International Care Bundle Evaluation in Cerebral Hemorrhage Research - a Batched Parallel Cluster-randomized Trial With a Baseline Period
Region Skane
Summary
Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) accounts for approximately 10-15% of all strokes but stands for 50% of stroke-related morbidity and mortality. Approximately half of all patients with ICH have a decreased level of consciousness at hospital admission. Despite this, intensive care and neurosurgical interventions are uncommon. A study conducted in low- and middle-income countries has demonstrated a beneficial effect of a treatment package consisting of early intensive blood pressure lowering, as well as the treatment of pyrexia and elevated blood glucose levels. The I-CATCHER team is now planning to conduct a similar study in Sweden and Australia, as well as in other high-income countries. The study has a clear focus on implementation, aiming to improve treatment and prognosis for patients with ICH within a few years. The purpose of I-CATCHER is to investigate whether a structured treatment package (Care Bundle) improves 3-month prognosis in patients with spontaneous ICH compared to standard care.
Description
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10 to 15% of all strokes in high-income countries (HIC), and nearly twice this number in low-income to upper-middle-income countries (LMIC) (29.5%). It is the most devastating type of stroke given the high one-month case fatality of approximately 30-40%, and only 12-39% suffer persistent disability. Despite several advances in the management of acute ischemic stroke supported by numerous randomized controlled trials (RCT), progress in establishing novel interventions to improve outcomes for ICH has been slow. Still today, the diagnosis o…