vascular events, recurrent ICH, and all-cause death were reviewed retrospectively. We explored the predictors of ischemic vascular events and recurrent ICH from all patients using Cox proportional hazard regression model. One hundred fifty-one (48.4%) patients were treated with low-dose AT, and the median duration of follow-up was 4.0 years (interquartile range, 2.5-5 years). Compared to 30 (19.8%) of 151 participants who restarted low-dose AT had ischemic vascular events, 51 (31.7%) of 161 participants who did not receive AT showed ischemic vascular events (p=0.025). Eighteen (11.9%) of 151 participants treated with low-dose AT had recurrent ICH and 21 (13.0%) of 161 in non-AT participants (p=0.830). Cox regression analysis also showed that diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for ischemic vascular events (p=0.029). Uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) was independently associated with the risk for both ischemic vascular events (p=0.025) and recurrent ICH (p=0.001). Atrial fibrillation (AF) was an independent risk factor for recurrent ICH among patients with a history of ICH (p=0.018). In a Chinese population of patients with predominantly deep, mild to moderate severity ICH, restarting of low-dose AT at a median of 6.2 months was associated with a lower risk of ischemic vascular events without increased risk of recurrent ICH.

Editors' note: Racial/ethnic disparities in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage recurrence

In “Racial/ethnic disparities in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage recurrence,” Leasure et al. evaluated the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recurrence in 31,355 California residents with first-recorded ICH who survived until discharge between 2005 and 2011. They found that being Black or Asian was associated with a higher risk of recurrence compared with being White and being on Medicare was associated with a higher risk of recurrence compared with having private insurance. Hinson noted that the explanation for this is complex because medication compliance may be affected by the delivery of disease-specific education and poverty, which is more common in communities of color. Leasure and Sheth agreed that the use of an administrative data set for this study precludes the ability to assess all social, economic, and structural variables that may be related to ICH recurrence. Hinson and Leasure and Sheth emphasized the need for culturally competent interventions to address barriers to medication compliance and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in ICH recurrence. In “Racial/ethnic disparities in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage recurrence,” Leasure et al. evaluated the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recurrence in 31,355 California residents with first-recorded ICH who survived until discharge between 2005 and 2011. They found that being Black or Asian was associated with a higher risk of recurrence compared with being White and being on Medicare was associated with a higher risk of recurrence compared with having private insurance. Hinson noted that the explanation for this is complex because medication compliance may be affected by the delivery of disease-specific education and poverty, which is more common in communities of color. Leasure and Sheth agreed that the use of an administrative data set for this study precludes the ability to assess all social, economic, and structural variables that may be related to ICH recurrence. Hinson and Leasure and Sheth emphasized the need for culturally competent interventions to address barriers to medication compliance and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in ICH recurrence.

Author response: Racial/ethnic disparities in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage recurrence.

We thank Dr. Hinson for the interest in our article1 and agree that the mechanisms underlying the associations of race and insurance payer with risk of intracerebral hemorrhage recurrence are complex and likely involve social, economic, and structural factors. An inherent limitation of using administrative data sets for purposes other than they were intended is a lack of data on all variables of interest. Although we were not able to test whether medication adherence is a mediator of the observed associations, we agree that it is likely an important factor, regardless of the insurance payer. Previous studies have demonstrated that racial and ethnic differences in antihypertensive medication adherence are modified by insurance status and age, with the largest racial differences in adherence seen among uninsured and young patients.2 As Dr. Hinson acknowledges, well-designed interventions at multiple levels of influence are needed to address barriers to medication adherence and improve racial and ethnic disparities in stroke outcomes.

Reader response: Racial/ethnic disparities in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage recurrence.

In the article by Leasure et al.,1 the authors sought to better understand the epidemiology of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in a large, racially and ethnically diverse, patient sample. Smaller reports have implicated an association between race and ethnicity with ICH,2 but this is the largest, most carefully controlled work to examine this association to date. The current work yields important insights, specifically that private insurance is associated with lower recurrence and that Black and Asian patients have a higher risk in comparison with White patients.

STudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background and aimsMany patients with prior intracerebral haemorrhage have indications for antithrombotic treatment with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs for prevention of ischaemic events, but it is uncertain whether such treatment is beneficial after intracerebral haemorrhage. STudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage will assess (i) the effects of long-term antithrombotic treatment on the risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage and occlusive vascular events after intracerebral haemorrhage and (ii) whether imaging findings, like cerebral microbleeds, modify these effects.MethodsSTudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage is a multicentre, randomised controlled, open trial of starting versus avoiding antithrombotic treatment after non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage, in patients with an indication for antithrombotic treatment. Participants with vascular disease as an indication for antiplatelet treatment are randomly allocated to antiplatelet treatment or no antithrombotic treatment. Participants with atrial fibrillation as an indication for anticoagulant treatment are randomly allocated to anticoagulant treatment or no anticoagulant treatment. Cerebral CT or MRI is performed before randomisation. Duration of follow-up is at least two years. The primary outcome is recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. Secondary outcomes include occlusive vascular events and death. Assessment of clinical outcomes is performed blinded to treatment allocation. Target recruitment is 500 participants.Trial status: Recruitment to STudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage is on-going. On 30 April 2020, 44 participants had been enrolled in 31 participating hospitals. An individual patient–data meta-analysis is planned with similar randomised trials.

Long-term prognosis after intracerebral haemorrhage.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to determine the risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), ischaemic stroke, all stroke, any vascular event and all-cause mortality in 30-day survivors of ICH, according to age and sex.Patients and methodsWe linked national hospital discharge, population and cause of death registers to obtain a cohort of Dutch 30-day survivors of ICH from 1998 to 2010. We calculated cumulative incidences of recurrent ICH, ischaemic stroke, all stroke and composite vascular outcome, adjusted for competing risk of death and all-cause mortality. Additionally, we compared survival with the general population.ResultsWe included 19,444 ICH-survivors (52% male; median age 72 years, interquartile range 61–79; 78,654 patient-years of follow-up). First-year cumulative incidence of recurrent ICH ranged from 1.5% (95% confidence interval 0.9–2.3; men 35–54 years) to 2.4% (2.0–2.9; women 75–94 years). Depending on age and sex, 10-year risk of recurrent ICH ranged from 3.7% (2.6–5.1; men 35–54 years) to 8.1% (6.9–9.4; women 55–74 years); ischaemic stroke 2.6% to 7.0%, of all stroke 9.9% to 26.2% and of any vascular event 15.0% to 40.4%. Ten-year mortality ranged from 16.7% (35–54 years) to 90.0% (75–94 years). Relative survival was lower in all age-groups of both sexes, ranging from 0.83 (0.80–0.87) in 35- to 54-year-old men to 0.28 (0.24–0.32) in 75- to 94-year-old women.DiscussionICH-survivors are at high risk of recurrent ICH, of ischaemic stroke and other vascular events, and have a sustained reduced survival rate compared to the general population.ConclusionThe high risk of recurrent ICH, other vascular events and prolonged reduced survival-rates warrant clinical trials to determine optimal secondary prevention treatment after ICH.

Association of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use After Intracerebral Hemorrhage With Hemorrhage Recurrence and Depression Severity

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used to treat poststroke depression but are associated with increased incidence of first-ever intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the general population. The decision to treat ICH survivors with SSRIs must therefore balance potential risks of ICH recurrence with presumed benefits on depressive symptoms. To determine whether SSRI use among survivors of primary ICH was associated with ICH recurrence and decreased severity of depressive symptoms. Longitudinal ICH cohort study at a tertiary care center enrolling from January 2006 to December 2017, with follow-up for a median of 53.2 months (interquartile range, 42.3-61.2 months). The study included 1279 consenting individuals (1049 White, 89 Black, 77 Hispanic, and 64 other race/ethnicity) of 1335 eligible patients presenting with primary ICH and who were discharged alive from initial hospitalization for stroke. We conducted univariable and multivariable analyses for ICH recurrence risk and depression severity, including subset analyses for patients with 1 or more of the following characteristics associated with high ICH recurrence risk: (1) lobar ICH; (2) presence of the apolipoprotein ε2/ε4 gene variants; (3) prior history of ICH/TIA/ischemic stroke; and (4) Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity. Mean age of study participants was 71.3 years, with 602 women (47%); of the 1279 participants, 1049 were White, 89 were Black, 77 were Hispanic, and 64 were other race/ethnicity. SSRI exposure was associated with both ICH recurrence (subhazard ratio [SHR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.08-1.59) and resolution of post-ICH depression (SHR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.12 2.09). Among those individuals at high risk for recurrent ICH, SSRIs were associated with further elevation in risk for ICH recurrence (SHR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.22-2.64) compared with all other survivors of ICH (SHR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.42; P = .008 for comparison of effect sizes). The association of SSRI with reduced depressive symptoms did not differ between high those at high risk for recurrent ICH and all other ICH survivors. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure after ICH is associated with both improvement in depressive symptoms and increased risk of recurrent hemorrhagic stroke. Clinical history, neuroimaging data, and genetic biomarkers may help to identify survivors of ICH more likely to safely tolerate SSRI use.

