The Intracerebral Hemorrhage Acutely Decreasing Arterial Pressure Trial

Is the Effect of Intensive Antihypertensive Treatment in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Dependent on Hematoma Volume? A Traditional Meta-analysis of the Effect of Antihypertensive Regimens, a Bayesian Network Meta-analysis of the Mortality of Antihypertensive Drugs and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intensive or conventional antihypertensive treatment for acute intracerebral hemorrhage is still controversial. This study aimed to compare those antihypertensive regimens and analyze the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs.

METHODS

Retrieval was conducted through four databases. Meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the safety of antihypertensive treatments and the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs.

RESULTS

A total of 9271 patients were included. Intensive strategy showed an advantage in 24-h hematoma enlargement (relative risk, RR = 0.76; 95% confidence intervals, CI = 0.67-0.87; P < 0.0001) and 90-day intracranial rebleeding (RR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.52-0.96, P = 0.03) compared with conventional strategy. Meanwhile, the 90-day renal insufficiency (RR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.05-5.05, P = 0.04) and renal failure (RR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.20-4.86, P = 0.01) were increased. When cerebral hematoma volume was less than 15 ml, intensive strategy had a protective effect on 24-h hematoma enlargement (RR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.67-0.89, P = 0.0003), but it increased 90-day renal failure (RR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.07-5.04, P = 0.03). For the volume greater than 15 ml, it enhanced 90-day functional independence (RR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65-0.94, P = 0.01) and decreased intracranial rebleeding (RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.49-0.94, P = 0.02). Labetalol was the best, with the mortality risk probability of 0.09 and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve of 0.33.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that for intracerebral hematoma volume greater than 15 ml, intensive antihypertensive treatment can improve functional independence and reduce intracranial bleeding. Labetalol has the best effect among the four antihypertensive regimens studied.

Acute Blood Pressure Lowering and Risk of Ischemic Lesions on MRI After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Importance

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions have been demonstrated in patients with subacute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), suggesting ischemic injury, which may be related to blood pressure (BP) reduction.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that acute intensive BP lowering is associated with DWI lesions after ICH.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Intracerebral Hemorrhage Acutely Decreasing Arterial Pressure Trial 2 (ICHADAPT-2) was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-end point trial. Between November 2012 and August 2022, patients with ICH presenting within 6 hours of onset were randomized to a systolic BP (SBP) target of less than 140 mm Hg or less than 180 mm Hg. The trial was conducted at 3 comprehensive stroke centers in Canada and Australia, including 1 telestroke referral hub and 1 community stroke hospital. A total of 162 patients with acute ICH were randomized. The primary analysis population was restricted to those undergoing DWI at 48 hours.

Intervention

Patients were randomly assigned to an acute SBP target of less than 140 mm Hg or less than 180 mm Hg.

Main Outcome and Measure

The primary end point was the incidence of acute DWI lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging obtained 48 ± 12 hours after randomization.

Results

DWI was obtained in 79 (48% female) patients with a mean (SD) age of 71 (13) years and median baseline ICH volume of 11.2 (range, 0.5-122.2) mL. The median times from onset to randomization and DWI were 3.17 (range, 0.7-14.6) hours and 51.6 (range, 17.0-121.4) hours, respectively. Mean (SD) baseline SBP was 183 (22) mm Hg in the less than 140 mm Hg target group and 181 (28) mm Hg in the less than 180 mm Hg target group. Mean SBP was lower over the 48-hour period after randomization in the less than 140 mm Hg group (mean difference, 18.9 mm Hg [95% CI, 17.6-20.2]; P < .001). DWI lesions were detected in 13 of 42 patients (31%) in the less than 140 mm Hg group and 14 of 37 patients (38%) in the less than 180 mm Hg group (odds ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.12-4.64]; P = .32). The median number of DWI lesions (1 [95% CI, 1-10] vs 1.5 [95% CI, 1-10]; P = .26) and total DWI lesion volume (0.1 [95% CI, 0.01-41.3] mL vs 0.3 [95% CI, 0.02-2.03] mL; P = .17) were not different in the less than 140 mm Hg and less than 180 mm Hg groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

DWI lesion frequency and volume were unaffected by intensive antihypertensive therapy. These results support the safety of early BP reduction in acute ICH.

Liberal or Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The effect of a liberal red-cell transfusion strategy as compared with a restrictive strategy in patients during the critical care period after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is unclear.

METHODS

We randomly assigned critically ill adults with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and anemia to a liberal strategy (mandatory transfusion at a hemoglobin level of ≤10 g per deciliter) or a restrictive strategy (optional transfusion at a hemoglobin level of ≤8 g per deciliter). The primary outcome was an unfavorable neurologic outcome, defined as a score of 4 or higher on the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability), at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included 12-month functional independence as assessed with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM; scores range from 18 to 126) and quality of life as assessed with the EuroQol five-dimension, five-level (EQ-5D-5L) utility index (scores range from -0.1 to 0.95) and a visual analogue scale (VAS; scores range from 0 to 100); on each assessment, higher scores indicate better health status or quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 742 patients underwent randomization at 23 centers. The analysis of the primary outcome at 12 months included 725 patients (97.7%). An unfavorable neurologic outcome occurred in 122 of 364 patients (33.5%) in the liberal-strategy group and in 136 of 361 patients (37.7%) in the restrictive-strategy group (risk ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72 to 1.09; P = 0.22). The mean (±SD) FIM score was 82.8±54.6 in the liberal-strategy group and 79.8±54.5 in the restrictive-strategy group (mean difference, 3.01; 95% CI, -5.49 to 11.51). The mean EQ-5D-5L utility index score was 0.5±0.4 in both groups (mean difference, 0.02; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.09). The mean VAS score was 52.1±37.5 in the liberal-strategy group and 50±37.1 in the restrictive-strategy group (mean difference, 2.08; 95% CI, -3.76 to 7.93). The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and anemia, a liberal transfusion strategy did not result in a lower risk of an unfavorable neurologic outcome at 12 months than a restrictive strategy. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; SAHARA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03309579.).

Individualized autoregulation-guided arterial blood pressure management in neurocritical care

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is the physiological process by which cerebral blood flow is maintained during fluctuations in arterial blood pressure (ABP). There are various validated methods to measure CA, either invasively, with intracranial pressure or brain tissue oxygenation monitors, or noninvasively, with transcranial Doppler ultrasound or near-infrared spectroscopy. Utilizing these monitors, researchers have been able to discern CA patterns in several pathological states, such as but not limited to acute ischemic stroke, spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, sepsis, and post-cardiac arrest, and they have found CA to be altered in these patients. CA disturbances predispose patients suffering from these ailments to worse outcomes. Much focus has been placed on CA monitoring in these populations, with an emphasis on arterial blood pressure optimization. Many guidelines recommend universal static ABP targets; however, in patients with altered CA, these targets may make them susceptible to hypoperfusion and further neurological injury. Based on this observation, there has been much investigation on individualized ABP goals and their effect on clinical outcomes. The scope of this review includes (1) a summary of the physiology of CA in healthy adults; (2) a review of the evidence on CA monitoring in healthy individuals; (3) a summary of CA changes and its effect on outcomes in various diseased states including acute ischemic stroke, spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, sepsis and meningitis, post-cardiac arrest, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, surgery, and moyamoya disease; and (4) a review of the current evidence on individualized ABP changes in various patient populations.

