This meta-analysis looked at 1,523 participants with intracerebral hemorrhage. Researchers examined changes in the volume of swelling around the bleed on CT scans taken within 72 hours and again within 14 days. These patients were not treated with surgery or other therapies that could affect the swelling.
The study found a link between increased swelling and worse outcomes. Specifically, greater growth in swelling volume during the first 24 hours was associated with higher odds of death or dependence at 90 days. The same pattern held true for swelling growth measured over the first 72 hours.
The results suggest that early swelling is connected to the risk of poor outcomes. However, this study does not prove that the swelling causes the bad outcomes. It also does not report on safety issues or specific treatments. Readers should understand that this is observational data showing an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship.