Introduction
Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a life-threatening condition affecting approximately 2 million people annually (Krishnamurthi et al., 2013). Haemorrhage volume is a critical prognostic factor, but its influence on the choice between surgical and conservative treatment remains unclear (Chen et al., 2021).
Methods
Exploratory data analysis (EDA) was conducted on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and citation chasing. Descriptive statistics, graphical representations, and regression models were used to evaluate haemorrhage volume thresholds influencing treatment efficacy. Given the heterogeneity in study designs and outcome definitions, findings were interpreted within each study’s framework.
Results
A breakpoint of 56.74 mL was identified for surgical intervention, indicating reduced efficacy beyond this volume (R²=0.549, adjusted R²=0.399). Conservative management showed a breakpoint of 8.62 mL, with diminished efficacy at higher volumes (R²=0.467, adjusted R²=0.289). Predictors in both models were nonsignificant (p>0.05). Contradictory studies report thresholds for surgical efficacy ranging from 12 to 60 mL, highlighting variability in findings.
Conclusions
This study suggests haemorrhage volume thresholds that may guide treatment decisions for ICH. However, small sample size, heterogeneity in outcome measures, and the absence of individual patient data limit the statistical robustness of these findings. Standardized RCTs are essential to confirm these trends and support clinical decision-making.
Authors
Jhanvi Thakur
University of Buckingham, Buckingham, United Kingdom
Conor Boylan
Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom