Starting Antiplatelet Therapy After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Paradoxical Result

Recurrent ICH was less common with than without antiplatelet therapy.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Owing to concerns about recurrence of ICH, guidelines recommend a systolic blood pressure of <130 mm Hg for ICH survivors. Patients with a previous ICH are also sometimes advised to avoid antithrombotic therapy.

The RESTART Collaboration studied the effect of starting antiplatelet therapy or avoiding antiplatelet therapy in 537 survivors of a recent ICH (68% male; median age, 77 years; 62% lobar ICH) recruited from multiple centers in the United Kingdom. Patients were taking antithrombotic drugs at the time of the ICH. Patients were randomly assigned to start antiplatelet therapy (START group) or avoid antiplatelet therapy (AVOID group). Patients were e…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Starting Antiplatelet Therapy After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Paradoxical Result

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Reviewing Author