TREATMENT OF SEVERE INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE BY INTRAVENTRICULAR INFUSION OF UROKINASE

During the last three years, seven patients with severe intraventricul ar hemorrhage admitted to our clinic were treated with direct intraven tricular infusion of urokinase. In each case, hemorrhage extended into the entire ventricular cavity and cast formation as well as an expans ion of third and fourth ventricles were found. On the average, both th e third and fourth ventricles became clear on the third day and the la teral ventricle on the ninth day after hemorrhage. Five of the seven p atients showed good recovery or only moderate disability, and two died . Infection, convulsion, rebleeding, and peripheral or secondary hemor rhage due to the side effects of urokinase was not encountered during therapy. We conclude that this procedure can be applied effectively an d safely in severe intraventricular hemorrhage.