M Lapointe1, S Haines. 1. Department of Neurological Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, PO Box 250616, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street Suite 428, Charleston, SC 29412, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous or secondary intraventricular hemorrhage is a marker of poor prognosis for hemorrhagic stroke. It can cause hydrocephalus and require ventricular shunt placement, result in permanent neurological deficits or death. Fibrinolytic agents injected into the ventricular system could dissolve blood clots, increase the clearance of blood from the ventricles and hence improve outcome. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of thrombolytic agents administered intraventricularly in the management of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched February 2002). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, and International Pharmacy Abstracts to 2001. We handsearched several neurosurgery journals and the references list of articles identified. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised unconfounded studies comparing intraventricular fibrinolytic therapy to placebo or open control for the management of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed all identified trials. Clinically significant information related to patient population, efficacy and safety were extracted and summarized. MAIN RESULTS: A total of ten studies were identified by our search strategy. Eight of them were excluded because of case series designs or retrospective control group. One quasi-randomised trial used alternate allocation and was excluded. Only one report met the review criteria for randomization. The randomised trial reported good outcome but has important design flaws resulting in a biased control group and therefore was excluded. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that the intraventricular administration of fibrinolytic agents in intraventricular hemorrhage maybe of therapeutic value and safe. Thus far, there are no randomised trials of sufficient size and quality to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this treatment modality.
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous or secondary intraventricular hemorrhage is a marker of poor prognosis for hemorrhagic stroke. It can cause hydrocephalus and require ventricular shunt placement, result in permanent neurological deficits or death. Fibrinolytic agents injected into the ventricular system could dissolve blood clots, increase the clearance of blood from the ventricles and hence improve outcome. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of thrombolytic agents administered intraventricularly in the management of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched February 2002). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, and International Pharmacy Abstracts to 2001. We handsearched several neurosurgery journals and the references list of articles identified. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised unconfounded studies comparing intraventricular fibrinolytic therapy to placebo or open control for the management of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed all identified trials. Clinically significant information related to patient population, efficacy and safety were extracted and summarized. MAIN RESULTS: A total of ten studies were identified by our search strategy. Eight of them were excluded because of case series designs or retrospective control group. One quasi-randomised trial used alternate allocation and was excluded. Only one report met the review criteria for randomization. The randomised trial reported good outcome but has important design flaws resulting in a biased control group and therefore was excluded. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that the intraventricular administration of fibrinolytic agents in intraventricular hemorrhage maybe of therapeutic value and safe. Thus far, there are no randomised trials of sufficient size and quality to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this treatment modality.
Authors: N J Naff; J R Carhuapoma; M A Williams; A Bhardwaj; J A Ulatowski; J Bederson; R Bullock; E Schmutzhard; B Pfausler; P M Keyl; S Tuhrim; D F Hanley Journal: Stroke Date: 2000-04 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Neal Naff; Michael A Williams; Penelope M Keyl; Stanley Tuhrim; M Ross Bullock; Stephan A Mayer; William Coplin; Raj Narayan; Stephen Haines; Salvador Cruz-Flores; Mario Zuccarello; David Brock; Issam Awad; Wendy C Ziai; Anthony Marmarou; Denise Rhoney; Nichol McBee; Karen Lane; Daniel F Hanley Journal: Stroke Date: 2011-08-25 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Lewis B Morgenstern; J Claude Hemphill; Craig Anderson; Kyra Becker; Joseph P Broderick; E Sander Connolly; Steven M Greenberg; James N Huang; R Loch MacDonald; Steven R Messé; Pamela H Mitchell; Magdy Selim; Rafael J Tamargo Journal: Stroke Date: 2010-07-22 Impact factor: 7.914