Introduction

Acute spontaneous non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage is a life-threatening illness with a poor prognosis and few proven treatments [1].

The commonest cause of primary spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is hypertension, representing about 60–70% of the causes of ICH. Sustained elevated blood pressure (BP) in the acute ICH carries a risk of increased hemorrhage, enlargement of ICH volume, and more poor prognosis [2, 3]. Sakamoto et al. 2013 observed that a 10-mmHg increment in uncontrolled systolic blood pressure was found to be associated with poorer prognosis [4].

Management of blood pressure is the cornerstone in the treatment of cases of acute ICH [5]. Higher recovery and more favorable prognosis from intracerebral hemorrhage were seen in patients who accomplished the more systolic blood pressure (sBP) control (≧ 20 mmHg) in the first hour and kept up for 1 week [6, 7]. Additionally, the analysis of modified Rankin Scores demonstrated improved functional outcomes with an intensive lowering of blood pressure [8].

However, the ATACH-II (Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage II) trial demonstrating that intensive reduction of blood pressure is not superior to standard blood pressure lowering in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke [9].

The ideal management of BP after acute ICH is still debated and whether a higher intensive reduction of blood pressure after acute intracerebral hemorrhage may be better or not is still controversial [10]. Results from different randomized trials regarding the clinical guidelines for the management of hypertension in people with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were conflicting [11]. These results indicate that the management of BP and the prognosis after acute spontaneous ICH are very complicated [12].

Therefore, analysis based on actual BP accomplished may be a more efficient method to assess the impact of BP management on the outcome of ICH [13].

In our research, BP management and prognosis were studied in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage to decide the perfect time to control BP to improve outcomes.

Patients and methods

Patients and study design

This study was a prospective cohort study conducted on 252 consecutive patients with acute first-ever spontaneous ICH within 24 h of onset, presented by acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were admitted to the Department of Neurology of Mansoura University Hospital, during the period from May 2018 to the end of April 2019. Seventy patients were excluded from our study according to the exclusion criteria. In the follow-up after 3 months, 23 patients died and 8 patients were missed. So, the final study and analysis of results included 150 patients with an average age of 70.1 ± 13 years included 68 females and 82 males (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Study flowchart showing the number of patients included in the final analysis

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Ethical approval

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt (proposal code: R.19.09.606-2019/09/04). All patients or first degree relatives provided written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Patients with secondary ICH were excluded from this study (like traumatic, hemorrhagic infarcts, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), bleeding tumors, or space-occupying lesion (SOL), or primary intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) only without ICH. Also, patients with previous ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks (T1As) were excluded.

Methods

Patients were diagnosed by clinical examination and according to the initial CT brain after the onset of ICH. Intensive management of blood pressure (BP) started once the diagnosis of ICH was established and continuous intravenous infusion of antihypertensive drugs and frequent BP monitoring. On the basis of the 2015 guidelines of American Heart Association (AHA), the SBP intensive group is to maintain below 140  mmHg within 1  h from randomization [14]. The intravenous antihypertensive agents included sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin. Na nitroprusside started as continuous IV infusion of 0.5 μg/kg/min and increased gradually up to a maximum dose of 10 μg/kg/min or nitroglycerine may be used started as continuous an IV infusion of 5 μg/kg/min and increased gradually every 3–5 min until control of hypertension up to a maximum dose of 200 μg/kg/min. The doses of intravenous antihypertensive agents are reduced gradually; the SBP is maintained from 120 to 140  mmHg for following 7 days or until hospital discharge. The use of oral antihypertensive agents, like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,, after the control of hypertension was utilized in step by step change from intravenous administration.

Patients were exposed to:

  1. A)

    Complete history taking and complete clinical assessment including neurological and general examinations.

  2. B)

    Initial Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission to hospital and the level of consciousness of patients according to GCS score were classified into 3 groups I (13–15), II (5–12), and III (3–4 ) according to Hemphill et al. 2001 [15].

