title: Previous antiplatelet use is associated with hematoma expansion in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) often report the use of antiplatelet medications, even more commonly than the use of anticoagulants. The effect of antiplatelet drugs on the course of ICH is controversial. In this study, our aim was to determine the effects of previous antiplatelet therapy on admission hematoma volume and hematoma expansion in patients with spontaneous ICH.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of patients with a diagnosis of ICH who underwent brain computed tomographic (CT) scans within 12 hours of symptom onset and a follow-up CT scan within 72 hours were included in the study. Hematoma volume was calculated by using the ABC/2 method on admission and follow-up images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the independent role of antiplatelet use on baseline hematoma volume and hematoma expansion (defined as an increase in hematoma volume >12.5 mL or 33% of the baseline ICH volume).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 153 patients were included in the study. Fifty-two (34%) patients were using antiplatelet drugs at the time of symptom onset. Antiplatelet users tend to have a larger baseline hematoma volume; however, this difference failed to reach statistical significance (P = .17). Antiplatelet therapy was found to be a significant determinant of substantial hematoma expansion, both in univariate and multivariate analyses (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous antiplatelet use significantly contributes to hematoma expansion in patients with ICH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozlem Kayim
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Ethem Murat
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Arsava
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akpinar
authors.forename: Mehmet Akif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Topcuoglu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors