Does early medical intervention have a role in the management of intracerebral haemorrhage?

Abstract

Introduction: 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.

Treatments/discussion: 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.