Highlights of Selected Articles July 2020.

Highlights of Selected Articles July 2020.

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease among US minority Survivors of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background Black and Hispanic survivors of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) are at higher risk of recurrent intracranial bleeding when compared to their white counterparts. While established differences in hypertension severity after ICH play a role, they do not fully account for this health disparity. MRI-based markers of chronic Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) are consistently associated with increased risk of recurrent ICH. We therefore sought to investigate whether differences in CSVD subtype and/or severity exist among self-reported race/ethnicity groups. Methods We utilized data from the MGH-ICH study and the ERICH-L study. We collected baseline patient information and MRI-based CSVD markers, in the form of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). We conducted univariable and multivariable analyses for presence and burden of CMBs, differentiating on the basis of two primary CSVD subtypes: Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) and Arteriolo-Sclerosis (AS). Results We analyzed data for a total of 2192 ICH survivors (MGH-ICH study: 991 and ERICH-L: 1201). Of these, 1245 self-identified as white, 460 as black, 392 as Hispanic, and 67 as other race/ethnicity. We found that minority ICH survivors were more likely to have CMBs on MRI scan at time of ICH compared to white participants (54% vs. 41%, p Conclusion Minority ICH survivors presented with greater CSVD burden on MRI scan at time of stroke, especially as it pertains to the AS-subtype. Given the known association between AS and hypertension, our findings may reflect disparities in primary stroke prevention long pre-dating ICH. Future studies will be required to clarify the impact of our findings on ICH recurrence risk.

Convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage in lobar intracerebral hemorrhage: A prognostic marker.

To investigate whether acute convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH) associated with acute lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) increases the risk of ICH recurrence in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of consecutive survivors of acute spontaneous lobar ICH fulfilling the Boston criteria for possible or probable CAA (CAA-ICH). We analyzed baseline clinical and MRI data, including cSAH (categorized as adjacent or remote from ICH on a standardized scale), cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), and other CAA MRI markers. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the association between cSAH and recurrent symptomatic ICH during follow-up. We included 261 CAA-ICH survivors (mean age 76.2 ± 8.7 years). Of them, 166 (63.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 57.7%-69.5%) had cSAH on baseline MRI. During a median follow-up of 28.3 (interquartile range 7.2-57.0) months, 54 (20.7%) patients experienced a recurrent lobar ICH. In Cox regression, any cSAH, adjacent cSAH, and remote cSAH were independent predictors of recurrent ICH after adjustment for other confounders, including cSS. Incidence rate of recurrent ICH in patients with cSAH was 9.9 per 100 person-years (95% CI 7.3-13.0) compared with 1.2 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0.3-3.2) in those without cSAH (adjusted hazard ratio 7.5, 95% CI 2.6-21.1). In patients with CAA-related acute ICH, cSAH (adjacent or remote from lobar ICH) is commonly observed and heralds an increased risk of recurrent ICH. cSAH may help stratify bleeding risk and should be assessed along with cSS for prognosis and clinical management.

Net clinical benefit of anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation following intracerebral hemorrhage.

Following an anticoagulation-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), whether and when to resume anticoagulation is controversial. Patient-level recurrence risk is difficult to predict with accuracy, but time-based recurrence risk may be more predictable. To better inform clinical decisions, we set out to estimate the net clinical benefit of anticoagulation over time among patients with atrial fibrillation. Using a large administrative dataset with 5339 index ICH hospitalizations and 132 readmissions for ICH, we created a two-stage prediction model, first predicting patient-level risk of recurrence and then predicting timing, conditional on recurrence. A log-normal survival function best explained the declining risk of recurrent ICH over time. We then compared risk of recurrent ICH over time against ischemic stroke risk, weighting the two outcomes to compute the net clinical benefit on each day following an index discharge. Using a bootstrapping approach, we identified the first day following discharge on which anticoagulation would lead to net benefit rather than net harm. Anticoagulation remains harmful for at least 11 days following index discharge and, depending on desired confidence level and assumptions, may remain harmful for as long as 62 days after discharge. Results were sensitive to the overall ICH recurrence risk. Although patient-level risk of recurrent ICH is difficult to predict accurately, recurrence risk declines rapidly over time. The survival function presented herein can inform decision-analytic models regarding when patients should resume anticoagulation following ICH.

