Calibrated automated thrombography for monitoring coagulation function in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage

Abstract

Objective To monitor coagulation function in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) using calibrated automated thrombography. Methods Patients admitted to hospital with ICH (confirmed within 18 h of symptom onset) were enrolled. Patient history and blood samples were obtained within 6 h of admission; further blood samples were collected on days 4, 8 and 15 (or on discharge between days 9–15: grouped with day 15 data). Blood samples were also collected from age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All samples underwent calibrated automated thrombography. Results At admission, thrombin lag time and time to peak was longer, and endogenous thrombin potential and peak height were lower, in patients with ICH ( n = 20) than in healthy controls ( n = 29). Lag time in patients with ICH gradually decreased, but remained significantly longer than in controls until day 8. Time to peak also gradually decreased, but remained longer in patients than in controls by day 15. Endogenous thrombin potential and peak height gradually increased in patients, but remained lower than in controls on day 15. Conclusions Patients with ICH have poorer coagulation function than healthy individuals, but this function gradually recovers during hospitalization.