Premorbid Blood Pressure Control Modifies Risk of DWI Lesions With Acute Blood Pressure Reduction in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Hypoperfusion due to blood pressure (BP) reduction is a potential mechanism of cerebral ischemia after intracerebral hemorrhage. However, prior evaluations of the relationship between BP reduction and ischemia have been conflicting. Untreated chronic hypertension is common in intracerebral hemorrhage and alters cerebral autoregulation. We hypothesized that the risk of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensities from acute BP reduction is modified by premorbid BP control.

METHODS

Individuals enrolled in the ERICH study (Ethnic/Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage) from 2010 to 2015 were categorized as untreated, treated, or nonhypertensive based on preintracerebral hemorrhage diagnosis and antihypertensive medication use. The percent reduction of systolic BP (SBP) was calculated between presentation and 24 hours from admission. The primary outcome was the presence of DWI lesions. Using logistic regression, we tested the association between chronic hypertension status, SBP reduction, and their interaction with DWI lesion presence.

RESULTS

From 3000 participants, 877 with available magnetic resonance imaging met inclusion (mean age, 60.5±13.3 years; 42.5% women). DWI lesions were detected in 25.9%. Untreated, treated, and no hypertension accounted for 32.6%, 47.9%, and 19.5% of cases, respectively. SBP reduction was not directly associated with DWI lesions; however, an interaction effect was observed between SBP reduction and chronic hypertension status (P=0.036). Nonhypertensive subjects demonstrated a linear risk of DWI lesion presence with greater SBP reduction, whereas untreated hypertension demonstrated a stable risk across a wide range of SBP reduction (P=0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Premorbid BP control, especially untreated hypertension, may influence the relationship between DWI lesions and acute BP reduction after intracerebral hemorrhage.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01202864.

Minimally Invasive Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation Improves Pericavity Cerebral Blood Volume

Cerebral blood volume mapping can characterize hemodynamic changes within brain tissue, particularly after stroke. This study aims to quantify blood volume changes in the perihematomal parenchyma and pericavity parenchyma after minimally invasive intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation (MIS for ICH). Thirty-two patients underwent MIS for ICH with pre- and post-operative CT imaging and intraoperative perfusion imaging (DynaCT PBV Neuro, Artis Q, Siemens). The pre-operative and post-operative CT scans were segmented using ITK-SNAP software to calculate hematoma volumes and to delineate the pericavity tissue. Helical CT segmentations were registered to cone beam CT data using elastix software. Mean blood volumes were computed inside subvolumes by dilating the segmentations at increasing distances from the lesion. Pre-operative perihematomal blood volumes and post-operative pericavity blood volumes (PBV) were compared. In 27 patients with complete imaging, post-operative PBV significantly increased within the 6-mm pericavity region after MIS for ICH. The mean relative PBV increased by 21.6 and 9.1% at 3 mm and 6 mm, respectively (P = 0.001 and 0.016, respectively). At the 9-mm pericavity region, there was a 2.83% increase in mean relative PBV, though no longer statistically significant. PBV analysis demonstrated a significant increase in pericavity cerebral blood volume after minimally invasive ICH evacuation to a distance of 6 mm from the border of the lesion.

Reversal of Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis by Minimally Invasive Intracerebral Hematoma Evacuation

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Acute intracerebral hematomas are known to induce significant mass effects within the brain, leading to critical complications such as cerebral midline shift, herniation, and increased intracranial pressure. The timing and efficacy of intracerebral hematoma evacuation remain subjects of ongoing debate in current literature.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

In our case report, we present a 74-year-old female patient diagnosed with basal ganglia hematoma. The resultant mass effect from the intracerebral hematoma led to middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis. Notably, early-stage minimally invasive hematoma evacuation was pivotal in facilitating successful revascularization of the MCA.

CONCLUSION

Our case underscores the significance of prompt identification and management of MCA stenosis arising from intracerebral hematoma. Early intervention through minimally invasive hematoma evacuation proved instrumental in achieving successful MCA revascularization. These findings emphasize the critical role of timely interventions in mitigating potential complications associated with intracerebral hematoma.

Prediction of early hematoma expansion of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage based on deep learning radiomics features of noncontrast computed tomography

OBJECTIVES

Aimed to develop a nomogram model based on deep learning features and radiomics features for the prediction of early hematoma expansion.

METHODS

A total of 561 cases of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) with baseline Noncontrast Computed Tomography (NCCT) were included. The metrics of hematoma detection were evaluated by Intersection over Union (IoU), Dice coefficient (Dice), and accuracy (ACC). The semantic features of sICH were judged by EfficientNet-B0 classification model. Radiomics analysis was performed based on the region of interest which was automatically segmented by deep learning. A combined model was constructed in order to predict the early expansion of hematoma using multivariate binary logistic regression, and a nomogram and calibration curve were drawn to verify its predictive efficacy by ROC analysis.

RESULTS

The accuracy of hematoma detection by segmentation model was 98.2% for IoU greater than 0.6 and 76.5% for IoU greater than 0.8 in the training cohort. In the validation cohort, the accuracy was 86.6% for IoU greater than 0.6 and 70.0% for IoU greater than 0.8. The AUCs of the deep learning model to judge semantic features were 0.95 to 0.99 in the training cohort, while in the validation cohort, the values were 0.71 to 0.83. The deep learning radiomics model showed a better performance with higher AUC in training cohort (0.87), internal validation cohort (0.83), and external validation cohort (0.82) than either semantic features or Radscore.

CONCLUSION

The combined model based on deep learning features and radiomics features has certain efficiency for judging the risk grade of hematoma.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Our study revealed that the deep learning model can significantly improve the work efficiency of segmentation and semantic feature classification of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The combined model has a good prediction efficiency for early hematoma expansion.

KEY POINTS

• We employ a deep learning algorithm to perform segmentation and semantic feature classification of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and construct a prediction model for early hematoma expansion. • The deep learning radiomics model shows a favorable performance for the prediction of early hematoma expansion. • The combined model holds the potential to be used as a tool in judging the risk grade of hematoma.

Beyond the brain: General intensive care considerations in pediatric neurocritical care

Managing children with critical neurological conditions requires a comprehensive understanding of several principles of critical care. Providing a holistic approach that addresses not only the acute interactions between the brain and different organ systems, but also critical illness-associated complications and recovery is essential for improving outcomes in these patients. The brain reacts to an insult with autonomic responses designed to optimize cardiac output and perfusion, which can paradoxically be detrimental. Managing neuro-cardiac interactions therefore requires balancing adequate cerebral perfusion and minimizing complications. The need for intubation and airway protection in patients with acute encephalopathy should be individualized following careful risk/benefit deliberations. Ventilatory strategies can have profound impact on cerebral perfusion. Therefore, understanding neuro-pulmonary interactions is vital to optimize ventilation and oxygenation to support a healing brain. Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common and often complicates the care of patients with critical neurological conditions. Kidney function, along with fluid status and electrolyte derangements, should also be carefully managed in the acutely injured brain. While in the pediatric intensive care unit, prevention of critical illness-associated complications such as healthcare-associated infections and deep vein thrombosis is vital in improving outcomes. As the brain emerges from the acute injury, rehabilitation and management of delirium and paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity is paramount for optimal recovery. All these considerations provide a foundation for the care of pediatric patients with critical neurological conditions in the intensive care unit.

