Direct bilirubin: A predictor of hematoma expansion after intracerebral hemorrhage

Previous evidence demonstrated that several biomarkers involved in the pathological process of coagulation/hemostasis dysfunction, impairment of brain vascular integrity and inflammation are associated with hematoma expansion (HE) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to explore whether there were unreported laboratory biomarkers associated with HE that were readily and commonly available in clinical practice.

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive acute ICH patients from 2012 to 2020 with admission laboratory tests and baseline and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between conventional laboratory indicators and HE. The results were verified in a prospective validation cohort. The relationship of candidate biomarker and 3-month outcomes was also investigated and mediation analysis was undertaken to determine causal associations among candidate biomarker, HE and outcome.

Of 734 ICH patients, 163 (22.2%) presented HE. Among the included laboratory indicators, higher direct bilirubin (DBil) was associated with HE (adjusted odds ratio [OR] of per 1.0 μmol/L change 1.082; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.011-1.158). DBil >5.65 μmol/L was a predictor of HE in validation cohort. Higher DBil was also associated with poor 3-month outcomes. The mediation analysis indicated that the association of higher DBil and poor outcomes was partially mediated by HE.

DBil is a predictor of HE and poor 3-month outcomes after ICH. DBil's metabolic process and involvement in the pathological mechanism of HE are likely to contribute to the association between DBil and HE. Interventions targeting DBil to improve post-ICH prognosis may be meaningful and worthy of further exploration.