Hypothermia reduces perihemorrhagic edema after intracerebral hemorrhage: but does it influence functional outcome and mortality?
Large intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with poor outcome. In a recent pilot study, therapeutic hypothermia (TH) prevented perihematomal edema growth and led to a high survival rate. Patients of this pilot study were now investigated 12 months after ICH. Twelve patients were treated with mild TH of 35°C for 10 days. All patients survived day 90 after ICH and were investigated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at day 90 and after 12 months. At day 90, only two patients showed a mRS of 3, whereas all other had a mRS of 4 and 5. After 12 months, 2 patients had died, whereas 6 patients (50%) were able to walk without assistance (mRS 3). TH may be a promising treatment option for patients with large ICH, since pilot data indicate a high survival rate and a high chance for an acceptable functional long-term outcome.
1 Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen, Germany .
Dimitre
D
Staykov
Stefan
S
Schwab
Arnd
A
Dörfler
Rainer
R
Kollmar