Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction is Associated with Reduced Hematoma Growth in Fast Bleeding Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Abstract

ObjectivePatients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at the highest risk of hematoma growth are those with the most potential to benefit from anti‐expansion treatment. Large clinical trials have not definitively shown a clear benefit of blood pressure (BP) reduction. We aim to determine whether intensive blood pressure reduction could benefit patients with fast bleeding ICH.MethodsAn exploratory analysis of data from the Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage 2 (ATACH‐2) randomized controlled trial was performed. In order to capture not just early bleeding (even if a small amount), but the rate of bleeding (ml/hour), we restricted the study to “Fast bleeding ICH,” defined as an ICH volume/onset to computed tomography (CT) time >5 ml/hr. Hematoma growth, as defined as an increase of hematoma volume > 33% between baseline and 24 hours.ResultsA total of 940 patients were included (mean age = 62.1 years, 61.5% men), of whom 214 (22.8%) experienced hematoma expansion. Of these, 567 (60.3%) met the definition of “fast bleeding” with baseline ICH volume/time to presentation of at least 5 ml/hr. Intensive BP reduction was associated with a significantly lower rate of hematoma growth in fast bleeding patients (20.6% vs 31.0%, p = 0.005). In a subgroup of 266 (46.9%) fast‐bleeding patients who received treatment within 2 hours after symptom onset, intensive BP lowering was associated with improved functional independence (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–3.69, p = 0.031).InterpretationOur results suggest that early use of intensive BP reduction may reduce hematoma growth and improve outcome in fast bleeding patients. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:129–136