Racial/ethnic disparities in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage recurrence.

To estimate the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recurrence in a large, diverse, US-based population and to identify racial/ethnic and socioeconomic subgroups at higher risk. We performed a longitudinal analysis of prospectively collected claims data from all hospitalizations in nonfederal California hospitals between 2005 and 2011. We used validated diagnosis codes to identify nontraumatic ICH and our primary outcome of recurrent ICH. California residents who survived to discharge were included. We used log-rank tests for unadjusted analyses of survival across racial/ethnic groups and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to determine factors associated with risk of recurrence after adjusting for potential confounders. We identified 31,355 California residents with first-recorded ICH who survived to discharge, of whom 15,548 (50%) were white, 6,174 (20%) were Hispanic, 4,205 (14%) were Asian, and 2,772 (9%) were black. There were 1,330 recurrences (4.1%) over a median follow-up of 2.9 years (interquartile range 3.8). The 1-year recurrence rate was 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8%-3.2%). In multivariable analysis, black participants (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22; 95% CI 1.01-1.48; p = 0.04) and Asian participants (HR 1.29; 95% CI 1.10-1.50; p = 0.001) had a higher risk of recurrence than white participants. Private insurance was associated with a significant reduction in risk compared to patients with Medicare (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.50-0.73; p < 0.001), with consistent estimates across racial/ethnic groups. Black and Asian patients had a higher risk of ICH recurrence than white patients, whereas private insurance was associated with reduced risk compared to those with Medicare. Further research is needed to determine the drivers of these disparities.

Clinical Relevance of Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases.

Clinical Relevance of Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases.

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

SummaryBackgroundFindings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy.MethodsRESTART was a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint, parallel-group trial at 122 hospitals in the UK that assessed whether starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. For this prespecified subgroup analysis, consultant neuroradiologists masked to treatment allocation reviewed brain CT or MRI scans performed before randomisation to confirm participant eligibility and rate features of the intracerebral haemorrhage and surrounding brain. We followed participants for primary (recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage) and secondary (ischaemic stroke) outcomes for up to 5 years (reported elsewhere). For this report, we analysed eligible participants with intracerebral haemorrhage according to their treatment allocation in primary subgroup analyses of cerebral microbleeds on MRI and in exploratory subgroup analyses of other features on CT or MRI. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN71907627.FindingsBetween May 22, 2013, and May 31, 2018, 537 participants were enrolled, of whom 525 (98%) had intracerebral haemorrhage: 507 (97%) were diagnosed on CT (252 assigned to start antiplatelet therapy and 255 assigned to avoid antiplatelet therapy, of whom one withdrew and was not analysed) and 254 (48%) underwent the required brain MRI protocol (122 in the start antiplatelet therapy group and 132 in the avoid antiplatelet therapy group). There were no clinically or statistically significant hazards of antiplatelet therapy on recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage in primary subgroup analyses of cerebral microbleed presence (2 or more) versus absence (0 or 1) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·30 [95% CI 0·08–1·13] vs 0·77 [0·13–4·61]; pinteraction=0·41), cerebral microbleed number 0–1 versus 2–4 versus 5 or more (HR 0·77 [0·13–4·62] vs 0·32 [0·03–3·66] vs 0·33 [0·07–1·60]; pinteraction=0·75), or cerebral microbleed strictly lobar versus other location (HR 0·52 [0·004–6·79] vs 0·37 [0·09–1·28]; pinteraction=0·85). There was no evidence of heterogeneity in the effects of antiplatelet therapy in any exploratory subgroup analyses (all pinteraction>0·05).InterpretationOur findings exclude all but a very modest harmful effect of antiplatelet therapy on recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage in the presence of cerebral microbleeds. Further randomised trials are needed to replicate these findings and investigate them with greater precision.FundingBritish Heart Foundation.

