The association between hypertension and traumatic intracranial haemorrhage.

Background: Control of blood pressure is considered essential in the management of trauma patients. In patients with head injuries, both hypotension and hypertension are associated with poor outcomes. The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether hypertension at emergency triage is associated with traumatic intracranial haemorrhage.

Methods: From September 2012 to August 2013, data were collected prospectively for patients who presented with head injury and who received a brain CT examination at a university hospital. Factors associated with intracranial haemorrhage were identified, and logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between hypertension at emergency department triage and traumatic brain haemorrhage.

Results: Of a total of 1457 patients enrolled in this study, 252 (17.3%) experienced traumatic intracranial haemorrhage. After controlling for factors associated with traumatic intracranial haemorrhage, an increased risk of intracranial haemorrhage following an initial brain CT scan was identified for patients presenting initially with a systolic blood pressure ≥ 180 mm Hg (odds ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.71, compared with those with 90-139 mm Hg).

Conclusion: The presence of hypertension at emergency triage is associated with traumatic intracranial haemorrhage.