Predictors of Hemorrhage Volume after Intravenous Thrombolysis

Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is one of the most feared complications after administration of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA). The aim of this study was to determine correlations between hemorrhage volume (HV) after IV rtPA treatment and risk factors for sICH.

We analyzed 318 patients from the stroke registries of 4 hospitals in Korea. We confirmed hemorrhage by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging within 36 hours. Patient groups were classified by HV (0, 0-10, 10-25, and greater than 25 mL). Based on the HV, we evaluated the following: (1) predictors for hemorrhage; (2) rates of sICH according to various sICH definitions; and (3) 3-month functional outcomes after IV rtPA treatment.

Among the 318 patients, hemorrhage occurred in 72 patients. HV was significantly correlated with atrial fibrillation (OR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.87-6.09), early CT changes (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.69-5.93), and dense artery sign (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.07-3.39). Compared with the groups with HV less than 25 mL, patients with an HV of greater than 25 mL were more likely to have higher mortality rates (33.3% versus 11.8%) and worse outcomes at 3 months (good: 8.3% versus 50.3%; excellent: 0% versus 33.7%).

HV after IV rtPA is an important predictor of clinical outcomes. Atrial fibrillation, early CT changes, and dense artery sign were significantly associated with large HVs; therefore, these patient factors might be considered before and after thrombolytic treatment.