  3. C)

    Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is a profoundly valid and reliable measure of disability and is broadly utilized for assessing stroke outcomes and the degree of disability. We characterized a favorable outcome as mRS ranging from zero up to two, while unfavorable outcomes ranging from 3 up to 6 [16]. Patients have partitioned into two main groups: the first group was favorable outcome patients (mRS equals 0–2) and the second group was unfavorable outcome patients (mRS equasl 3–6).

  4. D)

    Routine laboratory examinations including complete blood count (CBC), blood sugar, coagulation tests, renal, and hepatic functions.

  5. E)

    CT brain was accomplished for all patients at the onset of admission to the hospital to decide the characters of spontaneous ICH. The volume of the intracerebral hemorrhage was determined by utilizing the ABC/2 method: (A) is the greatest diameter on the largest ICH cut, (B) is the diameter perpendicular to A, while C is the number of axial cuts of ICH multiplied by the thickness of cuts [17, 18]. Additionally, the location ICH (regardless of whether infra or supratentorial), and if there is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or not, also, if there is a shift of midline structure or hydrocephalic changes were determined. Regarding ICH volume, patients were partitioned into two groups (< 30 cm3 and ≥ 30 cm3) [19, 20].

Statistical analysis

SPSS version 19.0 was utilized for statistical analysis. Data were collected and displayed as numbers proportions, mean ± standard deviation, and range. Favorable and unfavorable groups were compared by chi-square measurement. For variables with ordinary distributions and homogeneous variances, Student’s t test was utilized to check the significant difference between the mean ± standard deviation values in the two groups. P value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant results.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis was accomplished for the independent variables or factors that were accompanied by better outcomes: younger ages, GCS at admission, diastolic blood pressure 1 h after admission, systolic BP 6 h after admission, and systolic blood pressure 24 h after admission.

Results

One hundred and fifty patients with spontaneous ICH were studied in this work. 70.1 ± 13 year was the mean age of patients. Modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) after discharge was calculated and accordingly, patients were partitioned into two main groups: favorable outcome patients with better outcome (mRS equal 0–2; n = 70) and the second group was the unfavorable outcome with poor outcome patients (mRS equal 3–6; n = 80).

Demographic data and risk factors of ICH patients were identified in Table 1. Younger age groups were associated with higher statistically significant favorable outcomes (P = 0.000). There was no significant difference in outcome regarding sex in both groups.

Table 1 Demographic data and risk factors of ICH patients
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A higher non-significant percentage of cases had within normal renal and hepatic functions in patients with better outcomes (P = 0.31 and P = 0.16, respectively).

Regarding GCS at the onset, a GCS score of 13 to 15 was associated with higher statistically significant favorable outcomes and a GCS score of 3 to 4 was associated with higher statistically significant unfavorable outcomes (P < 0.0001). Also, there was a significantly prolonged duration of hospitalization in unfavorable outcome group of patients (P = 0.005).

The radiological findings of ICH demonstrated that an unfavorable outcome group of patients was associated with hematoma volume of ≥ 30 cm3 (P = 0.0002), then the infratentorial location of ICH (P = 0.013), followed by IVH (P = 0.019). But, the shift of midline structures and hydrocephalic changes were not accompanied by significant unfavorable outcomes (P = 0.5 and 0.77, respectively) (Table 2).

Table 2 Radiological findings and prognosis in cases of ICH
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Management of blood pressure in acute ICH patients reported in Table 3. The systolic BP at the onset of ICH was higher in the unfavorable outcome group (P = 0.009). The diastolic BP 1 h after admission to the hospital was significantly lower in the favorable outcome group (P = 0.007). Systolic BP 6 h after admission to hospital and systolic BP 24 h after admission to hospital were significantly lower in the favorable outcome group (P = 0.005 and 0.01, respectively).

