Background and Purpose300 mg/dL), predicted symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke rtPA trial. We retrospectively studied stroke patients treated <3 hours from onset with intravenous rtPA at 2 institutions to evaluate the role of these variables in predicting ICH.Methods33% middle cerebral artery territory hypodensity]), were reviewed in 138 consecutive patients. Variables were evaluated by logistic regression as predictors of all hemorrhage (including hemorrhagic transformation) and symptomatic hemorrhage on follow-up CT scan. Variables significant at P<0.25 level were included in a multivariate analysis. Diabetes was substituted for glucose in a repeat analysis.Results11.1 mmol/L was associated with a 25% symptomatic hemorrhage rate. Baseline NIHSS (5-point increments) was an independent predictor of all hemorrhage only [OR, 12.42 (CI, 1.64 to 94.3), P=0.01]. Univariate analysis demonstrated a trend for nonsmoking as a predictor of all hemorrhage [OR, 0.45 (CI, 0.19 to 1.08), P=0.07]. Diabetes was also an independent predictor of ICH when substituted for glucose in repeat analysis.ConclusionsSerum glucose and diabetes were predictors of ICH in rtPA-treated patients. This novel association requires confirmation in a larger cohort. (Stroke. 1999;30:34-39.)