Hematoma Expansion following Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Mechanisms Targeting the Coagulation Cascade and Platelet Activation.

Hematoma Expansion following Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Mechanisms Targeting the Coagulation Cascade and Platelet Activation. Curr Drug Targets. 2017 Mar 29;: Authors: Burchell SR, Tang J, Zhang JH Abstract Hematoma expansion (HE), defined as a greater than 33% increase in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume within the first 24 hours, results in significant neurological deficits, and enhancement of ICH-induced primary and secondary brain injury. An escalation in the use of oral anticoagulants has led to a surge in the incidences of oral anticoagulation-associated ICH (OAT-ICH), which has been associated with a greater risk for HE and worse functional outcomes following ICH. The oral anticoagulants in use include vitamin K antagonists, and direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors. Fibrinolytic agents are also frequently administered. These all act via differing mechanisms and thus have varying degrees of impact on HE and ICH outcome. Additionally, antiplatelet medications have also been increasingly prescribed, and result in increased bleeding risks and worse outcomes after ICH. Aspirin, thienopyridines, and GPIIb/IIIa receptor blockers are some of the most common agents in use clinically, and also have different effects on ICH and hemorrhage growth, based on their mechanisms of action. Recent studies have found that reduced platelet activity may be more effective in predicting ICH risk, hemorrhage expansion, and outcomes, than antip...
Source: Current Drug Targets - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Curr Drug Targets Source Type: research