Treatment of intracerebral haemorrhage

Neurologic complications in children under five years with sickle cell disease

INTRODUCTION

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic diseases in the world affecting every organ. The major challenge in the medical care of children with SCD is preventing end-organ dysfunction, particularly the brain. Major neurologic complications in children less than five years with SCD include, but are not limited to, Silent cerebral infarct, cerebral sinus thrombosis, epilepsy, reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Recurrent headaches and migraine are not rare in children under five years with SCD. This review will focus on the neurologic complications and the description of the modifiable risk factors in children less than 5 years of age with emphasis on differences between high and low resource settings.

AREAS COVERED

Neurologic complications of children under 5 years of age and the modifiable risk factors. The PUBMED database was searched using medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords for articles regarding neurologic complications in children under 5 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Neurologic complications in children under five years of age with SCD may be more frequent than currently reported, among which Silent cerebral infarct and cognitive impairment are the most common.

A Meta-analysis for Evaluating Efficacy of Neuroendoscopic Surgery versus Craniotomy for Supratentorial Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Objective

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is a potentially life-threatening neurological deficit with the highest morbidity and mortality. In recent years, neuroendoscopy has been used to treat intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs). However, the choice of neuroendoscopic surgery or craniotomy for patients with ICHs is controversial. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of neuroendoscopic surgery compared to craniotomy in patients with supratentorial hypertensive ICH.

Materials and Methods

A systematic electronic search was performed using online electronic databases such as Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane library updated on December 2017. The meta-analysis was performed by only including studies designed as randomized controlled trials.

Results

Three randomized controlled trials met our inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis of death showed that neuroendoscopic surgery decreased the rate of death compared to craniotomy (RR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.26-1.29; P=0.18). Pooled results of complications showed that neuroendoscopic surgery tended to have fewer complications than craniotomy had (RR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.28-0.49; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Although the presenting analyses suggest that neuroendoscopic surgery should have fewer complications than craniotomy dose, it had no superior advantage in morbidity rate definitely. Therefore, it may be necessary for the neurosurgeons to select best optimal patients for individual treatment.

The Effect of Cerebrovascular Stenosis on -Peri-Hematoma Cerebral Perfusion and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Supratentorial Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background

Many factors are associated with the cerebral hypoperfusion after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), however, the effect of cerebrovascular stenosis on peri-hematoma cerebral blood flow (CBF) and 90-day poor outcomes in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is still unclear.

Material/Methods

From September 2016 to March 2017, we prospectively collected data on adults with supratentorial spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages. Using the Propensity Score model, we compared the peri-hematoma CBF and 90-day poor outcomes (mRS ≥3) in the stenosis group and the control group.

Results

Before matching, a total of 116 patients were included in this study, 25 patients in the stenosis group and 91 patients in the control group. After matching, the patients in the stenosis group had a higher absolute decrease of CBF (p=0.003), higher relative decrease of CBF (p=0.016), and higher incidence of 90-day poor outcomes (p=0.041) than the control group. With subgroup analysis, the patients with Glasgow Coma Scale from 13 to 15 (p=0.035), hematoma in the cerebral lobe (p=0.003), mean arterial pressure lower than 120 mm Hg (p=0.003), absolute decrease of CBF higher than 15 mL/100 g per minute (p=0.007), and relative decrease of CBF higher than 30% (p=0.020) had poorer outcomes.

Conclusions

In our series, the stenosis of main cerebral vessels decreased the peri-hematoma CBF and increased the rate of 90-day poor outcomes. Despite higher Glasgow Coma Scale, the evaluation of cerebral perfusion in patients with sICH is needed, especially for the patients with hematoma in the cerebral lobe and lower mean arterial pressure; and treatments to keep adequate cerebral perfusion are needed.

Age as a prognostic factor in relation to surgical evacuation of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage

AIM AND CLINICAL RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY

Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) is an acute life-threatening injury and constitutes 10-15% of first-ever stroke cases. The Surgical Trials in Intracerebral Haematoma studies (STICH and STICH II) represent the two foremost studies in the field, however, with arguable shortcomings. To find more accurate criteria, we aimed to correlate the preoperative neurological and neuroimaging findings with the clinical outcome of operated patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, sICH patients were recruited from the Central Denmark Region from 2010 to 2016. We evaluated the patients' medical records regarding preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 6 months and one year after surgery, focal neurological defects, thrombolytic treatment, pupil status, and haemorrhage localization visualized by neuroimaging. The patients' clinical outcome was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS).

RESULTS

Based on logistic multiple linear analysis, age, basal ganglia haemorrhage and mass effect had significant effect on the mortality rate. Besides, age, basal ganglia haemorrhage, intra ventricular haemorrhage and pupil difference had significant correlation with good outcome (GOS>3).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Neurosurgical treatment of the sICH patients is indicated only if age and potentially improved morbidity is carefully evaluated considering the STICH and this study; otherwise, we will just increase the health care burden with a number of extremely care-dependent patients.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) as a means to monitor cerebral hematoma treatment

BACKGROUND

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) offers a consistent hemorrhage volume measurement independent of imaging parameters.

PURPOSE

To investigate the magnetic susceptibility of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as a quantitative measurement for monitoring treatment in hematoma patients.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective.

POPULATION

Twenty-six patients with acute ICH were recruited and enrolled in treatment including surgery or medication (mannitol) for 1 week.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

A 3D gradient echo sequence at 3.0T.

ASSESSMENT

The hematoma volumes on computed tomography (CT) and QSM were calculated and used for correlation analysis. Magnetic susceptibility changes from pre- to posttreatment were calculated and compared to the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) measure of neurological deficit for each patient.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Mean susceptibility values were calculated over each region of interest (ROI). A one-sample t-test was used to assess the changes of total volumes and mean magnetic susceptibility of ICH identified between pre- and posttreatment images (P < 0.05 was considered significant) and the Bland-Altman analysis with 95% limits of agreement (average difference, ±1.96 SD of the difference). Regression of volume measurements on QSM vs. CT and fitted linear regression of mean susceptibility vs. CT signal intensity for hematoma regions were conducted in all patients.