Table 3 Management of blood pressure in acute ICH
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Independent factors that were significantly related to prognosis were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Table 4 demonstrate the independent factors associated with favorable prognosis at discharge from hospital, were young age (OR 2.31 95% CI 1.97–2.93 and P = 0.004), better level of consciousness at admission(OR 4.112, 95% CI 3.21–6.15, and P = 0.0001), and lower systolic BP 6 h after hospitalization (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.86–2.87 and P = 0.005), decreased volume of hematoma < 30 cm3 (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13–2.11, P = 0.05), supratentorial ICH (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.27–2.42, and P = 0.02), and absence of IVH (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13–2.11 and P = 0.02). Other factors, such as sex or hydrocephalus, and patients with IVH, showed no significant associations with clinical outcomes.

Table 4 The independent factors that were highly associated with the outcome of ICH
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Figure 2 demonstrated that the area under curve equal to 0.57 showed that the cut-off value was 135 mmHg (sensitivity was 43.9% and specificity was 73.7%).

Fig. 2
figure 2

ROC curve evaluation of systolic BP 6 h after admission and unfavorable outcome after discharge from hospital

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Spearman correlation showed a high positive significant correlation between the systolic blood pressure 6 h after admission, age, and volume of ICH with the modified Rankin Scale (r = 0.79, P < 0.01, and r = 0.86, P < 0.001 and r = 0.75, P < 0.01, respectively). But, there was a strong negative significant correlation between the GCS with the modified Rankin Scale (r = − 0.91, P < 0.001) (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Correlation of modified Rankin Scale. a Age. b Blood pressure after 6 h. c Volume of ICH. d GCS

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Discussion

Hypertension during acute spontaneous ICH is highly accompanied by hematoma enlargement, more edema surrounding the ICH, and more morbidity and mortality [21]. So, management of blood pressure has a significant role in the management of acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage [9, 22, 23].

Hemphill et al. 2015 prescribed that the systolic blood pressure in cases with spontaneous acute intracerebral hemorrhage must be brought down to < 140 mmHg at the earliest opportunity and kept controlled at this level for about 7 days [14].

In our study, the prognostic risk factors that determined the outcome at discharge were age, GCS at admission to hospital, and systolic BP 6 h after admission to hospital. Age and GCS at admission were not liable for modification while the prognostic factor that was liable for modification and agreeable to treatment mediation was systolic BP 6 h after admission to hospital.

In this manner, once ICH has been diagnosed, the antihypertensive medication must be initiated immediately [24]. The control of BP added to the regulation of cerebral blood flow and metabolism [25].

In our study, older age patients were associated with unfavorable outcomes in cases of acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (P = 0.004). These results indicated that older age patients had bad general status; bad nourishing status and disabled renal or hepatic functions were associated with poor outcomes. This was like the study of Rådholm et al. 2015 who found that older patients with acute ICH experience worse outcomes, including death and disability. Advanced age most likely was associated with several clinical factors connected to poor outcomes, such as stroke severity (high NIHSS score), hematoma qualities (like an intraventricular extension), and co-morbid medical condition [26].

In our study, the consciousness level at admission determined by GCS was the most independent variables that were significantly related to the outcome in cases of acute spontaneous ICH (OR 4.112, 95% CI 3.21–6.15 and P = 0.0001). Correspondingly, Sang Hoon Lee et al. 2015 concluded that the initial GCS score was a strong predictive factor for the prognosis of thalamic ICH [27].

There are studies reported that antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, renal, and liver impairment were associated with poor prognosis in cases of ICH. Hokari M et al. 2018 concluded that patients with ICH who were on antiplatelet and anticoagulants were more likely to have a poor prognosis [28]. Ravi Garg and José Biller 2019 who study the recent advances in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage stated that antiplatelet and anticoagulants were found to be associated with a larger volume of intracerebral hemorrhage, more incidences of hematoma enlargement, and poorer outcome [29, 30]. But, in our study, these risk factors were more marginally related (but not statistically significant) with unfavorable outcomes.