Clinical Performance Measures for Emergency Department Care for Adults With Intracranial Hemorrhage

Though select inpatient-based performance measures exist for the care of patients with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage, emergency departments lack measurement instruments designed to support and improve care processes in the hyperacute phase. To address this, we propose a set of measures applying a syndromic (rather than diagnosis-based) approach informed by performance data from a national sample of community EDs participating in the Emergency Quality Network Stroke Initiative. To develop the measure set, we convened a workgroup of experts in acute neurologic emergencies. The group considered the appropriate use case for each proposed measure: internal quality improvement, benchmarking, or accountability, and examined data from Emergency Quality Network Stroke Initiative-participating EDs to consider the validity and feasibility of proposed measures for quality measurement and improvement applications. The initially conceived set included 14 measure concepts, of which 7 were selected for inclusion in the measure set after a review of data and further deliberation. Proposed measures include 2 for quality improvement, benchmarking, and accountability (Last 2 Recorded Systolic Blood Pressure Measurements Under 150 and Platelet Avoidance), 3 for quality improvement and benchmarking (Proportion of Patients on Oral Anticoagulants Receiving Hemostatic Medications, Median ED Length of Stay for admitted patients, and Median Length of Stay for transferred patients), and 2 for quality improvement only (Severity Assessment in the ED and Computed Tomography Angiography Performance). The proposed measure set warrants further development and validation to support broader implementation and advance national health care quality goals. Ultimately, applying these measures may help identify opportunities for improvement and focus quality improvement resources on evidence-based targets.

The L-shaped correlation between systolic blood pressure and short-term and long-term mortality in patients with cerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

A large amount of evidence has shown the necessity of lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage, but whether reducing BP contributes to lower short-term and long-term mortality in these patients remains uncertain.

AIMS

We aimed to explore the association between BP, including systolic and diastolic BP, during intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 1-month and 1-year mortality after discharge of patients with cerebral hemorrhage.

METHODS

A total of 1085 patients with cerebral hemorrhage were obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database. Maximum and minimum values of systolic and diastolic BP in these patients during their ICU stay were recorded, and endpoint events were defined as the 1-month mortality and 1-year mortality after the first admission. Multivariable adjusted models were performed for the association of BP with the endpoint events.

RESULTS

We observed that patients with hypertension were likely to be older, Asian or Black and had worse health insurance and higher systolic BP than those without hypertension. The logistic regression analysis showed inverse relationships between systolic BP-min (odds ratio (OR) = 0.986, 95% CI 0.983-0.989, P < 0.001) and diastolic BP-min (OR = 0.975, 95% CI 0.968-0.981, P < 0.001) and risks of 1-month, as well as 1-year mortality when controlling for confounders including age, sex, race, insurance, heart failure, myocardial infarct, malignancy, cerebral infarction, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, smooth curve analysis suggested an approximate L-shaped association of systolic BP with the risk of 1-month mortality and 1-year mortality. Reducing systolic BP in the range of 100-150 mmHg has a lower death risk in these patients with cerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

We observed an L-shaped association between systolic BP levels and the risks of 1-month and 1-year mortality in patients with cerebral hemorrhage, which supported that lowering BP when treating an acute hypertensive response could reduce short-term and long-term mortality.

Early blood pressure management in hemorrhagic stroke: a meta-analysis

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the outcomes and effects of different systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering in patients with hemorrhagic stroke using data from randomized controlled trials. A total of 2592 records were identified for this meta-analysis. We finally included 8 studies (6119 patients; mean age 62.8 ± 13.0, 62.7% men). No evidence of heterogeneity between estimates (I² = 0% < 50%, P = 0.26), or publication bias in the funnel plots (P = 0.065, Egger statistical test) was detected. Death or major disability rates were similar between patients with intensive BP-lowering treatment (SBP < 140 mmHg) and those receiving guideline BP-lowering treatment (SBP < 180 mmHg). Intensive BP-lowering treatment may have a better functional outcome, but the results were not significantly different (log RR = - 0.03, 95% CI: - 0.09 to 0.02; P = 0.55). Intensive BP-lowering treatment tended to be associated with lower early hematoma growth compared with guideline treatment (log RR = - 0.24, 95% CI - 0.38, - 0.11; P < 0.001). Intensive BP-lowering helps reduce hematoma enlargement in the early stage of acute hemorrhagic stroke. However, this observation did not translate into functional outcomes. Further research is needed to clarify the specific scope and time of blood pressure reduction.

Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Lesions After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common subtype of stroke and places a great burden on the family and society with a high mortality and disability rate and a poor prognosis. Many findings from imaging and pathologic studies have suggested that cerebral ischemic lesions visualized on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with ICH are not rare and are generally considered to be associated with poor outcome, increased risk of recurrent (ischemic and hemorrhagic) stroke, cognitive impairment, and death. In this review, we describe the changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and DWI lesions after ICH and discuss the risk factors and possible mechanisms related to the occurrence of DWI lesions, such as cerebral microangiopathy, cerebral atherosclerosis, aggressive early blood pressure lowering, hyperglycemia, and inflammatory response. We also point out that a better understanding of cerebral DWI lesions will be a key step toward potential therapeutic interventions to improve long-term recovery for patients with ICH.

Review of Long-Term Blood Pressure Control After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Challenges and Opportunities

Blood pressure (BP) is the most important modifiable risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Elevated BP is associated with an increased risk of ICH, worse outcome after ICH, and in survivors, higher risks of recurrent ICH, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and cognitive impairment/dementia. As intensive BP control probably improves the chances of recovery from acute ICH, the early use of intravenous or oral medications to achieve a systolic BP goal of <140 mm Hg within the first few hours of presentation is reasonable for being applied in most patients. In the long-term, oral antihypertensive drugs should be titrated as soon as possible to achieve a goal BP <130/80 mm Hg and again in all ICH patients regardless of age, location, or presumed mechanism of ICH. The degree of sustained BP reduction, rather than the choice of BP-lowering agent(s), is the most important factor for optimizing risk reduction, with varying combinations of thiazide-type diuretics, long-acting calcium channel blockers, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, being the mainstay of therapy. As most patients will require multiple BP-lowering agents, and physician inertia and poor adherence are major barriers to effective BP control, single-pill combination therapy should be considered as the choice of management where available. Increased population and clinician awareness, and innovations to solving patient, provider, and social factors, have much to offer for improving BP control after ICH and more broadly across high-risk groups. It is critical that all physicians, especially those managing ICH patients, emphasize the importance of BP control in their practice.