RESULTS

Good correlation was found between hemorrhage volumes calculated from CT and QSM (CT volume = 0.94*QSM volume, r = 0.98). Comparison of QSM pre- and posttreatment showed that the mean ICH volume was reduced by a statistically insignificant amount from 5.74 cm3 to 5.45 cm3 (P = 0.21), while mean magnetic susceptibility was reduced significantly from 0.48 ppm to 0.38 ppm (P = 0.004). A significant positive association was found between changes in magnetic susceptibility values and NIHSS following hematoma treatment (P < 0.01).

DATA CONCLUSIONS

QSM in hematoma assessment, as compared with CT, offers a comparably accurate volume measurement; however, susceptibility measurements may enable improved monitoring of ICH treatment compared to volume measurements alone.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:907-915.

Favorable clinical outcome following surgical evacuation of deep-seated and lobar supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: a retrospective single-center analysis of 123 cases

Background

In spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the role of surgical treatment remains controversial, particularly in deep-seated ICHs. We hypothesized that early mortality and long-term functional outcome differ between patients with surgically treated lobar and deep-seated ICH.

Method

Patients who underwent craniotomy for ICH evacuation from 2009 to 2015 were retrospectively evaluated and categorized into two subgroups: lobar and deep-seated ICH. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to evaluate long-term functional outcome.

Result

Of the 123 patients operated for ICH, 49.6% (n = 61) had lobar and 50.4% (n = 62) deep-seated ICH. At long-term follow-up (mean 4.2 years), 25 patients (20.3%) were dead, while 51.0% of survivors had a favorable outcome (mRS score ≤ 3). Overall mortality was 13.0% at 30 days and 17.9% at 6 months post-ictus, not influenced by ICH location. Mortality was higher in patients ≥ 65 years old (p = 0.020). The deep-seated group had higher incidence and extent of intraventricular extension, younger age (52.6 ± 9.0 years vs. 58.5 ± 9.8 years; p < 0.05), more frequently pupillary abnormalities, and longer neurocritical care stay (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with good outcome was 48.0% in deep-seated vs. 54.1% in lobar ICH (p = 0.552). In lobar ICH, independent predictors of long-term outcome were age, hemorrhage volume, preoperative level of consciousness, and pupillary reaction. In deep-seated ICHs, only high age correlated significantly with poor outcome.

Conclusions

At long-term follow-up, most ICH survivors had a favorable clinical outcome. Neither mortality nor long-term functional outcome differed between patients operated for lobar or deep-seated ICH. A combination of surgery and neurocritical care can result in favorable clinical outcome, regardless of ICH location.

Recent Advances in the Therapeutic and Diagnostic Use of Liposomes and Carbon Nanomaterials in Ischemic Stroke

The complexity of the central nervous system (CNS), its limited self-repairing capacity and the ineffective delivery of most CNS drugs to the brain contribute to the irreversible and progressive nature of many neurological diseases and also the severity of the outcome. Therefore, neurological disorders belong to the group of pathologies with the greatest need of new technologies for diagnostics and therapeutics. In this scenario, nanotechnology has emerged with innovative and promising biomaterials and tools. This review focuses on ischemic stroke, being one of the major causes of death and serious long-term disabilities worldwide, and the recent advances in the study of liposomes and carbon nanomaterials for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is insufficient to meet metabolic demand, leading to a cascade of physiopathological events in the CNS including local blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption. However, to date, the only treatment approved by the FDA for this pathology is based on the potentially toxic tissue plasminogen activator. The techniques currently available for diagnosis of stroke also lack sensitivity. Liposomes and carbon nanomaterials were selected for comparison in this review, because of their very distinct characteristics and ranges of applications. Liposomes represent a biomimetic system, with composition, structural organization and properties very similar to biological membranes. On the other hand, carbon nanomaterials, which are not naturally encountered in the human body, exhibit new modes of interaction with biological molecules and systems, resulting in unique pharmacological properties. In the last years, several neuroprotective agents have been evaluated under the encapsulated form in liposomes, in experimental models of stroke. Effective drug delivery to the brain and neuroprotection were achieved using stealth liposomes bearing targeting ligands onto their surface for brain endothelial cells and ischemic tissues receptors. Carbon nanomaterials including nanotubes, fullerenes and graphene, started to be investigated and potential applications for therapy, biosensing and imaging have been identified based on their antioxidant action, their intrinsic photoluminescence, their ability to cross the BBB, transitorily decrease the BBB paracellular tightness, carry oligonucleotides and cells and induce cell differentiation. The potential future developments in the field are finally discussed.

Surgical Evacuation of Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage: Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of Suboccipital Craniotomy, Stereotactic Aspiration, and Thrombolysis and Endoscopic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Current surgical therapies for spontaneous intracerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) include suboccipital craniotomy (SC), stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis (SAT), and endoscopic surgery (ES). Evidence comparing the therapeutic effects of these 3 methods is scarce. The safety and efficacy of SC, SAT, and ES for SCH are still uncertain.

METHODS

75 patients with SCH who received SC, SAT, or ES were reviewed retrospectively. Baseline parameters before the operation, evacuation rate, perihematoma edema, postoperative complications, and cumulative case fatalities were collected. Also, 12 months after ictus, the long-term functional outcomes in patients with regard to fourth ventricle compression and age were judged, respectively, by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

RESULTS

The SAT was less effective in evacuating hematoma than were SC and ES. The perihematoma edema on postoperative day 7 and surgical complications were highest in the SC group. The functional outcome represented by mRS was better in the SAT group than in the SC and ES groups for patients with fourth ventricle compression grade 1. For patients with fourth ventricle compression grades 2 and 3, the ES group achieved the best functional outcome. Patients older than 60 years benefited less from SC than from ES and SAT.

CONCLUSIONS

SAT may be suitable for SCH patients with fourth ventricle compression grade 1, and ES may be suitable for SCH patients with fourth ventricle compression grades 2 and 3. Aged patients benefit less from SC than from SAT and ES.

Beneficial Role of Neutrophils Through Function of Lactoferrin After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating disease with a 30-day mortality of ~50%. There are no effective therapies for ICH. ICH results in brain damage in 2 major ways: through the mechanical forces of extravasated blood and then through toxicity of the intraparenchymal blood components including hemoglobin/iron. LTF (lactoferrin) is an iron-binding protein, uniquely abundant in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). After ICH, circulating blood PMNs enter the ICH-afflicted brain where they release LTF. By virtue of sequestrating iron, LTF may contribute to hematoma detoxification.

