Grant: Project Grant

Hemorrhagic strokes happen when weakened blood vessels rupture and cause bleeding into the brain. Patients with recent hemorrhagic stroke are at high risk for clot formation. These clots can cause damage to organs, such as in the case of heart attacks. Due to their risk of bleeding, patients with hemorrhagic stroke often have their blood thinners stopped and never restarted. This further increases their risk of clotting. An alternative treatment option is needed that can reduce the risk of clotting without increasing the risk of another bleed. Colchicine is a drug that has been used for more than 50 years in various medical conditions. It is well tolerated and safe. Recently colchicine was found to reduce clotting by reducing inflammation, in a manner that does not increase bleeding. These properties make colchicine an attractive drug for patients with hemorrhagic stroke. We are hoping to test whether colchicine can reduce the risk of clotting without increasing the risk of re-bleeding in patients with hemorrhagic stroke. A very large study at many hospitals is needed to answer this question. We are starting with a smaller study to gain information on whether it is possible to perform a larger definitive one, and if so, how best to plan for it. We will study 100 patients with a hemorrhagic stroke within 48 hours. These patients will be assigned randomly (like flipping a coin) to either receive a daily low-dose of colchicine or a daily dose of placebo. All patients will be followed for at least 6 months. We will monitor how many patients are included in the study per year at each hospital and how many continue treatment for the duration of the study. We will also monitor patients for new clotting events, bleeding in the brain and deaths, amongst other clinical outcomes. These results will provide important information to plan our larger study with the goal of reducing heart disease and stroke in this vulnerable population.