Cerebral Hemorrhage: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Future Directions

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating form of stroke with high morbidity and mortality. This review article focuses on the epidemiology, cause, mechanisms of injury, current treatment strategies, and future research directions of ICH. Incidence of hemorrhagic stroke has increased worldwide over the past 40 years, with shifts in the cause over time as hypertension management has improved and anticoagulant use has increased. Preclinical and clinical trials have elucidated the underlying ICH cause and mechanisms of injury from ICH including the complex interaction between edema, inflammation, iron-induced injury, and oxidative stress. Several trials have investigated optimal medical and surgical management of ICH without clear improvement in survival and functional outcomes. Ongoing research into novel approaches for ICH management provide hope for reducing the devastating effect of this disease in the future. Areas of promise in ICH therapy include prognostic biomarkers and primary prevention based on disease pathobiology, ultra-early hemostatic therapy, minimally invasive surgery, and perihematomal protection against inflammatory brain injury.

Blood Pressure Management After Intracerebral and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Knowns and Known Unknowns

Blood pressure (BP) elevations often complicate the management of intracerebral hemorrhage and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, the most serious forms of acute stroke. Despite consensus on potential benefits of BP lowering in the acute phase of intracerebral hemorrhage, controversies persist over the timing, mechanisms, and approaches to treatment. BP control is even more complex for subarachnoid hemorrhage, where there are rationales for both BP lowering and elevation in reducing the risks of rebleeding and delayed cerebral ischemia, respectively. Efforts to disentangle the evidence has involved detailed exploration of individual patient data from clinical trials through meta-analysis to determine strength and direction of BP change in relation to key outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage, and which likely also apply to subarachnoid hemorrhage. A wealth of hemodynamic data provides insights into pathophysiological interrelationships of BP and cerebral blood flow. This focused update provides an overview of current evidence, knowledge gaps, and emerging concepts on systemic hemodynamics, cerebral autoregulation and perfusion, to facilitate clinical practice recommendations and future research.

Insights into a personalized management of blood pressure in acute stroke

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Blood pressure management in acute stroke has long been a matter of debate. Epidemiological data show that high blood pressure is associated with death, disability and early stroke recurrence, whereas the pathophysiological rationale for ensuring elevated blood pressure in order maintain adequate cerebral perfusion remains a pertinent argument, especially in ischaemic stroke.

RECENT FINDINGS

The European Stroke Organisation Guidelines on blood pressure management in acute ischaemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage provide recommendations for the appropriate management of blood pressure in various clinical acute stroke settings.

SUMMARY

In this narrative review, we provide specific updates on blood pressure management in ICH, blood pressure management in the setting of reperfusion therapies for ischaemic stroke, and the evidence for the use of induced hypertension in patients with acute ischaemic stroke in the light of the recent guidelines.

Ischemia in intracerebral hemorrhage: A comparative study of small-vessel and large-vessel diseases

Objective

This study aimed to compare effects of cerebral small‐vessel disease (cSVD) burden and cerebral artery stenosis (CAS) on acute ischemia in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and their interaction with mean arterial pressure (MAP) change.

Methods

We recruited consecutive patients with acute primary ICH. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and angiography were performed to quantify diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) lesions, CAS, and cSVD markers, which were calculated for the total cSVD score. Multivariable regression models were adopted to explore their associations by DWI lesions size (<15 vs. ≥15 mm) and median MAP change stratification.

Results

Of 305 included patients (mean age 59.5 years, 67.9% males), 77 (25.2%) had DWI lesions (small, 79.2%; large, 20.8%) and 67 (22.0%) had moderate and severe CAS. In multivariable analysis, small DWI lesions were independently associated with higher total cSVD score (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36–2.41). and large DWI lesions were associated with more severe CAS (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.17–5.38). This association was modified by MAP change (interaction p = 0.016), with stratified analysis showing an increased risk of large DWI lesions in severe CAS with greater MAP change (≥44 mmHg) (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.13–10.74) but not with mild MAP change (<44 mmHg) (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.20–7.34).

Interpretation

Total cSVD burden is associated with small DWI lesions, whereas the degree of CAS is associated with large DWI lesions, specifically with greater MAP change, suggesting that large‐artery atherosclerosis may be involved in ischemic brain injury, which is different from small‐vessel pathogenesis in ICH.

Individualized blood pressure targets in the postoperative care of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Recent guidelines recommend targeting a systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mm Hg in the early management of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The optimal SBP targets for ICH patients after hematoma evacuation (HE) remain unclear. Here, the authors aimed to define the optimal SBP range based on multimodal neuromonitoring data.

METHODS

Forty poor-grade ICH patients who had undergone HE and then monitoring of intracerebral pressure, brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2), and cerebral metabolism (via cerebral microdialysis [CMD]) were prospectively included. Episodes of brain tissue hypoxia (BTH) (1-hour averaged PbtO2 < 20 mm Hg) and metabolic distress (CMD-lactate/pyruvate ratio [LPR] ≥ 40) were identified and linked to corresponding parameters of hemodynamic monitoring (SBP and cerebral perfusion pressure [CPP]). Multivariable regression analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations to identify associations between SBP levels, PbtO2, and brain metabolism.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 60 (range 51-66) years and the median [IQR] initial ICH volume was 47 [29-60] ml. In multivariable models adjusted for Glasgow Coma Scale score, probe location, ICH volume, and age, lower SBP was independently associated with a higher risk of BTH (≤ 120 mm Hg: adjusted OR 2.9, p = 0.007; 120-130 mm Hg: adj OR 2.4, p = 0.002; 130-140 mm Hg: adj OR 1.6, p = 0.017) compared to a reference range of 140-150 mm Hg at the level of the foramen interventriculare Monroi, which corresponded to a CPP of 70-80 mm Hg and SBP levels between 150 and 160 mm Hg at the heart level. After exclusion of episodes with mitochondrial dysfunction, SBP targets < 140 mm Hg were associated with higher odds of cerebral metabolic distress (≤ 130 mm Hg: OR 2.5, p = 0.041; 130-140 mm Hg: OR 2.3, p = 0.033). Patients with a modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 5 at neurological ICU discharge more often exhibited BTH than patients with better outcomes (51% vs 10%, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that lower SPB and CPP levels are associated with a higher risk for BTH. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether a higher SPB target may prevent BTH and improve outcomes.

Hemorrhagic Transformation After Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Management

Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is one of the complications most likely to lead to death in patients with acute ischemic stroke. HT after acute ischemic stroke is diagnosed when certain areas of cerebral infarction appear as cerebral hemorrhage on radiological images. Its mechanisms are usually explained by disruption of the blood-brain barrier and reperfusion injury that causes leakage of peripheral blood cells. In ischemic infarction, HT may be a natural progression of acute ischemic stroke and can be facilitated or enhanced by reperfusion therapy. Therefore, to balance risks and benefits, HT occurrence in acute stroke settings is an important factor to be considered by physicians to determine whether recanalization therapy should be performed. This review aims to illustrate the pathophysiological mechanisms of HT, outline most HT-related factors after reperfusion therapy, and describe prevention strategies for the occurrence and enlargement of HT, such as blood pressure control. Finally, we propose a promising therapeutic approach based on biological research studies that would help clinicians treat such catastrophic complications.

