Haemorrhage accounts for ~ 20% of strokes. It is divided into intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Haemorrhagic stroke is more severe than ischemic stroke since it creates mass effect faster than ischemic stroke (where edema peaks in 3 – 5 days). Aggressive blood pressure control is indicated, often aiming for a systolic BP of 130 – 150.
- Causes
- Small vessel disease (basal ganglia, thalamus, pons, cerebellum)
- Large vessel disease (lobar infarction)
- Vascular malformations
- Tumor
- Voagulopathy
- Vasculitis
- Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
- Septic emboli in endocarditis
- Cocaine
- Haemorrhagic transformation of ischaemic stroke
- Treatment
- Aggressive blood pressure control
- Reduce SBP to 130 – 150 mmHg
- Nicardipine is commonly used
- Reverse anticoagulation
- Administer FFP if the patient is on warfarine
- Monitor for Seizures
- Surgical clot evacuation
- The clot has to be removed sinceiron is toxic to the brain
- Minimally invasive surgery with thrombolysis in intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation (MISTIE)
- Endoport-mediated evacuation (ENRICH)
- Aggressive blood pressure control