Introduction: Frequency of imaging markers (FIM) has been described as a novel predictor for hematoma expansion after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A revised definition of hematoma expansion that incorporates intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) growth, that is, revised hematoma expansion (RHE), has also been proposed. Nevertheless, the associations between FIM and IVH growth or RHE remains unexplored. The objective of this study was to assess the influence and performance of the FIM on two types.
Materials and methods: Patient selection and variables were based on our published protocol. FIM was defined as the ratio of the number of imaging markers to the onset-to-neuroimaging time. The association between FIM and two definitions was tested by multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the FIM on two definitions were also evaluated.
Results: There were 303 (20.36%) and 583 (39.18%) subjects in the IVH growth and RHE, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that FIM was associated with both IVH growth and RHE (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.60-2.39; OR = 15.01, 95% CI = 10.51-21.43, respectively). The optimal cutoff points for FIM to predict IVH growth and RHE were 0.63 and 0.62, with AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 0.66, 0.50, 0.78, 0.36, and 0.86 versus 0.80, 0.60, 0.93, 0.84, and 0.78, respectively.
Discussion and conclusion: FIM was not only a predictor of IVH growth, but also of RHE. These findings may have important clinical implications for decision-making based on risk stratification of patients with ICH.
Keywords: Stroke; hematoma expansion; intracerebral hemorrhage; intraventricular hemorrhage.