Delays in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Management Is Associated with Hematoma Expansion and Worse Outcomes: Changes in COVID-19 Era

PURPOSE

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the emergency medical care system worldwide. We analyzed the changes in the management of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and compared the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From March to October of the COVID-19 era (2020), 83 consecutive patients with ICH were admitted to four comprehensive stroke centers. We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients and compared the treatment workflow metrics, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes with the patients admitted during the same period of pre-COVID-19 era (2017-2019).

RESULTS

Three hundred thirty-eight patients (83 in COVID-19 era and 255 in pre-COVID-19 era) were included in this study. Symptom onset/detection-to-door time [COVID-19; 56.0 min (34.0-106.0), pre-COVID-19; 40.0 min (27.0-98.0), p=0.016] and median door to-intensive treatment time differed between the two groups [COVID-19; 349.0 min (177.0-560.0), pre-COVID-19; 184.0 min (134.0-271.0), p<0.001]. Hematoma expansion was detected more significantly in the COVID-19 era (39.8% vs. 22.1%, p=0.002). At 3-month follow-up, clinical outcomes of patients were worse in the COVID-19 era (Good modified Rankin Scale; 33.7% in COVID19, 46.7% in pre-COVID-19, p=0.039).

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 era, delays in management of ICH was associated with hematoma expansion and worse outcomes.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second most common type of stroke. This article summarizes the basic pathophysiology, classification, and management of ICH and discusses the available evidence on therapy for hematoma, hematoma expansion, and perihematomal edema.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current available data on potential therapeutic options for ICH are promising, although none of the trials have shown improvement in mortality rate. The literature available on reversal of anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents after an ICH and resumption of these medications is also increasing.

SUMMARY

ICH continues to have high morbidity and mortality. Advances in therapeutic options to target secondary brain injury from the hematoma, hematoma expansion, and perihematomal edema are increasing. Data on reversal therapy for anticoagulant-associated or antiplatelet-associated ICH and resumption of these medications are evolving.

The Influence of Diffusion Weighted Imaging Lesions on Outcomes in Patients with Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) lesions have been well described in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). However, there are limited data on the influence of these lesions on sICH functional outcomes. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study with blinded imaging and outcomes assessment to determine the influence of DWI lesions on long-term outcomes in patients with acute sICH. We hypothesized that DWI lesions are associated with worse modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months after hospital discharge.

METHODS

Consecutive sICH patients meeting study criteria were consented for an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and evaluated for remote DWI lesions by neuroradiologists blinded to the patients' hospital course. Blinded mRS outcomes were obtained at 3 months. Logistic regression was used to determine significant factors (p < 0.05) associated with worse functional outcomes defined as an mRS of 4-6. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used to investigate the effect of DWI lesions on dichotomized mRS (0-3 vs 4-6) longitudinally.

RESULTS

DWI lesions were found in 60 of 121 patients (49.6%). The presence of a DWI lesion was associated with increased odds for an mRS of 4-6 at 3 months (OR 5.987, 95% CI 1.409-25.435, p = 0.015) in logistic regression. Using the GEE model, patients with a DWI lesion were less likely to recover over time between 14 days/discharge and 3 months (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

DWI lesions are common in primary sICH, occurring in almost half of our cohort. Our data suggest that DWI lesions are associated with worse mRS at 3 months in good grade sICH and are predictive of impaired recovery after hospital discharge. Further research into the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying DWI lesions may lead to novel treatment options that may improve outcomes associated with this devastating disease.

Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering and DWI Lesions in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Exploratory Analysis of the ATACH-2 Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

With the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of acute intracerebral hemorrhage, diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintense lesions have been recognized to occur at sites remote to the hematoma in up to 40% of patients. We investigated whether blood pressure reduction was associated with diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintense lesions in acute intracerebral hemorrhage and whether such lesions are associated with worse clinical outcomes by analyzing imaging data from a randomized trial.

METHODS

We performed exploratory subgroup analyses in an open-label randomized trial that investigated acute blood pressure lowering in 1000 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage between May 2011 and September 2015. Eligible participants were assigned to an intensive systolic blood pressure target of 110-139 mm Hg versus 140-179 mm Hg with the use of intravenous nicardipine. Of these, 171 patients had requisite magnetic resonance imaging sequences for inclusion in these subgroup analyses. The primary outcome was the presence of diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintense lesions. Secondary outcomes included death or disability and serious adverse event at 90 days.

RESULTS

Diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintense lesions were present in 25% of patients (mean age 62 years). Hematoma volume > 30 cm³ was an adjusted predictor (adjusted relative risk 2.41, 95% confidence interval 1.00-5.80) of lesion presence. Lesions occurred in 25% of intensively treated patients and 24% of standard treatment patients (relative risk 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.71-1.43, p = 0.97). Patients with diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintense lesions had similar frequencies of death or disability at 90 days, compared with patients without lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Randomized assignment to intensive acute blood pressure lowering did not result in a greater frequency of diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintense lesion. Alternative mechanisms of diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintense lesion formation other than hemodynamic fluctuations need to be explored. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (Ref. NCT01176565; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01176565 ).

Hematoma Expansion Shift Analysis to Assess Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Treatments

OBJECTIVE

Hematoma expansion (HE) is commonly analyzed as a dichotomous outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) trials. In this proof-of-concept study, we propose an HE shift analysis model as a method to improve the evaluation of candidate ICH therapies.

METHODS

Using data from the Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage II (ATACH-2) trial, we performed HE shift analysis in response to intensive blood pressure lowering by generating polychotomous strata based on previously established HE definitions, percentile/absolute quartiles of hematoma volume change, and quartiles of 24-hour follow-up hematoma volumes. The relationship between blood pressure treatment and HE shift was explored with proportional odds models.

RESULTS

The primary analysis population included 863 patients. In both treatment groups, approximately one-third of patients exhibited no HE. With the use of a trichotomous HE stratification, the highest strata of ≥33% revealed a 5.8% reduction in hematoma growth for those randomized to intensive therapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-0.99). Using percentile quartiles of hematoma volume change, we observed a favorable shift to reduce growth in patients treated with intensive therapy (aOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.93). Similarly, in a tetrachotomous analysis of 24-hour follow-up hematoma volumes, shifts in the highest stratum (>21.9 mL) were most notable.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that intensive blood pressure reduction may preferentially mitigate growth in patients at risk of high volume HE. A shift analysis model of HE provides additional insights into the biological effects of a given therapy and may be an additional way to assess hemostatic agents in future studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01176565.