In our study, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was observed to have a significant association with unfavorable outcomes (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13–2.11, and P = 0.02). Yogi N et al. 2019 clarify that the intraventricular hemorrhage leads to CSF stream obstruction by blood clots followed by obstructive hydrocephalus and brain edema [31]. Not only the presence of IVH is important for the prognosis but also, the severity of IVH extension is important for the prognosis as concluded by Gabriela et al. 2019 who demonstrated that Graeb score ≥ 5 is an independent predictor of poor outcome at hospital discharge after spontaneous ICH [32]. The Graeb scale is a quantitative scale for IVH extension with a score ranging from 0 to 12 points and higher scores indicating increased IVH volumes.

The size of the ICH was another factor demonstrating that larger ICH volume ≥ 30 cm3 was associated with unfavorable outcomes in our study (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13–2.11, P = 0.05). Numerous researchers found that ICH volume was a very strong predictor of functional outcome and mortality [33, 34].

In our study, supratentorial ICH was found to be significantly accompanied by favorable outcomes in comparison to infratentorial ICH (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.27–2.42 and P = 0.02). Similarly, Ruiqi Chen et al. 2019 concluded that cerebellar and brain stem ICH associated with higher case fatality and poor outcomes [35]. However, a population-based study of the influence of ICH location on outcome stated that the impact of supratentorial ICH location on outcome stays hazy [36].

The multivariate logistic regression analysis was accomplished for the proper time for control of blood pressure showed that diastolic blood pressure 1 h after admission, systolic BP 6 h after admission, and systolic blood pressure 24 h after admission were accompanied by the favorable outcome. Similarly, Huan-Xin et al. 2018 concluded that high systolic or diastolic blood pressure during 24 h of ICH onset is accompanied by the 90-day neurological outcome, and the first 24-h BP plays a critical role in the neurological outcome of hemorrhagic stroke [37]. Also, the second Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in the Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial (INTERACT2) assessed the predictive value of BP variability in outcomes for ICH patients (within 6 h after symptom onset) targeting BP levels to lower than 140 mmHg. BP was measured five times during the first 24 h and twice daily until day 7 after ICH onset [38]. Moreover, the Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk Factor Assessment and Improvement studies included patients within 3 h after symptom onset with initial SBP exceeding 180 mmHg. The SBP was lowered to 120–160 mmHg [39]. In our study, the systolic blood pressure 6 h after admission was significantly lower in patients with better outcomes (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.86–2.87, and P = 0.005). So, it is very important to decrease the blood pressure within 6 h after hospitalization. Lower systolic blood pressure 24 h after admission to the hospital was significantly associated with a more favorable outcome group (P = 0.01). Consequently, intensive blood pressure control is necessary from hospital admission up to the following 24 h. In INTERACT2 study [40], a serious decrease of systolic blood pressure ≤ 140 mmHg in patients with acute spontaneous ICH did not affect the primary outcome. However, the analysis of the modified Rankin scale suggested that intensive therapy improved the outcomes.

The cut-off estimation of systolic BP 6 h after admission to the hospital was 135 mmHg. The study of Krista Lim-Hing and Fred Rincon 2017 demonstrated a tendency toward hematoma growth from baseline to 24 h in the intensive treatment group (SBP > 140 mmHg) [21].

However, our results demonstrated that BP at discharge was not associated with significant difference in the outcome (P = 0.122). Accordingly, intensive blood pressure control of at least 24 h after admission to the hospital was the most important. Stacy Chu and Lauren Sansing 2017 and Qureshi et al. 2010 mentioned that patients who had more aggressive SBP reduction in the first 24 h demonstrated patterns toward diminished hematoma expansion and better outcomes [41, 42].

Limitations

Our study had several limitations; first, it was a single-center observational study. However, our hospital is the most famous reference center in Mansoura City for critical neurological patients. The second was the inclusion and exclusion criteria that restrict the eligibility of patients. The third limitation was a relatively short observation which may underestimate or overestimate clinical benefits or loss of efficacy of management of hypertension in cases of ICH.

Conclusion

Younger ages, a better level of consciousness at admission to hospital, and lower sBP 6 h after admission to hospital were the most significant predictors of favorable outcomes in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Anti-hypertension medication must be initiated immediately after the diagnosis of ICH is confirmed to bring down the BP in the first 6 h after hospitalization.