Prior antiplatelet therapy is not associated with larger hematoma volume or hematoma growth in intracerebral hemorrhage

Hematoma volume (HV) and hematoma growth (HG) predict mortality and poor outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). While the influence of oral anticoagulation on HV, HG and outcome is well established, the effect of prior antiplatelet therapy (APT) remains uncertain. We retrospectively examined data from all patients with acute, primary ICH, and baseline head CT admitted to our department between January 2005 and February 2014. HV were calculated by ABC/2 method. HG was defined as present if HV increased between baseline and follow-up CT ≥ 30% or ≥ 6 mL. We analyzed the influence of APT on HV, HG, and in-hospital mortality using univariate and multivariate analyses. In addition, we used propensity score matching to assess differences in in-hospital mortality rates. From 668 screened patients, 343 had primary ICH and fulfilled all inclusion criteria. APT was present in 99 patients (29%). Baseline median HV was 16 mL (IQR 6–46). HG occurred in 44 of 160 patients with follow-up CT (28%). In-hospital mortality was 10% (n = 36). APT was associated with older age, a mRS score before admission (pre-mRS) of > 2, and presence of cardiovascular comorbidities. We did not find an association between APT and larger baseline HV (p = 0.32), or HG (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.9). After propensity score matching for age, pre-mRS, gender, and cardiovascular comorbidities, APT was not associated with higher in-hospital mortality (OR 1.90, 95% CI 0.85–4.24, p = 0.117). This study did not show a higher risk for larger HV, HG, or in-hospital mortality in primary ICH patients with APT.