A STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF INTRAVENTRICULAR UROKINASE IN THE TREATMENT OF INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE

Twenty-one patients with intraventricular haemorrhage were randomized to two treatment groups. Both groups had bilateral external ventricula r drains inserted, but only the treatment group received 50,000 IU uro kinase instilled into the ventricles. The clinical and radiological pr ogress, and 1-and 6-month outcomes were compared. The group that recei ved urokinase treatment was shown to have an improved outcome, with a lower mortality and a lower incidence of hydrocephalus requiring shunt insertion. No haemorrhagic complications were seen in either group, a lthough the treatment group had a slightly increased rate of drain-rel ated ventriculitis.