Effects of antiplatelet therapy after stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage (RESTART): a randomised, open-label trial

SummaryBackgroundAntiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of major vascular events for people with occlusive vascular disease, although it might increase the risk of intracranial haemorrhage. Patients surviving the commonest subtype of intracranial haemorrhage, intracerebral haemorrhage, are at risk of both haemorrhagic and occlusive vascular events, but whether antiplatelet therapy can be used safely is unclear. We aimed to estimate the relative and absolute effects of antiplatelet therapy on recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage and whether this risk might exceed any reduction of occlusive vascular events.MethodsThe REstart or STop Antithrombotics Randomised Trial (RESTART) was a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint, parallel-group trial at 122 hospitals in the UK. We recruited adults (≥18 years) who were taking antithrombotic (antiplatelet or anticoagulant) therapy for the prevention of occlusive vascular disease when they developed intracerebral haemorrhage, discontinued antithrombotic therapy, and survived for 24 h. Computerised randomisation incorporating minimisation allocated participants (1:1) to start or avoid antiplatelet therapy. We followed participants for the primary outcome (recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage) for up to 5 years. We analysed data from all randomised participants using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for minimisation covariates. This trial is registered with ISRCTN (number ISRCTN71907627).FindingsBetween May 22, 2013, and May 31, 2018, 537 participants were recruited a median of 76 days (IQR 29–146) after intracerebral haemorrhage onset: 268 were assigned to start and 269 (one withdrew) to avoid antiplatelet therapy. Participants were followed for a median of 2·0 years (IQR [1·0– 3·0]; completeness 99·3%). 12 (4%) of 268 participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy had recurrence of intracerebral haemorrhage compared with 23 (9%) of 268 participants allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (adjusted hazard ratio 0·51 [95% CI 0·25–1·03]; p=0·060). 18 (7%) participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy experienced major haemorrhagic events compared with 25 (9%) participants allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (0·71 [0·39–1·30]; p=0·27), and 39 [15%] participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy had major occlusive vascular events compared with 38 [14%] allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (1·02 [0·65–1·60]; p=0·92).InterpretationThese results exclude all but a very modest increase in the risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage with antiplatelet therapy for patients on antithrombotic therapy for the prevention of occlusive vascular disease when they developed intracerebral haemorrhage. The risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage is probably too small to exceed the established benefits of antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention.FundingBritish Heart Foundation.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Recurrence (S15.005)

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Recurrence (S15.005)

Cortical superficial siderosis and recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage risk in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: Large prospective cohort and preliminary meta-analysis.

We aimed to investigate cortical superficial siderosis as an MRI predictor of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recurrence risk in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), in a large prospective MRI cohort and a systematic review. We analyzed a single-center MRI prospective cohort of consecutive CAA-related ICH survivors. Using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses, we investigated cortical superficial siderosis and ICH risk, adjusting for known confounders. We pooled data with eligible published cohorts in a two-stage meta-analysis using random effects models. Covariate-adjusted hazard rations (adj-HR) from pre-specified multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used. The cohort included 240 CAA-ICH survivors (cortical superficial siderosis prevalence: 36%). During a median follow-up of 2.6 years (IQR: 0.9-5.1 years) recurrent ICH occurred in 58 patients (24%). In prespecified multivariable Cox regression models, cortical superficial siderosis presence and disseminated cortical superficial siderosis were independent predictors of increased symptomatic ICH risk at follow-up (HR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.31-3.87, p = 0.003 and HR: 3.59; 95% CI: 1.96-6.57, p < 0.0001, respectively). Three cohorts including 443 CAA-ICH patients in total were eligible for meta-analysis. During a mean follow-up of 2.5 years (range: 2-3 years) 92 patients experienced recurrent ICH (pooled risk ratio: 6.9% per year, 95% CI: 4.2%-9.7% per year). In adjusted pooled analysis, any cortical superficial siderosis and disseminated cortical superficial siderosis were the only independent predictors associated with increased lobar ICH recurrence risk (adj-HR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5-3.7; p < 0.0001, and adj-HR: 4.4; 95% CI: 2-9.9; p < 0.0001, respectively). In CAA-ICH patients, cortical superficial siderosis presence and extent are the most important MRI prognostic risk factors for lobar ICH recurrence. These results can help guide clinical decision making in patients with CAA.

