Stroke
Changing Policy and Practice
Professor Craig Anderson from University of New South Wales, Australia, is using this award to help change the way acute stroke from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is managed globally.

Patients who experience an acute stroke from intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) have not been managed with the same urgency and level of coordinated care as patients with the more common acute ischaemic stroke, that arises from blockage of a blood vessel in the brain.
So far, there has been no proven treatment for ICH, so clinicians have often had little confidence in therapies, and often have had to implement end-of-life care for these patients.
Professor Craig Anderson undertook research into ICH - the third Intensive Care Bundle with Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trial (INTERACT3). This was a landmark clinical trial involving over 7000 patients with ICH at 122 hospitals in 10 countries, including 9 of low- and middle-income classification where there are high rates of ICH.
The trial showed that care involving time-based and target-based metrics for elevated blood pressure and other abnormal physiological parameters, and the early reversal of ‘blood thinners’ or anticoagulation, can substantially improve the chances of patients surviving free of disability after suffering an ICH.
INTERACT3 provided reliable evidence that ICH is a treatable condition. This grant will support education, training, and quality improvement initiatives to accelerate the implementation of active care protocols for ICH.
-
What is an intracerebral haemorrhage?
An intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a subtype of stroke.
It involves bleeding in the brain caused by the rupture of a damaged blood vessel in the head.
As the amount of blood increases, the build-up of pressure can lead to brain damage, unconsciousness or even death.
Risk factors for ICH can include:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Certain medication
- Previous strokes
- Being African-American or Hispanic