Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. However, the excellent medical care has a potent, direct impact on spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) morbidity and mortality.[1] The non-surgical management of intracerebral hemorrhage is mainly directed to hemostasis/coagulopathy management, blood pressure (BP) management, glucose/temperature/seizure management, and other medical complications and procedures, including management of intracranial pressure (ICP) and intraventricular hemorrhage.[2]
For AHA/ASA guidelines for the management of ICH, please click here
Management
For AHA/ASA guidelines for the management of ICH, please click here
Coagulation factor deficiency or platelet disorder treatments
Patients with a known coagulation factor deficiency or platelet disorder:[3][4]
Replacement of the appropriate factor or platelets
Protamine sulfate IV injection at a dose of 1 mg per 100 U of heparin (maximum dose 50 mg) with adjustment based on time elapsed since discontinuation of heparin infusion
Recently new treatments have emerged as potential therapies such as:[5][6]
Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) contains factors II, IX, X, and VII. PCC does not require cross matching, can be reconstituted and administered rapidly in a small volume (20–40 mL) and Several studies have shown that PCCs rapidly normalize the INR (within minutes) in patients taking VKAs.
Activated PCC FEIBA (factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity)
There are no randomized trials of reversing agents for newer anticoagulants among patients with ICH or other major bleeding complications.
Currently available agents in the United States (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) have relatively short half-lives ranging from 5 to 15 hours. Evaluation of the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time and consultation with a hematologist are reasonable to individualize care. Potential reversal strategies using FEIBA, other PCCs, or rFVIIa might be considered.
Activated charcoal can be used if the most recent dose of dabigatran, apixaban, or rivaroxaban was taken within the previous couple of hours[8]
FFP is of unclear utility, and vitamin K is not useful
PCCs may be better for the factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban and apixaban)[9][10]
Hemodialysis has been noted as an option for dabigatran, but less so for rivaroxaban or apixaban[11]
Antiplatelet Medication–Related ICH
Studies addressing the effect of prior antiplatelet agent use or platelet dysfunction on ICH growth and outcome have found conflicting results.[12][13][14][15]
Thromboprophylaxis in ICH Patients
Patients with ICH have a high risk of thromboembolic disease.[16]
Early intensive BP lowering is safe and feasible in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and that surviving patients show modestly better functional recovery, with a reduction in the conventional clinical end point of death and major disability.
It is reasonable for ICH patients to receive early treatment targeted to an SBP level <140 mmHg to improve their chances of achieving better functional recovery
There are fewer data available pertaining to the safety and effectiveness of treatment in patients with very high BP (sustained SBP >220 mm Hg) on presentation, large and more severe ICH, and those requiring surgical decompression.
A randomized trial showing improved outcomes with tight glucose control (range, 80–110 mg/dL) using insulin infusions in mainly surgical critical care patients. However, hypoglycemia should be avoided.[20]
Temperature managemen
Although many studies provide a rationale for treatment of fever in intacerebaral hemorrhage (ICH) patients, maintenance of normothermia has not been clearly demonstrated as beneficial to outcome.[21][22]
Antiseizure drugs
Prophylactic anticonvulsant medication has not been demonstrated to be beneficial.
Clinical seizures or electrographic seizures in patients with a change in mental status should be treated with antisezure drugs.
Continuous EEG monitoring should be considered in ICH patients with depressed mental status that is disproportionate to the degree of brain injury.
ICP Monitoring and Treatment
Because the usual causes of elevated ICP are hydrocephalus from IVH or mass effect from the hematoma (or surrounding edema), patients with small hematomas and limited IVH usually will not require treatment to lower ICP.
Patients with a GCS score of ≤8, those with clinical evidence of transtentorial herniation, or those with significant IVH or hydrocephalus might be consid- ered for ICP monitoring and treatment.
