ESOC 2022 | Intraventricular fibrinolysis improves functional outcomes in patients with IVH

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is an important therapeutic target in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), occurring in as many as 40% of patients. Joji B. Kuramatsu, MD, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany, discusses the findings of an individual participant data meta-analysis investigating the influence of intraventricular fibrinolysis on functional outcomes in this patient population. Over 1500 patients were recruited from randomized trials and observational studies. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients with acute hydrocephalus caused by intracerebral and/or intraventricular hemorrhage receiving intraventricular fibrinolysis or standard of care. Intraventricular fibrinolysis was shown to significantly improve functional outcomes at 6 months compared to standard of care therapy, most notably in patients treated within the early time window of less than 48 hours. This interview took place at European Stroke Organisation Conference 2022 in Lyon, France.