[Incidence and prognosis of internal medicine complications in spontaneous intracranial hematomas].

The records of 133 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage were reviewed to assess the frequency of systemic complications and their influence on outcome and neurological complications. The mean age of 63 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was 11 years higher compared to 70 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Concomitant disease was more frequent in ICH than in SAH, and general atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiac failure were associated with an increased mortality. 94% of all ICH and 79% of all SAH patients developed at least one systemic complication. A correlation was found between initial and late hyperglycemia, and high mortality rate and poor survival quality. In both groups an association of cardiac arrhythmias with intracranial pressure and an unfavourable outcome were observed. SAH patients with QT-prolongation had an increase in mortality and developed ischemic deficits more frequently. Pulmonary complications and disturbances of blood pressure regulation were associated with an unfavourable outcome, and in SAH patients with occurrence of neurologic complications.