A simpler way to prevent stroke after brain haemorrhage

The problem

An intracerebral haemorrhage is a type of stroke caused by bleeding inside the brain. People who have experienced this type of stroke are at increased risk of having another stroke. Controlling blood pressure can reduce this risk; however, treatment may require the use of several medications.

What the researchers did

Researchers investigated whether combining three blood-pressure-lowering medications into a single daily pill could help prevent further strokes in people who had previously experienced an intracerebral haemorrhage.

The TRIDENT trial involved 1,670 people who had experienced an intracerebral haemorrhage. Participants were randomly assigned to either continue taking the combination pill or receive a placebo. Researchers monitored participants for a median of 2.5 years, comparing the number of recurrent strokes and other cardiovascular events between the groups.

What they found

Fewer people taking the combination pill experienced another stroke compared with those receiving the placebo. A recurrent stroke occurred in 4.6% of participants taking the combination pill, compared with 7.4% receiving the placebo.

The combination treatment also resulted in lower blood pressure and fewer major cardiovascular events. However, some participants stopped taking the treatment because of side effects, highlighting the importance of considering both the benefits and potential risks of treatment.

Why this research matters

These findings suggest that combining three blood-pressure medications into a single pill could provide a simpler approach to blood-pressure control and reduce the risk of another stroke following an intracerebral haemorrhage.

This research could help inform future approaches to stroke prevention and improve long-term outcomes for people who have experienced a brain haemorrhage.