METHODS

ICH in mice was produced using intrastriatal autologous blood injection. PMNs were depleted with intraperitoneal administration of anti-Ly-6G antibody. Treatment of mouse brain cell cultures with lysed RBC or iron was used as in vitro model of ICH.

RESULTS

LTF mRNA was undetectable in the mouse brain, even after ICH. Unlike mRNA, LTF protein increased in ICH-affected hemispheres by 6 hours, peaked at 24 to 72 hours, and remained elevated for at least a week after ICH. At the single cell level, LTF was detected in PMNs in the hematoma-affected brain at all time points after ICH. We also found elevated LTF in the plasma after ICH, with a temporal profile similar to LTF changes in the brain. Importantly, mrLTF (recombinant mouse LTF) reduced the cytotoxicity of lysed RBC and FeCl₃ to brain cells in culture. Ultimately, in an ICH model, systemic administration of mrLTF (at 3, 24, and 48 hours after ICH) reduced brain edema and ameliorated neurological deficits caused by ICH. mrLTF retained the benefit in reducing behavioral deficit even with 24-hour treatment delay. Interestingly, systemic depletion of PMNs at 24 hours after ICH worsened neurological deficits, suggesting that PMN infiltration into the brain at later stages after ICH could be a beneficial response.

CONCLUSIONS

LTF delivered to the ICH-affected brain by infiltrating PMNs may assist in hematoma detoxification and represent a powerful potential target for the treatment of ICH.

Geranylgeranylacetone exerts neuroprotective roles through medicating the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway in an intracerebral hemorrhage rat model

AIM

Previous studies have demonstrated that geranylgeranylacetone exerts neuroprotective effects in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage. This study is designed to explore the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to intracerebral hemorrhage by stereotactic injection of collagenase and were pretreated without or with different doses of geranylgeranylacetone. At 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days after the operation, the neurological deficits were examined with the scoring scale method. To explore the underlying mechanism, wortmannin (Wort), a specific phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, was used. The protein expression of Akt was determined by Western blotting. The brain water content and the hematoma volume assessment were measured and compared among the different groups.

RESULTS

We first found that geranylgeranylacetone pretreatment significantly reduced neurological deficit in intracerebral hemorrhage rats, indicating its neuroprotective role. Then, we found wort treatment significantly decreased the geranylgeranylacetone-induced Akt expression level in intracerebral hemorrhage rats. Besides, wort not only reversed the effects of geranylgeranylacetone on neurological function, but also reversed the effects of geranylgeranylacetone on reducing brain edema and decreasing hematoma volume in intracerebral hemorrhage rats.

CONCLUSION

Geranylgeranylacetone exerts neuroprotective roles, at least partially, through medicating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in an experimental intracerebral hemorrhage rat model.

Genetic Variations of COL4A1 Gene and Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcome: A Cohort Study in a Chinese Han Population

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms or haplotypes of COL4A1 gene and the outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

METHODS

In our study, 181 patients with hypertensive ICH were enrolled and followed up at 3 and 6 months. Outcome data included any cause of death and disability. Genomic DNA was extracted by DNA extraction kit, and the 6 single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping of the COL4A1 gene was detected through MassARRAY Analyzer. Unphased 3.1.4 and SPSS 19.0 were used to analyze the association between alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes of the COL4A1 gene and the outcomes of ICH.

RESULTS

Of the 181 patients with hypertensive ICH, 12 were lost in follow-up, which accounted for 6.6%. Our association analysis showed that the rs532625 AA genotype of the COL4A1 gene may increase risk of disability at 3 months; the rs532625 A allele and AA genotype were association factors of the risk of disability at 6 months; the rs532625 AA genotype was an association factor of the risk of death/disability at 6 months. After adjusting for gender, age, coma, and severe neurologic deficits, only the rs532625 AA genotype was independently associated with the risk of disability at 3 and 6 months and the risk of death/disability at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that the rs532625 AA genotype in the COL4A1 gene was independently associated with the risk of disability at 3 and 6 months and death/disability at 6 months in a Chinese Han population. These conclusions need to be verified in future studies with larger samples.

Genetic Variations of the COL4A1 Gene and Intracerebral Hemorrhage Risk: A Case-Control Study in a Chinese Han Population

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms or haplotypes of the COL4A1 gene and the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study that included 181 patients from the Chinese Han population with hypertensive ICH and 197 hypertension patients without ICH. Genomic DNA was extracted by DNA extraction kit, and the 6 single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes of the COL4A1 gene were detected with a MassARRAY Analyzer. Unphased 3.1.4 and SPSS 19.0 were used to analyze the association between alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes of the COL4A1 gene and the risk of ICH.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, patients in the ICH group were significantly younger. There were no differences in gender, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, current smoking, and alcohol consumption between the 2 groups. Our association analysis showed that the rs3742207 A, rs11069830 A, and rs679505 A alleles were association factors of the risks of ICH; rs11069830 AA, rs544012 AC, and rs679505 AA genotypes were association factors of the risk of ICH; AA haplotype (rs3742207-rs11069830) was an association factor of the risk of ICH. After adjusting age and gender by multivariate logistic regression, the rs544012 AC and rs679505 AA genotypes were independently associated with the risk of ICH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the rs544012 AC and rs679505 AA genotypes were independently associated with the risk of ICH in the Chinese Han population and that the AA haplotype (rs3742207-rs11069830) in the COL4A1 gene may be related to the risk of ICH in the Chinese Han population; these conclusions need further confirmation in future studies with larger samples.

SSTR2 associated with neuronal apoptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage in adult rats

Objective SSTR2 is a member of superfamily of SST receptor (SSTR), and widely expressed in the brain; however, the knowledge of its functions in area adjacent to hematoma after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still limited. Method The role of SSTR2 in the processes of ICH was explored by conducting an ICH rat model. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to examine the level of SSTR2 in area adjacent to hematoma after ICH. Immunofluorescent staining was used to observe the spatial correlation of SSTR2 with cellular types adjacent to hematoma after ICH. RNA interference specific to SSTR2 was adopted in PC12 cells to clarify the causal correlation between SSTR2 and neuronal activities. Results Increased expression of SSTR2 was observed and restricted to the neurons adjacent to hematoma following ICH. Immunofluorescent staining showed that SSTR2 was significant increased in neurons, but not astrocytes or microglia. Increasing SSTR2 level was found to be accompanied by the up-regulation of activated caspase-3 and the down-expression of p-Akt in a time-dependent manner. What's more, using SSTR2 RNA interference (SSTR2-RNAi) in PC12 cells, we indicated that SSTR2 might have a pro-apoptotic role in neurons. Conclusion We speculated that SSTR2 might exert its pro-apoptotic function in neurons through inhibiting Akt activity following ICH.

Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets of Depression After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The relationship between depression and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is complicated. One of the most common neuropsychiatric comorbidities of hemorrhagic stroke is Post-ICH depression. Depression, as a neuropsychiatric symptom, also negatively impacts the outcome of ICH by enhancing morbidity, disability, and mortality. However, the ICH outcome can be improved by antidepressants such as the frequently-used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This review therefore presents the mechanisms of post-ICH depression, we grouped the mechanisms according to inflammation, oxidative stress (OS), apoptosis and autophagy, and explained them through their several associated signaling pathways. Inflammation is mainly related to Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the NF-kB mediated signal pathway, the PPAR-γ-dependent pathway, as well as other signaling pathways. OS is associated to nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), the PI3K/Akt pathway and the MAPK/P38 pathway. Moreover, autophagy is associated with the mTOR signaling cascade and the NF-kB mediated signal pathway, while apoptosis is correlated with the death receptor-mediated apoptosis pathway, mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, caspase-independent pathways and others. Furthermore, we found that neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis experience interactions with one another. Additionally, it may provide several potential therapeutic targets for patients that might suffer from depression after ICH.

Acupuncture through Baihui (DU20) to Qubin (GB7) mitigates neurological impairment after intracerebral hemorrhage

Inflammation plays an important role in nerve defects caused by intracerebral hemorrhage. Repairing brain damage by inhibiting the macrophage-inducible C-type lectin/spleen tyrosine kinase (Mincle/Syk) signaling pathway is a potential new target for treating cerebral hemorrhage. In this study, we aimed to determine whether acupuncture through Baihui (DU20) to Qubin (GB7) is an effective treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage through the Mincle/Syk signaling pathway. An intracerebral hemorrhage rat model was established by autologous blood infusion into the caudate nucleus. Acupuncture through Baihui to Qubin was performed for 30 minutes, once every 12 hours, for a total of three times. Piceatannol (34.62 mg/kg), a Syk inhibitor, was intraperitoneally injected as a control. Modified neurological severity score was used to assess neurological function. Brain water content was measured. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay were used to detect immunoreactivity and protein expression levels of Mincle, Syk, and CARD9. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine interleukin-1β mRNA levels. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe histopathological changes. Our results showed that acupuncture through Baihui to Qubin remarkably improved neurological function and brain water content, and inhibited immunoreactivity and expression of Mincle, Syk, CARD9, and interkeukin-1β. Moreover, this effect was similar to piceatannol. These findings suggest that acupuncture through Baihui to Qubin can improve neurological impairment after cerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting the Mincle/Syk signaling pathway.

Risk Factors of Rehemorrhage in Postoperative Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage : A Case-Control Study

Objective

Rehemorrhage is the most severe complication of postoperative patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of the present study was to assess independent predictors of rehemorrhage and find the possibility of preventing rehemorrhage in postoperative patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH).

Methods

Medical records of 263 postoperative patients with sICH from our Hospital were reviewed. The relationships between rehemorrhage and parameters were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. The parameters include time from onset to surgery, hematologic paremeters, neuroimaging characteristics, level and variability of systolic blood pressure, medical histories, operation duration, and blood loss. In addition, relationship between rehemorrhage and clinical outcome were analyzed by using multivariate analyses.

Results

Thirty-five (13.31%) patients experienced rehemorrhage after operation. Multivariate analyses indicated that the following factors were independently associated with rehemorrhage : history of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 2.717; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.005–7.346; p=0.049), and midline shift (for every 1 mm increase, OR, 1.117; 95% CI, 1.029–1.214; p=0.009). Rehemorrhage was an independent risk factor of poor functional outcome (OR, 3.334; 95% CI, 1.094–10.155; p=0.034).

Conclusion

Our finding revealed that history of diabetes mellitus and admission midline shift were possibly associated with rehemorrhage in postoperative patients with sICH.

Analysis of three surgical treatments for spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 3 surgical procedures for Spontaneous Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage (SICH).A total of 63 patients with SICH were randomized into 3 groups. Group A (n = 21) underwent craniotomy surgery, group B (n = 22) underwent burr hole, urokinase infusion and catheter drainage, and group C (n = 20) underwent neuroendoscopic surgery. The hematoma evacuation rate of the operation was analyzed by 3D Slice software and the average surgery time, visualization during operation, decompressive effect, mortality, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) improvement, complications include rebleeding, pneumonia, intracranial infection were also compared among 3 groups.All procedures were successfully completed and the hematoma evacuation rate was significant differences among 3 groups which were 79.8%, 43.1%, 89.3% respectively (P < .01), and group C was the highest group. Group B was smallest traumatic one and shared the shortest operation time, but for the lack of hemostasis, it also the highest rebleeding group (P = .03). Although there were different in complications, but there was no significant in pneumonia, intracranial infection, GCS improvement and mortality rate.All these 3 methods had its own advantages and shortcomings, and every approach had its indications for SICH. Although for neuroendoscopic technical's minimal invasive, direct vision, effectively hematoma evacuation rate, and the relatively optimistic result, it might be a more promising approach for SICH.

Comparison of neuroendoscopic surgery and craniotomy for supratentorial hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In recent years, neuroendoscopy has been used as a method for treating intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs). However, the efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopic surgery is still controversial compared with that of craniotomy. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of neuroendoscopic surgery and craniotomy in patients with supratentorial hypertensive ICH using a meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify relevant studies in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Quality of eligible studies was evaluated and the related data were extracted by 2 reviewers independently. This study assessed clinical outcomes, evacuation rates, complications, operation time, and hospital stay for patients who underwent neuroendoscopic surgery (NE group) or craniotomy (craniotomy group).