European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guidelines on blood pressure management in acute ischaemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage

The optimal blood pressure (BP) management in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and acute intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) remains controversial. These European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to assist physicians in their clinical decisions regarding BP management in acute stroke.The guidelines were developed according to the ESO standard operating procedure and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. The working group identified relevant clinical questions, performed systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the literature, assessed the quality of the available evidence, and made specific recommendations. Expert consensus statements were provided where insufficient evidence was available to provide recommendations based on the GRADE approach. Despite several large randomised-controlled clinical trials, quality of evidence is generally low due to inconsistent results of the effect of blood pressure lowering in AIS. We recommend early and modest blood pressure control (avoiding blood pressure levels >180/105 mm Hg) in AIS patients undergoing reperfusion therapies. There is more high-quality randomised evidence for BP lowering in acute ICH, where intensive blood pressure lowering is recommended rapidly after hospital presentation with the intent to improve recovery by reducing haematoma expansion. These guidelines provide further recommendations on blood pressure thresholds and for specific patient subgroups. There is ongoing uncertainty regarding the most appropriate blood pressure management in AIS and ICH. Future randomised-controlled clinical trials are needed to inform decision making on thresholds, timing and strategy of blood pressure lowering in different acute stroke patient subgroups.

Acute Hypertensive Response in Patients With Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Narrative Review

OBJECTIVE

To review the role of the acute hypertensive response in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, current treatment options, and areas for further research.

METHODS

Review of the literature to assess 1) frequency of acute hypertensive response in intracerebral hemorrhage; 2) consequences of acute hypertensive response in clinical outcomes; 3) acute hypertensive response and secondary brain injury: hematoma expansion and perihematomal edema; 4) vascular autoregulation, safety data side effects of acute antihypertensive treatment; and 5) randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses.

RESULTS

An acute hypertensive response is frequent in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, it is not clear whether high blood pressure is a cause of poor clinical outcome or solely represents a marker of severity. Although current guidelines recommend intensive blood pressure treatment (<140 mm Hg) in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, 2 randomized clinical trials have failed to demonstrate a consistent clinical benefit from this approach, and new data suggest that intensive blood pressure treatment could be beneficial for some patients but detrimental for others.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a heterogenous disease, thus, a one-fit-all approach for blood pressure treatment may be suboptimal. Further research should concentrate on finding subgroups of patients more likely to benefit from aggressive blood pressure lowering, considering intracerebral hemorrhage etiology, ultra-early randomization, and risk markers of hematoma expansion on brain imaging.

Blood pressure control measured as "time in range" during initial 24 h for inpatients with spontaneous nontraumatic intracerebral haemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Blood pressure (BP) control is an integral part in the management of spontaneous nontraumatic intracerebral haemorrhage. The aim of this study is to propose a novel concept of blood pressure control measured as 'Time in Range'(TiR) and assess its relationship to neurological deterioration.

METHOD

Retrospective study of 120 patients with Intracerebral haemorrhage who were admitted within 6 h of the symptom onset. The hourly BP readings for initial 24 h were studied in the form of time in range (TiR). TiR was defined as the percentage of readings with 'in range' systolic BP (SBP 110-140mmHG) during a unit time period. TiR was correlated with mean SBP at 6,12,18 and 24 h. It was categorized dichotomously as controlled (more than 50%) or not controlled (equal to or less than 50%) and analyzed with the change in Glasgow coma scale (drop of ≥2 units) at 24 h.

RESULTS

Correlation of TiR with mean SBP at 6 and 24 h showed significant negative correlation [r = -0.71 (at 6 h); r = -0.88 (at 24 h); p < 0.001]. The association of TiR with neurological deterioration(ND) was measured by change in GCS; with lower TiR associated with higher chances of neurological deterioration at 12 h interval [OR 4.5(1.2-16.8); p = 0.025], but not at 24 h interval [OR 1.4 (0.34-5.44); p = 0.670].

CONCLUSION

Our novel concept of 'Time in Range'(TiR) was found to be relevant in our study. Its association with mean SBP reflect its potential to be a modality of expressing control of SBP in Spontaneous Nontraumatic Intracerebral Haemorrhage.

Evidence-based appraisal of blood pressure reduction in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: A scoping review and overview

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There is a current debate on the best approach for blood pressure (BP) reduction in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Through this scoping review, we aimed to examine how research on reducing BP in ICH patients has been conducted and to clarify the evidence on which approach is the best (intensive vs. standard BP reductions).

METHODS

We performed a scoping review and overview of reviews of the literature. We systematically searched clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), systematic reviews (SRs), and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared intensive versus standard BP reduction. We searched in three databases from inception until March 2020. Two independent authors conducted the study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and overlapping analysis of SRs. We performed a description and critical appraisal of the current body of evidence.

RESULTS

We included three CPGs (with moderate to high quality); all of them recommended intensive reduction in specific clinical settings. We included eight SRs (with high overlap and critically low quality): two supported intensive reduction and four supported its safety, but not effectiveness. One SR reported that patients with intensive reduction had a significant risk of renal adverse events. We included seven RCTs (with limitations in randomization process); trials with large population did not found significant differences in mortality and disability. One RCT reported a significantly higher number of renal adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

CPGs support the use of intensive BP reduction; however, most recent SRs partially supported or did not support it due to the association with renal events. It seems the range goal between 140 and 180 mmHg could be safe and equally effective than intensive reduction. We recommend further research in serious and non-serious events promoted by intensive reduction and outcomes homogenization across studies to ensure correct comparison.

Neurovascular Units and Neural-Glia Networks in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: from Mechanisms to Translation

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the most lethal type of stroke, often leads to poor outcomes in the clinic. Due to the complex mechanisms and cell-cell crosstalk during ICH, the neurovascular unit (NVU) was proposed to serve as a promising therapeutic target for ICH research. This review aims to summarize the development of pathophysiological shifts in the NVU and neural-glia networks after ICH. In addition, potential targets for ICH therapy are discussed in this review. Beyond cerebral blood flow, the NVU also plays an important role in protecting neurons, maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis, coordinating neuronal activity among supporting cells, forming and maintaining the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and regulating neuroimmune responses. During ICH, NVU dysfunction is induced, along with neuronal cell death, microglia and astrocyte activation, endothelial cell (EC) and tight junction (TJ) protein damage, and BBB disruption. In addition, it has been shown that certain targets and candidates can improve ICH-induced secondary brain injury based on an NVU and neural-glia framework. Moreover, therapeutic approaches and strategies for ICH are discussed.

Impact of blood pressure on the outcomes of inpatients with Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A retrospective cross-sectional study

It is unclear whether antihypertensive treatment should be indicated after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Hence, we investigated the impact of blood pressure on inpatient outcomes after SAH rehabilitation.This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data of SAH inpatients, as obtained from the Japan Association of Rehabilitation Database for inpatients undergoing SAH rehabilitation. Inpatients admitted to a conventional ward with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease were voluntarily registered in this database between January 2006 and December 2013 from hospitals in Japan. Patients were categorized into hypertensive and non-hypertensive populations and assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) and the total BI score at hospital discharge. We compared the independent population (patients with the highest score for each activity) with its non-independent counterpart. Data on the patients' age, BI score on admission, total BI score, BI score increase, daily BI score increase, hospitalization duration, BI activities, patients' sex, and Brunnstrom recovery stage were compared.Eighty-eight patients with SAH were analyzed; 43 were hypertensive and 45 non-hypertensive. Hypertension was associated with increased non-independence levels (hypertensive versus non-hypertensive patients, transfers [bed to chair and back]: 15 versus 24, P = .03, odds ratio (OR) = 2.532 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.065-6.024); toilet use: 15 versus 24, P = .03, OR = 2.532 (95% CI, 1.065-6.024); bathing: 23 versus 34, P = .0061, OR = 3.623 (95% CI, 1.414-9.259); stair climbing: 22 versus 31, P = .03, OR = 2.703 (95% CI, 1.114-6.579); and bladder control: 14 versus 24, P = .02, OR = 2.801 (95% CI, 1.170-6.711)). The total BI score of the hypertensive inpatients at discharge was lower than that of their non-hypertensive counterparts (0-75 versus 80-100, 30 versus 19, P = .03). Moreover, the BI score increase per day was significantly lower in the hypertensive group than in the non-hypertensive group (.67 versus 1.8, P = .02). The hypertensive group also had a significantly longer duration of hospitalization than the hypertensive group (52 versus 30 days, P = .02).Hypertension was associated with longer hospitalization and poorer outcomes post-discharge, suggesting the importance of strict blood pressure control in patients who have experienced SAH.

