36^th European Heart and Heart Failure Congress

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when a diseased blood vessel within the brain bursts, allowing blood to leak inside the brain. (The name means within the cerebrum or brain). The sudden increase in pressure within the brain can cause damage to the brain cells surrounding the blood. If the amount of blood increases rapidly, the sudden buildup in pressure can lead to unconsciousness or death. Intracerebral hemorrhage usually occurs in selected parts of the brain, including the basal ganglia, cerebellum, brain stem, or cortex. An intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) account for only 15% of all strokes but it is one of the most disabling forms of stroke. Greater than one third of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) will not survive and only twenty percent of patients will regain functional independence. This high rate of morbidity and mortality has prompted investigations for new medical and surgical therapies for intracerebral hemorrhage.