In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and hematoma expansion (HE) in acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage (AHCH) (HE-in-AHCH). Patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, confirmed by head computed tomography (CT) within 12 h of onset, were prospectively collected. Venous blood was sampled within 4 h of the confirmation to determine the serum MMP-9 concentration. The blood pressure and National Institute of Health Stroke Score of the patients were recorded on hospital admission. CT re-scanning was performed within 42-54 h of the first head CT examination or immediately after worsening of the patients' consciousness disorder. The relationship between MMP-9 level and HE was analyzed. A total of 186 patients were included. Of these patients, 41 had HE (22.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, in addition to the short interval between onset and the first CT examination, and the irregularity of hematoma shape, increasing MMP-9 level was an independent risk factor for HE-in-AHCH (OR value = 15.65, 95% CI: 5.30-46.15). Moreover, increasing plasma MMP-9 level was identified as an independent risk factor in patients with HE-in-AHCH.
Keywords: hematoma expansion; hypertensive; intracranial hemorrhage; matrix metalloproteinase-9.