Antiplatelet therapies are associated with hematoma enlargement and increased mortality in intracranial hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

Objective: Antiplatelet therapy (AT) is increasingly used for treating or preventing vascular diseases, especially as a consequence of population aging. However, the risks may sometimes outweigh the benefits, mostly in relation to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Our aim was to determine whether AT is associated with hematoma enlargement and increased mortality in ICH. Design: A prospective, observational cohort study. Setting: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Arrixaca University Hospital (Murcia, Spain). Patients We studied 156 patients admitted with non-traumatic ICH between January 2006 and August 2008. Interventions: None. Main variables Demographic data, medical history and clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded, along with hematoma volume upon admission and after 24h, and mortality. Results: A total of 37 patients (24%) received AT. These subjects were older (69±11 vs. 60±15 years, p=0.001) and more frequently diabetic (38% vs. 15%, p=0.003) than those without AT. We detected no difference in hematoma volume upon admission between the two groups, though the volume was significantly greater after 24h in the AT group (66.7 [IQR 42-110] vs. 27 [4.4-64.6]cm3, p=0.03), irrespective of surgical intervention. Moreover, hematoma volume increased by more than a third in AT-users (69% vs. 33%, p=0.002), and AT was the only significant predictor of hematoma enlargement. Patients on AT also had higher mortality during their ICU stay (78% vs. 45%, p<0.001). In addition, of the patients with hematoma enlargement, over one-third had higher overall mortality (62.5 vs. 28.8%, p=0.001). Independent risk factors for death were the Glasgow Coma Scale score, blood glucose upon admission, and AT. Conclusions: Our results show an association between AT and subsequent hematoma enlargement, as well as increased mortality in patients presenting with ICH who were receiving AT (AU)

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Con el envejecimiento progresivo de la población cada es más frecuente la toma de fármacos antiagregantes para el tratamiento o la prevención de las enfermedades vasculares. El beneficio, en ocasiones, está contrarrestado por el riesgo de hemorragias, especialmente la hemorragia intracraneal (HIC). Nuestro objetivo fue determinar si el tratamiento antiagregante (TAG) provoca un aumento del tamaño del hematoma y de mortalidad en la HIC. Diseño: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo y observacional. Ámbito Unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) del Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia). Pacientes Estudiamos a 156 pacientes que ingresaron por HIC no traumática entre Enero de 2006 y Agosto de 2008. Intervenciones Ninguna. Principales variables Se recogieron datos demográficos, antecedentes personales, parámetros clínicos y analíticos, así como, el volumen del hematoma al ingreso y a las 24 horas, además de la mortalidad. Resultados: Entre los pacientes estudiados, 37 (24%) tomaban TAG. Los antiagregados eran de mayor edad (69±11 vs 60±15 años, p=0,001) y con mayor frecuencia diabéticos (38 vs 15%, p=0,003). No hubo diferencias en el volumen del hematoma al ingreso entre los dos grupos pero este fue significativamente mayor a las 24 horas en los antiagregados (66.7 [IQR 42-110] vs 27 [4.4-64.6] cm3, p=0.03), independientemente de si fueron intervenidos o no. Además, el volumen del hematoma creció en más de un 33% en los antiagregados (69 vs 33%, p=0,002) y el TAG fue el único predictor significativo del crecimiento (..) (AU)