Peri-hematoma corticospinal tract integrity in intracerebral hemorrhage patients: A diffusion-tensor imaging study

BACKGROUND

The impact of perihematoma edema in Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) on white matter integrity is uncertain. Fractional Anisotropy (FA), as measured with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), can be used to assess white matter microstructure. We tested the hypotheses that sections of the Corticospinal Tract (CST) passing through perihematoma edema would 1) have low FA relative to the contralateral CST and 2) would predict NIHSS motor score in ICH patients.

METHODS

Patients were prospectively imaged with DTI at 48 h and 7 days after onset. Edema volume/extent was measured on CT at baseline and 24 h. FA, mean, axial and radial diffusivity were measured in the perihematoma edema, contralateral CST and sections of CST passing through the edema ('edematous CST').

RESULTS

Patients (n = 27, mean age 67 ± 13) were scanned with DTI at a median (IQR) of 42.3 (24.5) hours and 7.7 (1.8) days from onset. Median acute ICH volume was 8.8 (22) ml. FA in edematous CST at 72 h was decreased (0.37 ± 0.03) relative to contralateral CST (0.52 ± 0.06; p < 0.0001). Day 7 FA in edematous CST (0.35 ± 0.08) was also decreased compared to contralateral CST (0.54 ± 0.06; p < 0.0001). FA remained stable between 72 h (0.37 ± 0.03) and day 7 (0.35 ± 0.07; p = 0.350). FA at 72 h (ρ = -0.22, p = 0.420) and day 7 (ρ = -0.14, p = 0.624) was unrelated to 90-day motor score.

CONCLUSIONS

FA is decreased in the CST where it passes through the edema. Decreased FA in the edematous CST remained stable over time, was unrelated to motor score, and may represent water infiltration into the tracts rather than axonal injury.

Hypertensive Crisis in Acute Cerebrovascular Diseases Presenting at the Emergency Department: A Narrative Review

Hypertensive crisis, defined as an increase in systolic blood pressure >179 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >109 mmHg, typically causes end-organ damage; the brain is an elective and early target, among others. The strong relationship between arterial hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases is supported by extensive evidence, with hypertension being the main modifiable risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, especially when it is uncontrolled or rapidly increasing. However, despite the large amount of data on the preventive strategies and therapeutic measures that can be adopted, the management of high BP in patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases presenting at the emergency department is still an area of debate. Overall, the outcome of stroke patients with high blood pressure values basically depends on the occurrence of hypertensive emergency or hypertensive urgency, the treatment regimen adopted, the drug dosages and their timing, and certain stroke features. In this narrative review, we provide a timely update on the current treatment, debated issues, and future directions related to hypertensive crisis in patients referred to the emergency department because of an acute cerebrovascular event. This will also focus greater attention on the management of certain stroke-related, time-dependent interventions, such as intravenous thrombolysis and mechanic thrombectomy.

Hypertensive Crisis in Acute Cerebrovascular Diseases Presenting at the Emergency Department: A Narrative Review

Hypertensive crisis, defined as an increase in systolic blood pressure >179 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >109 mmHg, typically causes end-organ damage; the brain is an elective and early target, among others. The strong relationship between arterial hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases is supported by extensive evidence, with hypertension being the main modifiable risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, especially when it is uncontrolled or rapidly increasing. However, despite the large amount of data on the preventive strategies and therapeutic measures that can be adopted, the management of high BP in patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases presenting at the emergency department is still an area of debate. Overall, the outcome of stroke patients with high blood pressure values basically depends on the occurrence of hypertensive emergency or hypertensive urgency, the treatment regimen adopted, the drug dosages and their timing, and certain stroke features. In this narrative review, we provide a timely update on the current treatment, debated issues, and future directions related to hypertensive crisis in patients referred to the emergency department because of an acute cerebrovascular event. This will also focus greater attention on the management of certain stroke-related, time-dependent interventions, such as intravenous thrombolysis and mechanic thrombectomy.

Acute intracerebral haemorrhage: diagnosis and management

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) accounts for half of the disability-adjusted life years lost due to stroke worldwide. Care pathways for acute stroke result in the rapid identification of ICH, but its acute management can prove challenging because no individual treatment has been shown definitively to improve its outcome. Nonetheless, acute stroke unit care improves outcome after ICH, patients benefit from interventions to prevent complications, acute blood pressure lowering appears safe and might have a modest benefit, and implementing a bundle of high-quality acute care is associated with a greater chance of survival. In this article, we address the important questions that neurologists face in the diagnosis and acute management of ICH, and focus on the supporting evidence and practical delivery for the main acute interventions.

Treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage: From specific interventions to bundles of care

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) represents a major, global, unmet health need with few treatments. A significant minority of ICH patients present taking an anticoagulant; both vitamin-K antagonists and increasingly direct oral anticoagulants. Anticoagulants are associated with an increased risk of hematoma expansion, and rapid reversal reduces this risk and may improve outcome. Vitamin-K antagonists are reversed with prothrombin complex concentrate, dabigatran with idarucizumab, and anti-Xa agents with PCC or andexanet alfa, where available. Blood pressure lowering may reduce hematoma growth and improve clinical outcomes and careful (avoiding reductions ≥60 mm Hg within 1 h), targeted (as low as 120-130 mm Hg), and sustained (minimizing variability) treatment during the first 24 h may be optimal for achieving better functional outcomes in mild-to-moderate severity acute ICH. Surgery for ICH may include hematoma evacuation and external ventricular drainage to treat hydrocephalus. No large, well-conducted phase III trial of surgery in ICH has so far shown overall benefit, but meta-analyses report an increased likelihood of good functional outcome and lower risk of death with surgery, compared to medical treatment only. Expert supportive care on a stroke unit or critical care unit improves outcomes. Early prognostication is difficult, and early do-not-resuscitate orders or withdrawal of active care should be used judiciously in the first 24-48 h of care. Implementation of acute ICH care can be challenging, and using a care bundle approach, with regular monitoring of data and improvement of care processes can ensure consistent and optimal care for all patients.

