Association of red cell distribution width and D-dimer levels with intracranial hemorrhage in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Background: Patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) are at risk of developing intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Considering the association between ICH and a poor outcome, identifying risk factors for ICH in patients with CVT is of great importance.
Methods: In this observational, retrospective, and double-center research over 3 years at Tongji and Union Hospital, red cell distribution width (RDW) and D-dimer levels were assessed in 117 adult patients with a diagnosis of CVT. Demographics, clinical presentation, imaging evaluation, laboratory results, and outcomes were analyzed.
Results: In univariate analysis, RDW (odds ratio [OR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.09-1.55, P < 0.001) and D-dimer (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13-1.59, P = 0.01) levels were associated with the risk of ICH in patients with CVT. In multivariate analysis, RDW (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09-1.58, P < 0.001) and D-dimer (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.1-1.6, P < 0.001) levels were independently associated with the risk of ICH in patients with CVT after correction for time of onset and white blood cell count.
Conclusion: Elevated RDW and D-dimer levels were associated with an increased risk of ICH in patients with CVT. Further research should be undertaken to investigate their value in predicting CVT-related ICH.
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