Intracerebral haemorrhage Flashcards
What is the typical presentation of an intracerebral haemorrhage?
sudden onset of severe neurological deficit with headache
Generally speaking, what causes haemorrhagic stroke and the clinical deficit that results?
- weakening of cerebral vessels leading to cerebral vessel rupture and haematoma formation
- clinical deficit directly caused by neuronal injury, and indirectly by cerebral oedema
At what point following symptom onset does cerebral oedema reach a peak?
5 days
What proportion of haemorrhagic strokes are intracerebral haemorrhage?
75%
What are 9 strong risk factors that increase the rate of intracerebral haemorrhage?
- Increased age
- Male
- Higher rate in Asian ethnic groups
- Family history of haemorrhagic stroke
- Haemophilia
- Cerebral amyloid angiopathy/hypertension
- Anticoagulation therapy
- Illicit sympathomimetic drugs (cocaine and amphetamines)
- Vascular malformations (particularly younger patients)
What are 3 weaker risk factors for haemorrhagic stroke?
- NSAIDs
- Heavy alcohol use
- Thrombocytopenia
What are 3 important aspects of the acute management of haemorrhagic stroke?
- Neurosurgical and neurocritical care evaluation
- Admission to neuro ICU or stroke unit - may require intubation and ventilation or invasive monitoring of ICPs
- Aim to keep blood pressure <140/80
Why is a neurosurgical and neurocritical care evaluation necessary in the acute management of haemorrhagic stroke?
potential surgical intervention required e.g. decompressive hemicraniectomy
Why should a patient with haemorrhagic stroke be admitted to the neuro ICU or stroke unit?
may require intubation and ventilation or invasive monitoring of ICPs
What is the aim for blood pressure following haemorrhagic stroke?
<140/80
Why is important to keep blood pressure low following a haemorrhagic stroke?
poor BP control in acute stage is associated with poorer outcomes later on
What type of imaging is the gold standard means of detecting intracranial haemorrhage in acute stroke?
Non-contrast CT
How will blood appear following intracerebral haemorrhage on non-contrast CT?
blood is hyerdense initially (white), then as broken down, density declines by 1.5 Hounsfield units per day - becomes hypodense
What is the most common aetiology of basal ganglia haemorrhage?
small vessel disease
What is the most common cause of lobar haematoma?
amyloid angiopathy in the elderly, underlying pathology e.g. AVMs in younger patients