Intracerebral hemorrhage during anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists: a consecutive observational study

J Neurol. 2013 Aug;260(8):2046-51. doi: 10.1007/s00415-013-6939-6. Epub 2013 May 5.

Abstract

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most devastating complication of oral anticoagulation (OAC). As the number of patients on long-term OAC is expected to rise, the proportion of intracerebral hemorrhage related to OAC (OAC-ICH) in relation to spontaneous ICH (spont-ICH) is expected to increase as well. We determined the proportion of OAC-ICH in consecutive stroke patients and explored differences between OAC-ICH and spont-ICH regarding initial volume, hematoma expansion and outcome. Our prospective study consecutively enrolled patients with supra- and infratentorial ICH. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Score and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at baseline and after 3 months, medical history and demographic variables were recorded. All admission and follow-up CTs/MRIs were analysed regarding ICH volume using the ABC/2-method. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was quantified using the Graeb score. Within 19 months, 2,282 patients were admitted to our ER. 206 ICH patients were included. Overall, 24.8 % of all ICH were related to OAC. Compared to patients with spont-ICH, OAC-ICH patients were older (p = 0.001), more frequently had initial extension of ICH into the ventricles (p = 0.05) or isolated primary IVH (p = 0.03) and a higher Graeb score upon admission (p = 0.01). In contrast, initial ICH volume (p = 0.16) and ICH expansion (p = 0.9) in those receiving follow-up imaging (n = 152) did not differ between the two groups. After correction for age, there was a trend towards poorer outcome in OAC-ICH (p = 0.08). One-fourth of all ICH are related to OAC. Initial extension of ICH into the ventricles and primary IVH are more frequent in OAC-ICH. The rate of hematoma expansion in OAC-ICH patients is similar to non-anticoagulated ICH patients.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Anticoagulants / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / epidemiology*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin K / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Warfarin / adverse effects

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Vitamin K
  • Warfarin