RESULTS

Meta-analysis included 1327 subjects from verified studies of acceptable quality. There was no significant heterogeneity between the included studies based on clinical outcomes. Compared with craniotomy, neuroendoscopic surgery significantly improved clinical outcomes in both randomized controlled studies (RCTs) group (relative risk: 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.81, P < .001) and non-RCTs group (relative risk: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75-0.95, P = .005); decreased the rate of death (relative risk: 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.76, P < .001) in non-RCTs group but not in RCTs group (relative risk: 0.58; 95% CI, 0.26-1.29, P = .18); increased evacuation rates in non-RCTs group (standard mean differences: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.24-1.26, P = .004) and had a tendency of higher evacuation rates in RCTs group (standard mean differences: 1.34; 95% CI, 0.01-2.68, P = .05); reduced the total risk of complications in non-RCTs group (relative risk: 0.45; 95% CI, 0.25-0.83, P = .01) and RCTs group (relative risk: 0.37; 95% CI, 0.28-0.49, P < .001); reduced the operation time in non-RCTs group (standard mean differences: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.20-5.33, P < .001) and RCTs group (standard mean differences: 4.37; 95% CI: 3.32-5.41, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that the NE group showed better clinical outcomes than the craniotomy group for patients with supratentorial hypertensive ICH. Moreover, the patients who underwent neuroendoscopy had a higher evacuation rate, lower risk of complications, and shorter operation time compared with those that underwent a craniotomy.

The use of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor for clinical outcomes in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is used as an independent predictor for clinical outcomes in cancers, cardiovascular disorders and ischemic stroke. The prognostic role of NLR in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is still controversial. The aim of this report is to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic significance NLR in patients with sICH.

Materials and Methods

All related articles were searched on PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials followed the PRISMA flow diagram. The quality of eligible studies were evaluated and the related data were extracted by two reviewers independently. The end points included the mortality and poor outcomes and subgroup analyses were performed.

Results

Five studies with 1944 subjects were included and had acceptable quality. The high NLR had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, p = 0.02) and 90-day mortality (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.01-5.83, p = 0.047); without association with the poor outcomes (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.93-1.47, p = 0.18). After subgroup analyses, the high NLR correlated with an increased 90-day mortality in the high cut-off group (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.15-2.13, p = 0.005). The high NLR additionally predicts poor outcomes in smaller hematoma group (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01-1.32, p = 0.04) and the high cut-off group (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.54-3.14, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The high NLR was significantly associated with in-hospital and 90-day mortality in patients with sICH. The NLR with cut-off of 7.5 had statistically significant potential for predicting mortality and poor outcomes, regardless of country, time of laboratory test and hematoma volumes.

Antihypertensive treatments for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with cerebrovascular stenosis: A randomized clinical trial (ATICHST)

INTRODUCTION

Antihypertensive treatment is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). ADAPT showed that intensive blood pressure lowering (<140 mm Hg) does not reduce peri-hematoma regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in patients with sICH. However, the stenosis of main cerebral arteries that has a high presence in patients with sICH is well-known related to the brain ischemia. The effect of intensive BP lowering for sICH in patients with cerebrovascular stenosis is still unknown.

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of intensive BP lowering for sICH in patients with cerebrovascular stenosis.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A pilot trial has been conducted to calculate the sample size and 80 patients of sICH with cerebrovascular stenosis will be involved. The target of systolic blood pressure (SBP) will be maintained at from 120 to 140 mm Hg or from 140 to 180 mm Hg for 7 days. Cerebral ischemia will be assessed at 24 hours after onset by computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging and the follow-up will be conducted at 30-day and 90-day. The primary outcome is the reduction of peri-hematoma rCBF. The other cerebral perfusion indexes and the rate of ischemic stroke are regarded as other primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes include clinical outcome at 30 days and 90 days, complications, and hospital stays.

DISCUSSION

The ATICHST trial has been signed as a parallel, prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial to determine the effects of intensive BP lowering on sICH in patients with cerebrovascular stenosis, the results of which will contribute to guide the management of blood pressure in sICH.

CONCLUSION

The protocol will determine the safety and effectiveness of intensive BP lowering for sICH with cerebrovascular stenosis.

Autophagy in hemorrhagic stroke: Mechanisms and clinical implications

Accumulating evidence advances the critical role of autophagy in brain pathology after stroke. Investigations employing autophagy induction or inhibition using pharmacological tools or autophagy-related gene knockout mice have recently revealed the biological significance of intact and functional autophagy in stroke. Most of the reported cases attest to a pro-survival role for autophagy in stroke, by facilitating removal of damaged proteins and organelles, which can be recycled for energy generation and cellular defenses. However, these observations are difficult to reconcile with equally compelling evidence demonstrating stroke-induced upregulation of brain cell death index that parallels enhanced autophagy. This begs the question of whether drug-induced autophagy during stroke culminates in improved or worsened pathological outcomes. A corollary fascinating hypothesis, but presents as a tricky conundrum, involves the effects of autophagy on cell death and inflammation, which are two main culprits in the disease progression of stroke-induced brain injury. Evidence has extended the roles of autophagy in inflammation via cytokine regulation in an unconventional secretion manner or by targeting inflammasomes for degradation. Moreover, in the recently concluded Vancouver Autophagy Symposium (VAS) held in 2014, the potential of selective autophagy for clinical treatment has been recognized. The role of autophagy in ischemic stroke has been reviewed previously in detail. Here, we evaluate the strength of laboratory and clinical evidence by providing a comprehensive summary of the literature on autophagy, and thereafter we offer our perspectives on exploiting autophagy as a drug target for cerebral ischemia, especially in hemorrhagic stroke.

Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Management

Spontaneous non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. To improve the devastating course of ICH, various clinical trials for medical and surgical interventions have been conducted in the last 10 years. Recent large-scale clinical trials have reported that early intensive blood pressure reduction can be a safe and feasible strategy for ICH, and have suggested a safe target range for systolic blood pressure. While new medical therapies associated with warfarin and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants have been developed to treat ICH, recent trials have not been able to demonstrate the overall beneficial effects of surgical intervention on mortality and functional outcomes. However, some patients with ICH may benefit from surgical management in specific clinical contexts and/or at specific times. Furthermore, clinical trials for minimally invasive surgical evacuation methods are ongoing and may provide positive evidence. Upon understanding the current guidelines for the management of ICH, clinicians can administer appropriate treatment and attempt to improve the clinical outcome of ICH. The purpose of this review is to help in the decision-making of the medical and surgical management of ICH.

Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies of Bone Marrow-Derived Cell Therapies for Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Stroke is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, causing millions of deaths annually, and is also a major cause of disability-adjusted life years. Hemorrhagic stroke accounts for approximately 10 to 27% of all cases and has a fatality rate of about 50% in the first 30 days, with limited treatment possibilities. In the past two decades, the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived cells (particularly mesenchymal stem cells and mononuclear cells) has been intensively investigated in preclinical models of different neurological diseases, including models of intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. More recently, clinical studies, most of them small, unblinded, and nonrandomized, have suggested that the therapy with bone marrow-derived cells is safe and feasible in patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. This review discusses the available evidence on the use of bone marrow-derived cells to treat hemorrhagic strokes. Distinctive properties of animal studies are analyzed, including study design, cell dose, administration route, therapeutic time window, and possible mechanisms of action. Furthermore, clinical trials are also reviewed and discussed, with the objective of improving future studies in the field.

Upregulated Expression of Karyopherin α2 is Involved in Neuronal Apoptosis Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Adult Rats

Karyopherin α2 (KPNA2) plays a central role in nucleocytoplasmic transport. It is involved in controlling the flow of genetic information and the modulation of diverse cellular activities. Here we explored the KPNA2's roles during the pathophysiological processes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). An ICH rat model was built and evaluated according to behavioral testing. Using Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, significant upregulation of KPNA2 was found in neurons in brain areas surrounding the hematoma following ICH. Increasing KPNA2 level was found to be accompanied by the upregulation of active caspase-3, Bax, and decreased expression of Bcl-2. Besides, KPNA2 co-localized well with active caspase-3 in neurons, indicating its potential role in neuronal apoptosis. What's more, knocking down KPNA2 by RNA-interference in PC12 cells reduced active caspase-3 expression. Thus, KPNA2 may play a role in promoting the brain secondary damage following ICH.

"Cool" Topic: Feeding During Moderate Hypothermia After Intracranial Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic moderate hypothermia (MH; T _core 33°C-34°C) is being studied for treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Nutrition assessment begins with accurate basal metabolic rate (BMR) determination. Although early enteral nutrition (EN) is associated with improved outcomes, it is often deferred until rewarming. We sought to determine the accuracy of predictive BMR equations and the safety and tolerance of EN during MH after ICH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were randomized to 72 hours of MH or normothermia (NT; T _core 36°C-37°C). Harris-Benedict (BMR-HB) and Penn-State equation (BMR-PS) calculations were compared with indirect calorimetry (IC) at day (D) 0 and D1-3. Patients with MH received trophic semi-elemental gastric EN. Occurrences of feeding intolerance, gastrointestinal (GI)-related adverse events, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were analyzed with a double-sided matched pairs t test.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with ICH participated (6 MH, 7 NT). Mean time to initiate EN: 29.9 (MH) vs 18.4 (NT) hours ( P = .046). Average daily EN calories received D0-3: 398 (MH) vs 1006 (NT) ( P < .01). Three patients with MH experienced high gastric residuals prior to prokinetic agents, 1 had mild ileus, and 1 patient with NT vomited. No GI-related adverse events were reported. One patient with MH and 1 patient with NT had VAP. Two patients with MH received IC, and from D0 to D1-3, BMR-HB remained stable (1331 kcal), BMR-PS decreased (1511 vs 1145 kcal, P = .5), and IC decreased (1413 vs 985 kcal, P = .2).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ICH undergoing MH, resting energy expenditure is decreased and predictive equations overestimate BMR. EN is feasible, although delayed EN initiation, high gastric residuals, and less EN provision are common. Future studies should focus on EN initiation within 24 hours, advanced EN rates, and postpyloric feeds during hypothermia.

Surgery for Patients With Spontaneous Deep Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Case-Control Study Using Propensity Score Matching

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is one of the most dangerous cerebrovascular diseases, especially when in deep brain. The treatment of spontaneous deep supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage is still controversial. We conducted a retrospective case-control study using propensity score matching to compare the efficacy of surgery and conservative treatment for patients with deep surpatentorial hemorrhage. We observed the outcomes of consecutive patients with spontaneous deep supratentorial hemorrhage retrospectively from December 2008 to July 2013. Clinical outcomes of surgery and conservative treatments were compared in patients with deep sICH using propensity score matching method. The primary outcome was neurological function status at 6 months post ictus. The second outcomes included mortality at 30 days and 6 months, and the incidence of complications. Subgroup analyses of 6-month outcome were conducted. Sixty-three (22.66%) of the 278 patients who received surgery had a favorable neurological function status at 6 months, whereas in the conservative group, 66 of 278 (23.74%) had the same result (P = 0.763). The 30-day mortality in the surgical group was 19.06%, whereas 30.58% in the conservative group (P = 0.002). There was significant difference in the mortality at 6 months after ictus as well (23.38% vs 36.33%, P = 0.001). The subgroup analyses showed significantly better outcomes for the surgical group when hematoma was >40 mL (13.33% vs 0%, P = 0.005) or complicated with intraventricular hemorrhage (16.67% vs 7.27%, P = 0.034). For complications, the risk of pulmonary infection, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, urinary infection, pulmonary embolus, and need for tracheostomy/long term ventilation in the surgical group was higher than the conservative group (31.29% vs 15.47%, P < 0.001; 6.83% vs 3.96%, P = 0.133; 2.88% vs 1.80%, P = 0.400; 1.80% vs 1.08%, P = 0.476; 32.73% vs 23.38%, P = 0.014). Surgery could reduce the short-term mortality as well as long-term mortality in patients with spontaneous deep supratentorial hemorrhage. Moreover, surgery might improve the functional outcome in patients with large hematoma or with IVH compared with conservative treatment. Surgery might be a beneficial choice for part of the patients with spontaneous deep supratentorial hemorrhage, but further detailed research is still needed.

