Oral Anticoagulant-Related Hemorrhage: Improving Management of a Risky Condition

Reversal of anticoagulation within 4 hours, systolic blood pressure ≤160 mm Hg, and resumption of anticoagulants are associated with better outcomes.

Use of oral anticoagulant medication (OAC) is expected to increase substantially in the next decades due to the large burden of atrial fibrillation in an aging population. As a complication of OAC use, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can be devastating, with rates of morbidity and mortality exceeding 60%. Practical advice on improving the management of patients with OAC-related ICH is welcome. Using data on 1176 patients with OAC-related ICH from 19 tertiary centers in Germany (mean age, 74; men, 59%), researchers examined factors associated with hematoma enlargement (analyzed in 853 patients) and outcomes after OAC resumption.

Two factors associated with significantly lower odds of hematoma enlargement (volume increase on brain imaging, >33%…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Oral Anticoagulant-Related Hemorrhage: Improving Management of a Risky Condition

Topics

Reviewing Author