Outcomes of Intensive Systolic Blood Pressure Reduction in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Excessively High Initial Systolic Blood Pressure: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The safety and efficacy of intensive systolic blood pressure reduction in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who present with systolic blood pressure greater than 220 mm Hg appears to be unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the differential outcomes of intensive (goal, 110-139 mm Hg) vs standard (goal, 140-179 mm Hg) systolic blood pressure reduction in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and initial systolic blood pressure of 220 mm Hg or more vs less than 220 mm Hg.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This post hoc analysis of the Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage-II trial was performed in November 2019 on data from the multicenter randomized clinical trial, which was conducted between May 2011 to September 2015. Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and initial systolic blood pressure of 180 mm Hg or more, randomized within 4.5 hours after symptom onset, were included.

Interventions

Intravenous nicardipine infusion titrated to goals.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Neurological deterioration and hematoma expansion within 24 hours and death or severe disability at 90 days, plus kidney adverse events and serious adverse events until day 7 or hospital discharge.

Results

A total of 8532 patients were screened, and 999 individuals (mean [SD] age, 62.0 [13.1] years; 620 men [62.0%]) underwent randomization and had an initial SBP value. Among 228 participants with initial systolic blood pressures of 220 mm Hg or more, the rate of neurological deterioration within 24 hours was higher in those who underwent intensive (vs standard) systolic blood pressure reduction (15.5% vs 6.8%; relative risk, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.03-5.07]; P = .04). The rate of death and severe disability (39.0% vs 38.4%; relative risk, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.73-1.78]; P = .92) was not significantly different between the 2 groups. There was a significantly higher rate of kidney adverse events in participants randomized to intensive systolic blood pressure reduction (13.6% vs 4.2%; relative risk, 3.22 [95% CI, 1.21-8.56]; P = .01), but no difference was observed in the rate of kidney serious adverse events.

Conclusions and Relevance

The higher rate of neurological deterioration within 24 hours associated with intensive treatment in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and initial systolic blood pressure of 220 mm Hg or more, without any benefit in reducing hematoma expansion at 24 hours or death or severe disability at 90 days, warrants caution against generalization of recommendations for intensive systolic blood pressure reduction.

Lower Blood Pressure Is Not Associated With Decreased Arterial Spin Labeling Estimates of Perfusion in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background

Subacute ischemic lesions in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have been hypothesized to result from hypoperfusion. Although studies of cerebral blood flow (CBF) indicate modest hypoperfusion in ICH, these investigations have been limited to early time points. Arterial spin labeling (ASL), a magnetic resonance imaging technique, can be used to measure CBF without a contrast agent. We assessed CBF in patients with ICH using ASL and tested the hypothesis that CBF is related to systolic blood pressure (SBP).

Methods and Results

In this cross‐sectional study, patients with ICH were assessed with ASL at 48 hours, 7 days, and/or 30 days after onset. Relative CBF (rCBF; ratio of ipsilateral/contralateral perfusion) was measured in the perihematomal regions, hemispheres, border zones, and the perilesional area in patients with diffusion‐weighted imaging hyperintensities. Twenty‐patients (65% men; mean±SD age, 68.5±12.7 years) underwent imaging with ASL at 48 hours (N=12), day 7 (N=6), and day 30 (N=11). Median (interquartile range) hematoma volume was 13.1 (6.3–19.3) mL. Mean±SD baseline SBP was 185.4±25.5 mm Hg. Mean perihematomal rCBF was 0.9±0.2 at 48 hours at all time points. Baseline SBP and other SBP measurements were not associated with a decrease in rCBF in any of the regions of interest (P≥0.111). rCBF did not differ among time points in any of the regions of interest (P≥0.097). Mean perilesional rCBF was 1.04±0.65 and was unrelated to baseline SBP (P=0.105).

Conclusions

ASL can be used to measure rCBF in patients with acute and subacute ICH. Perihematomal CBF was not associated with SBP changes at any time point.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00963976.

Blood pressure variability and outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is life threatening neurologic event that results in significant rate of morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, several randomized clinical trials aiming at limiting the hematoma expansion (HE) in the acute phase of ICH have not shown significant effects in improving the functional outcomes. Blood pressure variability (BPV) is common following ICH. High BPs have been associated with increased risk of bleeding and HE. Conversely, recurrent sudden decrease in BP promote perihematomal ischemia. However, it is still not clear weather BPV causes adverse prognosis following ICH or large ICHs cause fluctuations in BP. In the current review, we will discuss the mechanistic pathophysiology of BPV and the evidence regarding the role of BPV on the ICH outcomes.

[Hypertensive Crisis in the Elderly Patients]

A hypertensive crisis is a sudden increase in blood pressure (BP) to an individually high level associated with clinical symptoms and target organ damage, in which BP must be reduced immediately. Since 2018 in Europe and since 2020 in Russia, an uncomplicated hypertensive crisis is recommended to be considered as a part of malignant (uncontrolled) arterial hypertension. The clinical picture of increased BP in elderly patients is characterized by nonspecific symptoms even in target organ damage. Management of this group of patients requires a physician to know the patient's comorbidities and the drugs taken on a regular basis to minimize development of side effects of the administered drugs and their undesirable interaction with the chronic therapy.

Optimal Initial Blood Pressure in Intensive Care Unit Patients with Non-Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Blood pressure (BP) control is crucial for minimizing the risk of mortality and hematoma growth in patients with acute intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to determine the optimal BP range associated with improved patient outcomes. From the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III database, we identified 1493 patients (age, 18–99 years) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with non-traumatic ICH. The 3-day and 14-day mortality of ICU admissions were compared at different BP ranges. Generalized additive models were used to assess the optimal range of initial mean arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure, and these were identified to be 70–100, 120–150, and 60–100 mmHg, respectively. The 3-day or 14-day mortality showed U-shaped correlations with BP ranges. Our results show that an initial SBP between 120 and 150 mmHg is associated with minimal risk of mortality risk. This recommendation can assist physicians to achieve better outcomes for patients with ICH.

Coagulopathy reversal in intracerebral haemorrhage

As intracerebral hemorrahge becomes more frequent as a result of an aging population with greater comorbidities, rapid identification and reversal of precipitators becomes increasingly paramount. The aformentioned population will ever more likely be on some form of anticoagulant therapy. Understanding the mechanisms of these agents and means by which to reverse them early on is critical in managing the acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

The Role of Urocortins in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes an accumulation of blood in the brain parenchyma that disrupts the normal neurological function of the brain. Despite extensive clinical trials, no medical or surgical therapy has shown to be effective in managing ICH, resulting in a poor prognosis for the patients. Urocortin (UCN) is a 40-amino-acid endogenous neuropeptide that belongs to the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) family. The effect of UCN is activated by binding to two G-protein coupled receptors, CRH-R1 and CRH-R2, which are expressed in brain neurons and glial cells in various brain regions. Current research has shown that UCN exerts neuroprotective effects in ICH models via anti-inflammatory effects, which generally reduced brain edema and reduced blood-brain barrier disruption. These effects gradually help in the improvement of the neurological outcome, and thus, UCN may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of ICH. This review summarizes the data published to date on the role of UCN in ICH and the possible protective mechanisms underlined.