Publication Date
4-1-2024
Journal
Stroke
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The dynamics of blood clot (combination of Hb [hemoglobin], fibrin, and a higher concentration of aggregated red blood cells) formation within the hematoma of an intracerebral hemorrhage is not well understood. A quantitative neuroimaging method of localized coagulated blood volume/distribution within the hematoma might improve clinical decision-making.
METHODS: The deoxyhemoglobin of aggregated red blood cells within extravasated blood exhibits a higher magnetic susceptibility due to unpaired heme iron electrons. We propose that coagulated blood, with higher aggregated red blood cell content, will exhibit (1) a higher positive susceptibility than noncoagulated blood and (2) increase in fibrin polymerization-restricted localized diffusion, which can be measured noninvasively using quantitative susceptibility mapping and diffusion tensor imaging. In this serial magnetic resonance imaging study, we enrolled 24 patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage between October 2021 to May 2022 at a stroke center. Patients were 30 to 70 years of age and had a hematoma volume >15 cm
RESULTS: Using a coagulated blood phantom, we demonstrated a linear relationship between the percentage coagulation and susceptibility (R
CONCLUSIONS: This quantitative neuroimaging study of coagulation within the hematoma has the potential to improve patient management, such as safe resumption of anticoagulants, the need for reversal agents, the administration of alteplase to resolve the clot, and the need for surgery.
Keywords
Humans, Hemorrhagic Stroke, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Stroke, Cerebral Hemorrhage, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Hematoma, Blood Coagulation, Hemoglobins, Fibrin
Included in
Cardiology Commons, Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, Critical Care Commons, Hematology Commons, Radiology Commons