brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Treatment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Monitoring and supportive measures as needed Control of risk factors Sometimes treatments to help blood clot Sometimes surgery to remove the accumulated blood People with an intracerebral hemorrhage are usually admitted to a intensive care unit (ICU). There, they can be monitored, provided with support of vital functions (such as breathing) as needed, and treated for any problems that occur. Treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage differs from that of an ischemic stroke. Anticoagulants (such asheparinandwarfarin), thrombolytic medications, and antiplatelet medications (such asaspirin) are not given because they make bleeding worse. If people who are taking an anticoagulant have a hemorrhagic stroke, they may need a treatment that helps blood clot such as Vitamin K, usually given intravenously Transfusions of platelets Transfusions of blood that has had blood cells and platelets removed (fresh frozen plasma) A solution that contains clotting factors and other proteins that help blood clot (prothrombin complex concentrate) Treatment is treated only if it is very high. Decreasing blood pressure too rapidly or by too much can reduce the blood supply to parts of the brain that have already been deprived of blood because of the hemorrhage. Then, the lack of blood may result in a stroke (an ischemic stroke) in those parts of the brain. Surgery to remove the accumulated blood and relieve pressure within the skull is rarely done because the operation itself can damage the brain. Also, removing the accumulated blood can trigger more bleeding, further damaging the brain and leading to severe disability. However, this operation may be lifesaving if people have a large hemorrhage in the cerebellum (the part of the brain that helps coordinate the body’s movements). If Treatment is present, a surgeon may place a drain (called an external ventricular drain) in the brain to rapidly decrease pressure within the skull. This procedure can be lifesaving. A thin tube is placed in the brain, and the fluid drains into a collection bag outside the body. Antiseizure medications are given if people have had seizures. 