Intraventricular hemorrhage in adults: complications and treatment.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) frequently occurs in the setting of intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and is an independent and significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in both conditions. Present therapy of IVH is directed at treating the associated complications of obstructive and communicating hydrocephalus. These therapies are often inadequate to treat the complications and do not remedy the underlying IVH. Intraventricular thrombolysis is a promising but unproven new therapy that directly addresses the IVH and may reduce the incidence of obstructive and communicating hydrocephalus.