Abstract WMP97: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Recurrence

Background: Race/ethnicity is associated with risk of first-ever spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but the influence of race/ethnicity on risk of ICH recurrence has not been well studied in a large, diverse population. Methods: We used claims data on all discharges from community hospital inpatient stays in California between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011 to identify patients who were hospitalized for ICH. California residents who survived to discharge were included. We used validated diagnosis codes to identify a primary outcome of recurrent ICH. We then used survival curves and log-rank tests for unadjusted analyses of survival across race/ethnic groups and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression to determine factors associated with risk of ICH recurrence after adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Between 2005-2011, we identified 31,554 first-ever ICH patients who survived to discharge, of which 15,828 (50%) were white, 6,254 (20%) Hispanic, 4,268 (14%) Asian, and 2,820 (9%) black. There were 1339 recurrences (4.2%) over a median follow-up time of 2.9 years (IQR 3.8). The 1-year recurrence rate was 3.0% (95% CI 2.8%-3.2%). In univariable and multivariable analysis, blacks (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.48; p=0.035) and Asians (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.10-1.50; p=0.001) had a higher risk of ICH recurrence than whites (reference categories). Private insurance was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of ICH recurrence compared to subjects with Medicare (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50-0.73, p&lt;0.001), with consistent estimates across race/ethnic groups. Conclusions: Black and Asian subjects had a higher risk of ICH recurrence than white or Hispanic subjects. Further research is needed to determine drivers of these disparities.

Abstract WP457: Long-Term Outcome of Resuming Anticoagulation Treatment After Anticoagulation-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: The risk and benefit of restarting oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and an episode of anticoagulation-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain unclear. Many clinicians and patients prefer not to resume OAC after an OAC-associated ICH. Here, we analyzed the long-term outcome of patients with AF who did or did not resume OAC after an OAC-associated ICH. Methods: We studied consecutive patients with AF who were discharged from our institution after an OAC-associated ICH event between 2010 and 2017. Baseline characteristics of patients, past medical history, and history of OAC use were recorded. Outcome measures in our study included recurrent ICH, ischemic stroke or systemic emboli, and death. Results: Out of 115 patients with AF and OAC-associated ICH, 93 patients (mean age 76.2 ± 10.3 years [44-91 years old], 54.3% men) were included in this study. Thirty-eight (40.9%) patients resumed OAC after the episode of OAC-associated ICH. There was no significant difference among the group who resumed OAC and the patients who did not, in terms of mean follow-up duration (1.9 vs. 2.4 years), the type of initial ICH, as well as history of hypertension, diabetes, previous ischemic stroke, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and tobacco use. Although the incidence rate of recurrent ICH was higher among patients who resumed OAC compared with those who did not (55 vs. 15 cases per 1000 patient-years), the difference was not significant (relative risk 2.9; 95% CI, 0.3-30.8). The incidence rate of ischemic stroke or systemic emboli was slightly lower among patients who had resumed OAC (69 vs. 76 cases per 1000 patient-years). However, the difference was not significant (relative risk 0.9; 95% CI, 0.3-2.7). The mortality rate among patient who did and did not resume OAC was 96 and 121 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (relative risk 0.8; 95% CI, 0.3-1.9). Conclusions: We did not observe any significant difference between the group of patients who resumed OAC and the patients who did not in terms of recurrent ICH, ischemic stroke or systemic emboli, and death. However, there was a tendency towards a higher long-term risk of recurrent ICH among patients who resumed OAC.

Statins as secondary preventives in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Statins are important components of secondary stroke prevention, but there is a concern they may increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. Although this risk may have been overestimated, there is still an open question whether statin therapy should be continued, or even initiated, in patients who have had a recent intracerebral hemorrhage. Our aim was to investigate the risk of statin use after an intracerebral hemorrhage with respect to recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage, stroke in general, and death. This observational study was based on patients with a first intracerebral hemorrhage in 2004 through 2009. Clinical characteristics, index intracerebral hemorrhage, and recurrent intracerebral hemorrhages were identified by the Swedish Stroke Register; additional data on comorbidities and vital status were retrieved through record linkages to national registers. A propensity score for the likelihood of receiving statins at discharge was developed and used with other established risk factors in a multivariable analysis. Of 6082 intracerebral hemorrhage patients (mean age 69.6 years), 1097 (18%) were prescribed statins at discharge. During the follow-up (mean 3.1 years), 1434 (23.6%) deaths and 234 (3.8%) recurrent intracerebral hemorrhages were observed. Statin therapy was associated with a reduced risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.71; 95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.84) but not with the risk of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.55-1.22). This study provides some reassurance that statins may be safe to use, in at least some patients, after an intracerebral hemorrhage. In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, statin use was associated with a reduced risk of death, without an increased risk of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage.