Spontaneous Intracerebral Haemorrhage
If medical practitioners administer the wrong medication when treating a spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage, there may be grounds for a compensation claim. Contact us to find out more.
What is spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage?
Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is defined as bleeding from an arterial source into the brain. It is an uncommon but serious cause of acute stroke, associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Consequences of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage
Widespread tissue damage is recognised as a consequence of ICH. Firstly, thrombin is activated and causes acute injury to the blood-brain barrier, Secondly, inflammatory mediators and red blood cell breakdown products are released into the brain tissue. Thirdly, there will be reduced cerebral blood flow causing ischaemia (oxygen-deficiency) of the surrounding brain.
This will result in progressive neurological deterioration, with weakness on one-side of the body, slurred speech, reduced consciousness, and loss of control/movement in the face, tongue and body.
If the patient does survive, there may be some improvement in their condition in the two years following the haemorrhage. After two years their symptoms are likely to be permanent.
Treating spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage
Clinical trials of haemostatic and other treatments have so far all proved negative. Unlike arterial bleeding elsewhere in the body, the standard first aid measures of direct pressure and the application of a tourniquet cannot be used, so there is no effective treatment for ICH.
In most cases there is progression of the ICH over the first 24 hours, with gradual expansion of the haematoma as measured radiologically. All medical practitioners can do is to support the patient and hope that the bleeding stops on its own, which occurs in two ways:
- Activation of endogenous blood clotting mechanisms to bring about spontaneous thrombosis, and
- Increasing cranial pressure within the rigid skull opposing haematoma expansion
Medication to avoid
What medical practitioners must not do is provide medication that inhibits these processes. For example, dalteparin is an anticoagulant that neutralises the endogenous clotting mechanisms that help to limit ICH expansion.
Giving dalteparin will inevitably have a serious effect upon the patient's outcome. It will lead to a material contribution to the deterioration of cognitive and language functions. Furthermore, the administration of dalteparin may result in the rupture of the ICH into the ventricular system.
Expert legal advice
If you or your loved one suffered a brain haemorrhage and you believe the incident was poorly managed by doctors, please contact us today. We will advise whether there has been a case of medical negligence.
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