"1.Patients with ICH whose INR is elevated because of VKA should have their VKA withheld, receive therapy to replace vitamin K–dependent factors and correct the INR, and receive intravenous vitamin K (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1.rFVIIa does not replace all clotting factors, and although the INR may be lowered, clotting may not be restored in vivo; therefore, rFVIIa is not recommended for VKA reversal in ICH (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1.For patients with ICH who are taking dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban, treatment with FEIBA, other PCCs, or rFVIIa might be considered on an individual basis. Activated charcoal might be used if the most recent dose of dabigatran, apixaban, or riva- roxaban was taken <2 hours earlier. Hemodialysis might be considered for dabigatran (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1. Although rFVIIa can limit the extent of hematoma expansion in noncoagulopathic ICH patients, there is an increase in thromboembolic risk with rFVIIa and no clear clinical benefit in unselected patients. Thus, rFVIIa is not recommended (Level of Evidence: A)"
"1.Patients with ICH should have intermittent pneu- matic compression for prevention of venous throm- boembolism beginning the day of hospital admission (Level of Evidence: A)"
"1.After documentation of cessation of bleeding, low- dose subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin or unfractionated heparin may be considered for pre- vention of venous thromboembolism in patients with lack of mobility after 1 to 4 days from onset (Level of Evidence: B)"
"1.Systemic anticoagulation or IVC filter placement is probably indicated in ICH patients with symptom- atic DVT or PE (Level of Evidence: C)"
"2. The decision between these 2 options should take into account several factors, including time from hem- orrhage onset, hematoma stability, cause of hemor- rhage, and overall patient condition (Level of Evidence: C)"
BP-Lowering: Recommendations
ICH patients presenting with SBP between 150 and 220 mmHg
"1.For ICH patients presenting with SBP between 150 and 220 mmHg and without contraindication to acute BP treatment, acute lowering of SBP to 140 mm Hg is safe (Level of Evidence: A)"
"1.For ICH patients presenting with SBP between 150 and 220 mmHg and without contraindication to acute BP treatment, acute lowering of SBP to 140 mm Hg ) can be effective for improving functional outcome (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1. For ICH patients presenting with SBP >220 mm Hg, it may be reasonable to consider aggressive reduction of BP with a continuous intravenous infusion and frequent BP monitoring (Level of Evidence: C)"
General Monitoring and Nursing Care: Recommendation
"1.Initial monitoring and management of ICH patients should take place in an intensive care unit or dedicated stroke unit with physician and nursing neuroscience acute care expertis (Level of Evidence: B)"
"1.Clinical seizures should be treated with antiseizure drugs (Level of Evidence: A)"
"2.Patients with a change in mental status who are found to have electrographic seizures on EEG should be treated with antiseizure drugs (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1.Continuous EEG monitoring is probably indicated in ICH patients with depressed mental status that is out of proportion to the degree of brain injury (Level of Evidence: C)"
Management of Medical Complications: Recommendations
"1.A formal screening procedure for dysphagia should be performed in all patients before the initiation of oral intake to reduce the risk of pneumonia(Level of Evidence: B)"
"1.Ventricular drainage as treatment for hydrocephalus is reasonable, especially in patients with decreased level of consciousness (Level of Evidence: B)"
"1. Patients with a GCS score of ≤8, those with clinical evidence of transtentorial herniation, or those with significant IVH or hydrocephalus might be considered for ICP monitoring and treatment. A CPP of 50 to 70 mm Hg may be reasonable to maintain depending on the status of cerebral autoregulation (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1.Although intraventricular administration of rtPA in IVH appears to have a fairly low complication rate, the efficacy and safety of this treatment are uncertain (Level of Evidence: B)"
"2.The efficacy of endoscopic treatment of IVH is uncertain (Level of Evidence: B)"
↑ Schulman S, Bijsterveld NR. Anticoagulants and their reversal. Transfus Med Rev. 2007;21:37–48. doi: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2006.08.002.
↑Andrews CM, Jauch EC, Hemphill JC 3rd, Smith WS, Weingart SD. Emergency neurological life support: intracerebral hemorrhage. Neurocrit Care. 2012;17(suppl 1):S37–S46. doi: 10.1007/s12028-012-9757-2.
↑ Holbrook A, Schulman S, Witt DM, Vandvik PO, Fish J, Kovacs MJ, Svensson PJ, Veenstra DL, Crowther M, Guyatt GH; American College of Chest Physicians. Evidence-based management of anticoagulant therapy: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl):e152S–e184S. doi: 10.1378/ chest.11-2295.
