Prognostic Value of Various Hemostasis Parameters and Neurophysiological Examinations in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: The IRONHEART Study Protocol

Thrombin generation as a predictor of outcomes in patients with non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage

Background

Non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10–15% of all strokes and leads to a higher rate of mortality as compared to ischemic strokes. We aimed to find out whether the thrombin generation assay (TGA) could predict outcomes in patients with ICH.

Patients and methods

In this prospective, observational study, 87 consecutive patients with ICH and 164 healthy controls were included. Computed tomography (CT), detailed clinical investigation, and laboratory investigations were performed from patients on admission. TGA was performed using stored platelet poor plasma obtained on admission. Lag time, endogen thrombin potential (ETP), peak thrombin, and time to peak parameters were calculated. Short- and long-term outcomes of ICH were defined at 14 days and 3 months post-event according to the NIHSS and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), respectively.

Results

Peak thrombin was significantly higher in patients as compared to controls (397.2 ± 93.9 vs. 306 ± 85.3 nM, p < 0.0001). Lag time, ETP, and time to peak parameters showed a significant positive correlation with CRP in both groups. In patients with worse long-term functional outcomes, peak thrombin was significantly higher as compared to those with favorable outcomes [mRS 2–6 median: 402.5 (IQR:344.8–473.8) vs. mRS 0–1: 326.4 (294.2–416.1) nM, p = 0.0096]. Based on the statistically optimal threshold of 339.1 nM peak thrombin, the sensitivity and specificity of this parameter to determine mRS 2–6 as an outcome were 80.8 and 64.7%, respectively. In a binary logistic regression model including age, sex, BMI, smoking status, NIHSS on admission, D-dimer, and peak thrombin (>339.1 nM), only NIHSS and the peak thrombin parameters remained in the model as significant, independent predictors of poor outcome. Lag time and time to peak showed a modest, significant negative correlation with intracerebral bleeding volume on admission (r = −0.2603, p = 0.0231 and r = −0.3698, p = 0.0010, respectively). During the follow-up of patients, estimated hemorrhage volumes on day 90 showed significant positive association with the ETP and peak thrombin parameters (r = 0.3838, p = 0.0363 and r = 0.5383, p = 0.0021, respectively).

Conclusion

In patients with ICH, TG was increased as compared to healthy controls, which might be explained by the presence of higher inflammatory parameters in patients. Peak thrombin measured on admission might be a useful tool to predict outcomes in patients with ICH.

Neurophysiological Examinations as Adjunctive Tool to Imaging Techniques in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: IRONHEART Study

Introduction: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating disease, which may lead to severe disability or even death. Although many factors may influence the outcome, neurophysiological examinations might also play a role in its course. Our aim was to examine whether the findings of electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can predict the prognosis of these patients.

Methods: Between June 1 2017 and June 15 2021, 116 consecutive patients with ICH were enrolled prospectively in our observational study. Clinical examinations and non-Contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scan were done on admission for ICH; follow-up NCCT scans were taken at 14 ± 2 days and at 3 months ± 7 days after stroke onset. EEG and TMS examinations were also carried out.

Results: Of the patients in the study, 65.5% were male, and the mean age of the study population was 70 years. Most patients had a history of hypertension, 50.8% of whom had been untreated. In almost 20% of the cases, excessive hypertension was measured on admission, accompanied with >10 mmol/L blood glucose level, whereas their Glasgow Coma Scale was 12 on average. Presence of blood in the ventricles or subarachnoid space and high blood and perihematomal volumes meant poor prognosis. Pathological EEG was prognostic of a worse outcome. With TMS examination at 14 days, it might be possible to estimate outcome in a univariate model and the absence, or reduction of the amplitude of the motor evoked potentials was associated with poor prognosis.

Conclusion: Together with the clinical symptoms, the volume of bleeding, perihematomal edema (or their combined volume), and neurophysiological examinations like EEG and TMS play an important role in the neurological outcome of patients with ICH. This might affect the patients' rehabilitation plans in the future, since with the help of the examinations the subset of patients with potential for recovery could be identified.