Analysis of the Risk Factors of Hematoma Enlargement in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of hematoma enlargement in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH). METHODS: A series of 214 ICH patients diagnosed by brain CT scan in our neurosurgery department from June 1995 to July 1998 were reviewed with clinical status, past medical histories, laboratory findings, CT findings and prognosis. RESULTS: In 27 patients(12.6%), the second CT scan showed an enlarged hematoma. Age, sex, and site of hematoma were not related to hematoma enlargement. A long interval(>6 hours) between the onset and the 1st CT scan strongly reduced the incidence of hematoma enlargement. The incidence of hematoma enlargement significantly increased in patients with previous history of hypertension, cerebral infarction and ICH. This analysis also demonstrated the following independent factors predisposed to hematoma enlargement initial high systolic blood pressure, high serum total protein, low serum albumin, low serum sodium, prolonged prothrombin time(>14 sec) and activated partial thromboplastin time(>29.5 sec), irregular hematoma shape, and combined intraventricular hemorrhage. Prognosis in the group of hematoma enlargement showed high mortality(48.1%) and poor outcome. CONCLUSION: Patients with previous history of hypertension, cerebral infarction and ICH, and with high systolic blood pressure, prolonged coagulation time, irregular hematoma shape and intraventricular hemorrhage in CT scan should be observed carefully. And, early surgical therapy of large hematoma and meticulous control of blood pressure may decrease the mortality and morbidity in patients with spontaneous ICH.