[Intracranial hemorrhages: epidemiology and implication of antithrombotic therapy].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is an antithrombotic treatment complication. Our study's goal is to assess the proportion of ICH occurring while the patient is on antithrombotic treatment. The secondary goal is to assess the proportion of "avoidable" ICH (anticoagulant overdosage, debatables indications).

METHODS:

We conducted a descriptive epidemiological single-center study of ICH during 2 years. We analyzed the type of ICH, the type of antithrombotic treatment, the level of anticoagulation and the relevance of antithrombotic treatment indication.

RESULTS:

Of the 400 patients admitted for an ICH, 131 (33%) were treated by antithrombotic therapy: oral anti-vitamin K anticoagulants (VKA) in 14.1% of cases and antiplatelet agents in 15.1%. Of VKA patients, overdosage rate was 30.2%. The indication of antithrombotic therapy was debatable in 18.3% of cases.

CONCLUSION:

Our study highlights the frequency of ICH occurring on antithrombotic therapy and the significant proportion of "avoidable" ICH.

• Authors: Jérôme Varvat, Magali Epinat, Christophe Nuti, Jean-Christophe Antoine, Patrick Mismetti, Pierre Garnier
• Journal: Therapie (Therapie) 2013 May-Jun Vol. 68 Issue 3 Pg. 143-7 ISSN: 0040-5957 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Hémorragies intracrâniennes : épidémiologie et implication des traitements antithrombotiques.
• PMID: 23886458 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2013 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
• Vitamin K

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anticoagulants (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Comorbidity
• Drug Overdose
• Female
• Humans
• Intracranial Hemorrhages (chemically induced, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Thrombophilia (drug therapy)
• Vitamin K (antagonists & inhibitors)