Reduction of Edema With a Specialized Cocktail for Ultra-early Management in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Overview

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe stroke subtype with high mortality and disability rates, often worsened by perihematomal edema (PHE), which increases intracranial pressure and leads to poor outcomes. Preclinical studies suggest that a pharmacological cocktail (PPA) may help reduce cerebral edema by modulating potassium balance, preserving aquaporin-4 expression, and enhancing lymphatic drainage. This multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PPA in ICH patients. A total of 58 patients with supratentorial ICH (≥3 mL hematoma volume) who are not undergoing surgical evacuation will be randomized to receive either PPA therapy or standard treatment. The primary outcome is the change in cerebral edema volume at 5-7 days, assessed by CT imaging. Secondary outcomes include 90-day functional outcomes (mRS), need for decompressive craniectomy, and safety assessments. This study seeks to explore PPA as a potential treatment strategy for cerebral edema in ICH patients.

Detailed description

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe subtype of stroke, accounting for 15-20% of all strokes. Compared to ischemic stroke, ICH has a higher mortality and disability rate, with its incidence steadily rising worldwide, imposing a substantial burden on families and healthcare systems. A key factor contributing to poor prognosis in ICH is perihematomal edema (PHE), which rapidly progresses during the acute phase, leading to increased intracranial pressure (ICP), brain tissue displacement, and potential brain herniation. Even in patients who survive the acute phase, persistent cerebral edema can cause long-term neurological deficits and impair quality of life. Therefore, effective management of cerebral edema is critical for improving outcomes in ICH patients.

Preclinical studies suggest that a pharmacological cocktail (PPA), consisting of adrenergic antagonists, may help reduce cerebral edema by modulating extracellular potassium homeostasis, maintaining aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) expression, and enhancing lymphatic drainage. In both traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke models, PPA has shown potential in alleviating cerebral edema and improving neurological recovery. Based on these findings, this multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PPA in reducing cerebral edema in ICH patients.

The study will enroll 58 patients diagnosed with supratentorial ICH (≥3 mL hematoma volume) who are not undergoing surgical evacuation. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive PPA therapy or standard treatment. The primary outcome is change in cerebral edema volume at 5-7 days, assessed by CT imaging. Secondary outcomes include functional outcomes at 90 days (mRS), need for decompressive craniectomy, incidence of hypotension, and adverse events. This study aims to explore PPA as a novel pharmacological approach for managing cerebral edema in ICH, potentially improving patient prognosis and clinical outcomes.

Interventions

• Drug PPA Intervention
  Participants in this group will receive a pharmacological cocktail (PPA) for five days in addition to standard medical treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The regimen includes terazosin or urapidil, and propranolol or esmolol, with individualized blood pressure management. The specific protocol is as follows: * Terazosin (no less than 1 mg orally or via nasogastric tube, nightly) or Urapidil (100 mg in 30 mL saline, IV infusion at no less than 2 mL/h) * Propranolol (10 mg orally or via nasogas

Primary outcome measures

• Change in Cerebral Edema Volume at 5-7 Days [Time frame: Baseline and 5-7 days post-treatment]

Secondary outcome measures (6)

• 90-Day Functional Outcome (Modified Rankin Scale, mRS) [Time frame: 90 days post-treatment]
• Incidence of Hypotension During the Treatment Period [Time frame: Time Frame: During the 5-day treatment period]
• Change in Hematoma Volume [Time frame: 5-7 days post-treatment]
• Need for Decompressive Craniectomy [Time frame: Up to 7 days]
• Mortality at 90 Days [Time frame: 90 days post-treatment]
• Incidence of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) [Time frame: Up to 90 days post-treatment]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years
• Clinical diagnosis of supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)
• Symptom onset within 3 days (≤72 hours) before randomization
• Baseline CT-confirmed hematoma volume ≥3 mL
• Not scheduled for hematoma evacuation surgery (either not indicated or declined by the patient/family)
• Written informed consent obtained from the patient or legally authorized representative

Exclusion criteria

• Baseline brain herniation or severe hypotension (SBP <90 mmHg)
• Contraindications to PPA medications (terazosin, urapidil, esmolol, propranolol), such as asthma or severe bradycardia
• Severe comorbidities that may interfere with efficacy assessment or pose a high safety risk (e.g., end-stage organ failure, advanced malignancy)
• Presence of secondary causes of ICH (e.g., arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm rupture, hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke)
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Participation in another interventional trial that may influence study outcomes

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Single blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06863558 · RESCUE-ICH

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