Treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage with urokinase : effects on 30-Day survival.

Author(s): Naff NJ, Carhuapoma JR, Williams MA, Bhardwaj A, Ulatowski JA, Bederson J, Bullock R, Schmutzhard E, Pfausler B, Keyl PM, Tuhrim S, Hanley DF

Affiliation(s): Division of Neurosurgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, USA.

Publication date & source: 2000-04, Stroke., 31(4):841-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) remains associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therapy with external ventricular drainage alone has not modified outcome in these patients. METHODS: Twelve pilot IVH patients who required external ventricular drainage were prospectively treated with intraventricular urokinase followed by the randomized, double-blinded allocation of 8 patients to either treatment or placebo. Observed 30-day mortality was compared with predicted 30-day mortality obtained by use of a previously validated method. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled; admission Glasgow Coma Scale score in 11 patients was </=8; 10 patients had pulse pressure <85 mm Hg. Mean+/-SD ICH volume in 16 patients was 6.21+/-7.53 cm(3) (range 0 to 23.88 cm(3)), and mean+/-SD intraventricular hematoma volume was 44.26+/-31.65 cm(3) (range 1.31 to 100.36 cm(3)). Four patients (20%) died within 30 days. Predicted mortality for these 20 patients was 68.42% (range 3% to 100%). Probability of observing </=4 deaths among 20 patients under a 68.42% expected mortality is 0.000012. CONCLUSIONS: Intraventricular urokinase may significantly improve 30-day survival in IVH patients. On the basis of current evidence, a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter study that uses thrombolysis to treat IVH has received funding and began January 1, 2000.