Does early medical intervention have a role in the management of intracerebral haemorrhage?
BACKGROUND
An increasing amount of research is now being directed towards the medical treatment of patients who have suffered an intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Despite this, no routine drug treatment to date has been shown to be unequivocally effective in unselected patients.
Approaches to treatment are based upon our understanding of the pathophysiological sequelae following ICH. Strategies to reduce haematoma growth, subsequent oedema formation and perihaematoma ischaemia are key targets for further research. Whether these therapies become valuable tools for the future is as yet unclear. Until then, the mainstay of the medical management of ICH remains individualised care.


CONCLUSIONS
There is now a pressing need for large prospective randomised controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of pharmacological therapies for this condition.
Bhalla
A
A
St Helier Stroke Service, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Surrey, UK. abhalla@sgul.ac.uk
Hargroves
D
D
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001831:Body Temperature; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000517:prevention & control; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006406:Hematoma / Q000517:prevention & control; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D011187:Posture; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control
D000925:Anticoagulants; D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents