Fever is a common event in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and is associated with an increased length of ICU stay, cognitive impairment, and poor outcome.
While much of the management (and controversies) of the patient with ICH focuses on blood pressure control and reversal of oral anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, don't forget about temperature control.
Aggressively treat temperatures ≥ 38.3oC in patients with an ICH.
Importantly, there is currently insufficient evidence to support a superior method of fever control (antipyretics or surface/intravascular cooling devices).
References
Flower O, Smith M. The acute management of intracerebral hemorrhage. CurrOpinCrit Care 2011; 17:106-14.
