Object: In this study the authors analyzed the relationship of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) to in-hospital complications and clinical outcome in a large population of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
Methods: Data from 3539 patients with aneurysmal SAH were evaluated, and these data were obtained from four prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of tirilazad that had been conducted between 1991 and 1997. Clinical characteristics, in-hospital complications, and outcome at 3 months post-SAH (Glasgow Outcome Scale score) were analyzed with regard to the presence or absence of IVH.
Results: Patients with SAH and IVH differ in demographic and admission characteristics from those with SAH but without IVH and are more likely to suffer in-hospital complications and a worse outcome at 3 months post-SAH.
Conclusions: The presence of IVH in patients with SAH has an important predictive value with regard to these aspects.