↑Kaatz S, Kouides PA, Garcia DA, Spyropolous AC, Crowther M, Douketis JD, Chan AK, James A, Moll S, Ortel TL, Van Cott EM, Ansell J. Guidance on the emergent reversal of oral thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors. Am J Hematol. 2012;87 Suppl 1:S141–S145. doi: 10.1002/ ajh.23202.
↑Dager WE, Gosselin RC, Roberts AJ. Reversing dabigatran in life-threat- ening bleeding occurring during cardiac ablation with factor eight inhibi- tor bypassing activity. Crit Care Med. 2013;41:e42–e46. doi: 10.1097/ CCM.0b013e31827caaa3.
↑Oh JJ, Akers WS, Lewis D, Ramaiah C, Flynn JD. Recombinant factor VIIa for refractory bleeding after cardiac surgery secondary to antico- agulation with the direct thrombin inhibitor lepirudin. Pharmacotherapy. 2006;26:569–577. doi: 10.1592/phco.26.4.576.
↑Veshchev I, Elran H, Salame K. Recombinant coagulation factor VIIa for rapid preoperative correction of warfarin-related coagulopathy in patients with acute subdural hematoma. Med Sci Monit. 2002;8:CS98–CS100.
↑Sansing LH, Messe SR, Cucchiara BL, Cohen SN, Lyden PD, Kasner SE; CHANT Investigators. Prior antiplatelet use does not affect hem- orrhage growth or outcome after ICH. Neurology. 2009;72:1397–1402. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000342709.31341.88.
↑Naidech AM, Jovanovic B, Liebling S, Garg RK, Bassin SL, Bendok BR, Bernstein RA, Alberts MJ, Batjer HH. Reduced platelet activity is associated with early clot growth and worse 3-month outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke. 2009;40:2398–2401. doi: 10.1161/ STROKEAHA.109.550939.
↑de Gans K, de Haan RJ, Majoie CB, Koopman MM, Brand A, Dijkgraaf MG, Vermeulen M, Roos YB; PATCH Investigators. PATCH: Platelet Transfusion in Cerebral Haemorrhage: study protocol for a multi- centre, randomised, controlled trial. BMC Neurol. 2010;10:19. doi: 10.1186/1471-2377-10-19.
↑Naidech AM, Bernstein RA, Levasseur K, Bassin SL, Bendok BR, Batjer HH, Bleck TP, Alberts MJ. Platelet activity and outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage. Ann Neurol. 2009;65:352–356. doi: 10.1002/ ana.21618.
↑Gregory PC, Kuhlemeier KV. Prevalence of venous thromboembolism in acute hemorrhagic and thromboembolic stroke. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2003;82:364–369. doi: 10.1097/01.PHM.0000064725.62897.A5.
↑ Dennis M, Sandercock P, Reid J, Graham C, Forbes J, Murray G; CLOTS (Clots in Legs Or sTockings after Stroke) Trials Collaboration. Effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in reduction of risk of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have had a stroke (CLOTS 3): a multicentre randomised controlled trial [published corrections appear in Lancet. 2013;382:506 and Lancet. 2013;382:1020]. Lancet. 2013;382:516–524. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61050-8.
↑Kelly J, Hunt BJ, Lewis RR, Rudd A. Anticoagulation or inferior vena cava filter placement for patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage developing venous thromboembolism? Stroke. 2003;34:2999–3005. doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000102561.86835.17.
↑Castaño Ávila S, Corral Lozano E, Vallejo De La Cueva A, Maynar Moliner J, Martín López A, Fonseca San Miguel F, Urturi Matos JA, Manzano Ramírez A. Intraventricular hemorrhage treated with intraven- tricular fibrinolysis: a 10-year experie
↑King NK, Lai JL, Tan LB, Lee KK, Pang BC, Ng I, Wang E. A ran- domized, placebo-controlled pilot study of patients with spontaneous intraventricular haemorrhage treated with intraventricular thrombolysis. J Clin Neurosci. 2012;19:961–964. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2011.09.030.