J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2014 Jan;55(1):1-4. 10.3340/jkns.2014.55.1.1.

Mortality and Real Cause of Death from the Nonlesional Intracerebral Hemorrhage

• Kim KD
• Chang CH
• Choi BY
• Jung YJ

• KMID: 2191032
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2014.55.1.1

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The case fatality rate of nonlesional intracerebral hemorrhage (n-ICH) was high and not changed. Knowing the causes is important to their prevention; however, the reasons have not been studied. The aims of this study were to determine the cause of death, to improve the clinical outcomes.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed consecutive cases of nonlesional intracerebral hemorrhage in a prospective stroke registry from January 2010 to December 2010.
RESULTS
Among 174 patients (61.83+/-13.36, 28-90 years), 29 patients (16.7%) died during hospitalization. Most common cause of death was initial neurological damage (41.4%, 12/29). Seventeen patients who survived the initial damage may then develop various potentially fatal complications. Except for death due to the initial neurological sequelae, death associated with immobilization (such as pneumonia or thromboembolic complication) was the most common in eight cases (8/17, 47.1%). However, death due to early rebleeding was not common and occurred in only 2 cases (2/17, 11.8%). Age, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, and diabetes mellitus were statistically significant factors influencing mortality (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Mortality of n-ICH is still high. Initial neurological damage is the most important factor; however, non-neurological medical complications are a large part of case fatality. Most cases of death of patients who survived from the first bleeding were due to complications of immobilization. These findings have implications for clinical practice and planning of clinical trials. In addition, future conduct of a randomized study will be necessary in order to evaluate the benefits of early mobilization for prevention of immobilization related complications.

Keyword

Intracerebral hemorrhage; Cause of death

MeSH Terms

Cause of Death*
Cerebral Hemorrhage*
Diabetes Mellitus
Early Ambulation
Glasgow Coma Scale
Hemorrhage
Hospitalization
Humans
Immobilization
Mortality*
Pneumonia
Prospective Studies
Retrospective Studies
Stroke

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