Blockade of high mobility group box-1 signaling via the receptor for advanced glycation end-products ameliorates inflammatory damage after acute intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating disease with no specific treatment. Increasing evidence indicates that inflammatory response plays a critical role in ICH-induced damage. High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) may trigger inflammatory response via three putative receptors: receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4). Which receptor participates in HMGB1-induced inflammation during acute ICH is unknown. Using a rat model to examine the early phase of injury in collagenase-induced ICH, we found that treating animals with HMGB1 antagonist significantly reduced the expression of all three receptors. Treating animals with the HMGB1 antagonist EP or RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1 significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and expression of IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the perihematoma after ICH. Treatment with EP or FPS-ZM1 also led to greater neurobehavioral function and less brain edema, hemorrhage volume and brain damage after ICH. In contrast, treatment with TLR2/4 antagonists did not significantly affect these post-ICH outcomes. Our results suggest that RAGE may play a specific role in the acute phase of ICH, so targeting the HMGB1-RAGE signaling pathway may be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Immune interventions in stroke

Approaches for the effective management of acute stroke are sparse, and many measures for brain protection fail. However, our ability to modulate the immune system and modify the progression of multiple sclerosis is increasing. As a result, immune interventions are currently being explored as therapeutic interventions in acute stroke. In this Review, we compare the immunological features of acute stroke with those of multiple sclerosis, identify unique immunological features of stroke, and consider the evidence for immune interventions. In patients with acute stroke, microglial activation and cell death products trigger an inflammatory cascade that damages vessels and the parenchyma within minutes to hours of the ischaemia or haemorrhage. Immune interventions that restrict brain inflammation, vascular permeability and tissue oedema must be administered rapidly to reduce acute immune-mediated destruction and to avoid subsequent immunosuppression. Preliminary results suggest that the use of drugs that modify disease in multiple sclerosis might accomplish these goals in ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Further elucidation of the immune mechanisms involved in stroke is likely to lead to successful immune interventions.

Intracranial hemorrhage: frequency, location, and risk factors identified in a TeleStroke network

Intracranial hemorrhages are associated with high rates of disability and mortality. Telemedicine in general provides clinical healthcare at a distance by using videotelephony and teleradiology and is used particularly in acute stroke care medicine (TeleStroke). TeleStroke considerably improves quality of stroke care (for instance, by increasing thrombolysis) and may be valuable for the management of intracranial hemorrhages in rural hospitals and hospitals lacking neurosurgical departments, given that surgical/interventional therapy is only recommended for a subgroup of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency, anatomical locations of intracranial hemorrhage, risk factors, and the proportion of patients transferred to specialized hospitals. We evaluated teleconsultations conducted between 2008 and 2010 in a large cohort of patients consecutively enrolled in the Telemedical Project for Integrated Stroke Care (TEMPiS) network. In cases in which intracranial hemorrhage was detected, all images were re-examined and analyzed with a focus on frequency, location, risk factors, and further management. Overall, 6187 patients presented with stroke-like symptoms. Intracranial hemorrhages were identified in 631 patients (10.2%). Of these, intracerebral hemorrhages were found in 423 cases (67.0%), including 174 (41.1%) in atypical locations and 227 (53.7%) in typical sites among other locations. After 14 days of hospitalization in community facilities, the mortality rate in patients with intracranial hemorrhages was 15.1% (95/631). Two hundred and twenty-three patients (35.3%) were transferred to neurological/neurosurgical hospitals for diagnostic workup or additional treatment. Community hospitals are confronted with patients with intracranial hemorrhage, whose management requires specific neurosurgical and hematological expertise with respect to hemorrhage subtype and clinical presentation. TeleStroke networks help select patients who need advanced neurological and/or neurosurgical care. The relatively low proportion of interhospital transfers shown in this study reflects a differentiated decision process on the basis of both guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Prolonged Emergency Department Length of Stay as a Predictor of Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage

Objectives

Extended time in the emergency department (ED) has been related to adverse outcomes among stroke patients. We examined the associations of ED nursing shift change (SC) and length of stay in the ED with outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

Data were collected on all spontaneous ICH patients admitted to our stroke center from 7/1/08–6/30/12. Outcomes (frequency of pneumonia, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge, NIHSS score at discharge, and mortality rate) were compared based on shift change experience and length of stay (LOS) dichotomized at 5 hours after arrival.

Results

Of the 162 patients included, 60 (37.0%) were present in the ED during a SC. The frequency of pneumonia was similar in the two groups. Exposure to an ED SC was not a significant independent predictor of any outcome. LOS in the ED ≥5 hours was a significant independent predictor of discharge mRS 4–6 (OR 3.638, 95% CI 1.531–8.645, and P = 0.0034) and discharge NIHSS (OR 3.049, 95% CI 1.491–6.236, and P = 0.0023) but not death.

Conclusions

Our study found no association between nursing SC and adverse outcome in patients with ICH but confirms the prior finding of worsened outcome after prolonged length of stay in the ED.

Mild hypothermia in combination with minimally invasive evacuation of hematoma reduces inflammatory damage in patients via the nuclear factor-κB pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mild hypothermia and minimally invasive evacuation of hematoma on the brain function of patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Seventy-six patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage were divided into the minimally invasive evacuation of hematoma (MIHE) and mild hypothermia and minimally invasive evacuation of hematoma (MHMIHE) groups. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on the day of admission of the patient and one, three and seven days after the procedure were recorded. Perihematoma brain tissue morphology was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level was detected by ELISA. NIHSS scores in the MHMIHE group were significantly lower than those in the MIHE group on days three and seven. TNF-α and NF-κB levels peaked on day three, and the MHMIHE group had significantly lower levels of TNF-α and NF-κB than the MIHE group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that mild hypothermia and minimally invasive evacuation of hematoma can effectively reduce inflammation and improve the brain function of patients.

Progressing haemorrhagic stroke: categories, causes, mechanisms and managements

Haemorrhagic stroke is a severe stroke subtype with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although this condition has been recognised for a long time, the progressing haemorrhagic stroke has not received adequate attention, and it accounts for an even worse clinical outcome than the nonprogressing types of haemorrhagic stroke. In this review article, we categorised the progressing haemorrhagic stroke into acute progressing haemorrhagic stroke, subacute haemorrhagic stroke, and chronic progressing haemorrhagic stroke. Haematoma expansion, intraventricular haemorrhage, perihaematomal oedema, and inflammation, can all cause an acute progression of haemorrhagic stroke. Specific 'second peak' of perihaematomal oedema after intracerebral haemorrhage and 'tension haematoma' are the primary causes of subacute progression. For the chronic progressing haemorrhagic stroke, the occult vascular malformations, trauma, or radiologic brain surgeries can all cause a slowly expanding encapsulated haematoma. The mechanisms to each type of progressing haemorrhagic stroke is different, and the management of these three subtypes differs according to their causes and mechanisms. Conservative treatments are primarily considered in the acute progressing haemorrhagic stroke, whereas surgery is considered in the remaining two types.

Minimally invasive surgery treatment for the patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (MISTICH): protocol of a multi-center randomized controlled trial

Background

The choice of surgical or conservative treatment for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is controversial. Some minimally invasive treatments have been applied to hematoma evacuation and could improve prognosis to some extent. Up to now, studies on minimally invasive surgery for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage are still insufficient.

Design

The MISTICH is a multi-center, prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel group, controlled clinical trial. 2448 eligible patients will be assigned to neuroendoscopy group, stereotactic aspiration group and craniotomy group randomly. Patients will receive the corresponding surgery based on the result of randomization. Surgeries will be performed by well-trained surgeons and standard medical treatment will be given to all patients. Patients will be followed up at 7 days, 30 days, and 6 months. The primary outcome of this study is unfavorable outcome at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include: mortality at 30 days and 6 months after surgery; neurological functional status of 6 months after surgery; complications including rebleeding, ischemic stroke and intracranial infection; days of hospitalization.

Discussion

The MISTICH trial is a randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether minimally invasive surgeries could improve the prognosis for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage compared with craniotomy. (ChiCTR-TRC-12002026. Registered 23 March 2012).

The definition of a prolonged intensive care unit stay for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients: an application with national health insurance research database

Introduction. Length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) patients is one of the most important issues. The disease severity, psychosocial factors, and institutional factors will influence the length of ICU stay. This study is used in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to define the threshold of a prolonged ICU stay in sICH patients. Methods. This research collected the demographic data of sICH patients in the NHIRD from 2005 to 2009. The threshold of prolonged ICU stay was calculated using change point analysis. Results. There were 1599 sICH patients included. A prolonged ICU stay was defined as being equal to or longer than 10 days. There were 436 prolonged ICU stay cases and 1163 nonprolonged cases. Conclusion. This study showed that the threshold of a prolonged ICU stay is a good indicator of hospital utilization in ICH patients. Different hospitals have their own different care strategies that can be identified with a prolonged ICU stay. This indicator can be improved using quality control methods such as complications prevention and efficiency of ICU bed management. Patients' stay in ICUs and in hospitals will be shorter if integrated care systems are established.

Central vestibular disease in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) with cerebral infarction and hemorrhage

A 24-year-old female blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) was presented for an acute onset of left head tilt. On examination, the macaw was dehydrated and had a 120-degree left head tilt, decreased proprioception of the left pelvic limb, and intermittent vertical nystagmus. Results of hematologic testing and biochemical analysis revealed severe leukocytosis with lymphopenia and heterophilia and a high uric acid concentration. Radiographs showed bilateral intertarsal joint osteoarthritis and a healed ulnar fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed focal T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintense lesions in the right cerebral hemisphere and in the midbrain. The midbrain lesion showed susceptibility artifact on the T2* sequence, suggesting hemorrhage. In the T2* sequence, iron accumulation (as seen with hemorrhage) distorts the magnetic signal, resulting in the production of a susceptibility artifact, which can then be visualized as a region of hypointensity. The bird was hospitalized but died despite intensive care. Necropsy revealed multiple cerebral vascular lesions including an acute cerebral infarct, a ruptured midbrain aneurysm, and multifocal systemic atherosclerosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a cerebral aneurysm in a bird. This report correlates the clinical presentation, imaging, and histopathologic findings in a macaw with central vestibular disease and demonstrates how advanced imaging techniques can identify hemorrhagic lesions through the T2* sequence.

Toll-like receptor 2/4 heterodimer mediates inflammatory injury in intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory injury plays a critical role in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced secondary brain injury. However, the upstream events that initiate inflammatory responses following ICH remain elusive. Our previous studies suggested that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may be the upstream signal that triggers inflammatory injury in ICH. In addition, recent clinical findings indicated that both TLR2 and TLR4 may participate in ICH-induced brain injury. However, it is unclear how TLR2 functions in ICH-induced inflammatory injury and how TLR2 interacts with TLR4.

METHODS

The role of TLR2 and TLR2/TLR4 heterodimerization in ICH-induced inflammatory injury was investigated in both in vivo and in vitro models of ICH.

RESULTS

TLR2 mediated ICH-induced inflammatory injury, which forms a heterodimer with TLR4 in both in vivo and in vitro models of ICH. Hemoglobin (Hb), but not other blood components, triggered inflammatory injury in ICH via assembly of TLR2/TLR4 heterodimers. MyD88 (myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88), but not TRIF (Toll/IR-1 domain-containing adaptor protein inducing interferon-beta), was required for ICH-induced TLR2/TLR4 heterodimerization. Mutation of MyD88 Arg196 abolished the TLR2/TLR4 heterodimerization.

INTERPRETATION

Our results suggest that a novel TLR2/TLR4 heterodimer induced by Hb initiates inflammatory injury in ICH. Interfering with the assembly of the TLR2/TLR4 heterodimer may be a novel target for developing effective treatment of ICH.

Skilled reach training influences brain recovery following intracerebral hemorrhage in rats

[Purpose] The present study investigated how skilled reach training influences functional and neurological brain recovery via a rat model with intracerebral hemorrhage. [Subjects] Thirty rats with intracerebral hemorrhage were divided into 2 groups randomly: the control group (CON) that did not receive any treatment, and the experimental group (SRT) that received skilled reach training. [Methods] The experimental group was trained through skilled reaching training with the affected upper limb in 15-minute sessions administered 6 days per week for 4 weeks. [Results] In the behavioral test, the results showed that motor function was significantly improved in the skilled reach training group compared with the control group. In the neurological teat, the expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was significantly increased in the skilled reach training group compared with the control group. [Conclusion] Skilled reach training is able to facilitate both the expression of neurotrophic factor in the motor cortex and motor function recovery following intracerebral hemorrhage.