Respiratory and Blood Stream Infections are Associated with Subsequent Venous Thromboembolism After Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background Infection and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are associated with worse outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The relationship between infection and VTE in ICH patients is unclear. We hypothesized that infection would be associated with subsequent VTE after ICH. Methods We retrospectively studied consecutively admitted spontaneous primary ICH patients from 2009 to 2018 surviving beyond 24 h. The primary predictor variable was infection, diagnosed prior to VTE. The primary outcome was VTE. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95% CI) for VTE risk after infection of any type, after adjusting for ICH score, length of stay and days to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis. Similar analysis was done to estimate the association of infection subtypes, including respiratory and urinary and blood stream infections (BSI) with VTE. Results There were 414 patients (mean age 65 years, 47% female) that met were analyzed. Infection was diagnosed in 181 (44%) patients. Incident VTE was diagnosed in 36 (9%) patients, largely comprised of DVT ( n = 32; 89%). Infection overall was associated with increased risk of subsequent VTE (adjusted OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.6–12.6). Respiratory (adjusted OR 5.7, 95% CI 2.8–11.7) and BSI (adjusted OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.3–11.0) were associated with future VTE. Urinary and other infections were not associated with subsequent VTE. Conclusions Infections are associated with subsequent risk of VTE among patients with ICH. Further investigation is required to elucidate mechanisms behind this association and to improve VTE prevention after ICH.