Lumbar Drainage of Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HEIDELBERG · Jul 18, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment approach for patients who have experienced a specific type of brain bleeding called intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which can lead to dangerous swelling of the brain. The researchers want to find out if adding a procedure called lumbar drainage (which involves placing a drain in the lower back to help remove excess blood) to the standard treatment of an external ventricular drain (EVD) improves patient outcomes. The hope is that this combined approach can help patients recover better and possibly reduce the need for a more permanent solution like a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt.

To participate in this trial, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have IVH with bleeding in certain parts of the brain, and be able to have the lumbar drain placed within 72 hours of their symptoms starting. It's important to note that those who have serious pre-existing health issues, are pregnant, or have a very limited life expectancy may not be eligible. Participants can expect to be closely monitored during the trial, and their progress will help researchers understand the benefits of this new approach to treatment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ICH with IVH (with hemorrhage in the 3rd and/or 4rth ventricle) with the need for EVD placement due to acute hydrocephalus
• • Age ≥ 18 y
• • Lumbar drain can be inserted within 72 h after symptom onset or patient last seen well
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Premorbid mRS score \> 2
• • Pregnancy
• • Life expectancy \<6 months
• • Patient/family/caregiver unwilling or unlikely to opt for at least two weeks of aggressive therapy prior to consideration of transition to comfort measures/discontinuation of life support measures.
• • Treating physicians deeming the prognosis as so grave that an aggressive therapy is not warranted.
• • Other clear contraindication for treatment with a lumbar drain