Optimization of the Management of Non-Traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage (OPT-ICH)

This study, called OPT-ICH, is all about improving how we look after people who have a specific type of stroke. This stroke is called an 'intracerebral haemorrhage' (ICH), which means there's bleeding inside the brain. It's a very serious condition, accounting for a significant number of all strokes. Sadly, many people don't survive, and those who do often face long-term health challenges or disabilities, such as problems with movement, memory, or even developing conditions like epilepsy or dementia.

Good news is, doctors believe that if patients get the right care really quickly from expert staff in specialised units, their chances of recovery can improve. This study aims to check how patients with ICH are currently being cared for at a French hospital and then see if a new, structured approach to their treatment, introduced early on, can make a real difference. They want to find out if this improved care can lead to fewer deaths and less disability, both in the short term and over several years.

To do this, the study has two main parts. First, they will look back at the records of patients treated between 2018 and 2021 to see how things were done previously. Second, they will observe new patients who come into the hospital with an ICH. These new patients will receive care following a detailed plan. This plan includes things like getting urgent brain scans, being admitted to a special unit, receiving quick medication to control blood pressure or reverse blood thinners, and having regular check-ups and follow-up scans over several months and years to see how they are recovering.