Intracerebral Hemorrhage Formation Under Direct Oral Anticoagulants

5-year stroke rates in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation after watchman compared to direct oral anticoagulants

BACKGROUND

The WATCHMAN device (Boston Scientific; Marlborough, MA, USA) is noninferior to warfarin in preventing ischemic strokes while reducing bleeding risks associated with long term anticoagulation in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). The device's performance compared to direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is less well known.

OBJECTIVE

To compare 5-year major bleeding and ischemic stroke rates in patients with nonvalvular AFib who received a WATCHMAN device or DOAC therapy after a major bleeding event.

METHODS

This retrospective, multicenter, 1:1 matched cohort study was derived from the PearlDiver Mariner database from 2010 to 2020. Patients with nonvalvular AFib on oral anticoagulation who had a major bleeding event were identified. Those who received either WATCHMAN or DOAC after resolution of the bleeding event were selected. The two groups were exactly matched 1:1 based on various comorbidities. Rates of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, and hemorrhagic stroke were compared over 5 years.

RESULTS

Each cohort consisted of 2248 patients after 1:1 matching. The mean CHADS2-VASC score was 4.81 ± 1.25. At 5 years, the WATCHMAN cohort had significantly lower rates of major bleeding events [OR 0.24 (0.21, 0.27)], TIAs [OR 0.75 (0.58, 0.95)], and ischemic strokes [OR 0.72 (0.61, 0.86)]. There was no significant difference in hemorrhagic strokes [OR 1.14 (0.83, 1.58)].

CONCLUSION

Even in a high-risk population, the WATCHMAN is comparable to DOAC therapy in the primary prevention of hemorrhagic strokes and may provide benefit in the rates of bleeding events, TIAs, and ischemic strokes.

Intracerebral haemorrhage

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a dramatic condition caused by the rupture of a cerebral vessel and the entry of blood into the brain parenchyma. ICH is a major contributor to stroke-related mortality and dependency: only half of patients survive for 1 year after ICH, and patients who survive have sequelae that affect their quality of life. The incidence of ICH has increased in the past few decades with shifts in the underlying vessel disease over time as vascular prevention has improved and use of antithrombotic agents has increased. The pathophysiology of ICH is complex and encompasses mechanical mass effect, haematoma expansion and secondary injury. Identifying the causes of ICH and predicting the vital and functional outcome of patients and their long-term vascular risk have improved in the past decade; however, no specific treatment is available for ICH. ICH remains a medical emergency, with prevention of haematoma expansion as the key therapeutic target. After discharge, secondary prevention and management of vascular risk factors in patients remains challenging and is based on an individual benefit-risk balance evaluation.

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Hospitalized Patients on Anticoagulants-A Two Center Matched Case-Control Study

Objective-Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are replacing vitamin K antagonists (VKA) for the prevention of ischemic stroke and venous thromboembolism. We set out to assess the effect of prior treatment with DOAC and VKA in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods-Consecutive SAH patients treated at two (Aachen, Germany and Helsinki, Finland) university hospitals were considered for inclusion. To assess the association between anticoagulant treatments on SAH severity measure by modified Fisher grading (mFisher) and outcome as measured by the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS, 6 months), DOAC- and VKA-treated patients were compared against age- and sex-matched SAH controls without anticoagulants. Results-During the inclusion timeframes, 964 SAH patients were treated in both centers. At the time point of aneurysm rupture, nine patients (0.93%) were on DOAC treatment, and 15 (1.6%) patients were on VKA. These were matched to 34 and 55 SAH age- and sex-matched controls, re-spectively. Overall, 55.6% of DOAC-treated patients suffered poor-grade (WFNS_4-5) SAH compared to 38.2% among their respective controls (p = 0.35); 53.3% of patients on VKA suffered poor-grade SAH compared to 36.4% in their respective controls (p = 0.23). Neither treatment with DOAC (aOR 2.70, 95%CI 0.30 to 24.23; p = 0.38), nor VKA (aOR 2.78, 95%CI 0.63 to 12.23; p = 0.18) were inde-pendently associated with unfavorable outcome (GOS_1-3) after 12 months. Conclusions-Iatrogenic coagulopathy caused by DOAC or VKA was not associated with more severe radiological or clinical subarachnoid hemorrhage or worse clinical outcome in hospitalized SAH patients.

Protecting the Brain, From the Heart: Safely Mitigating the Consequences of Thrombosis in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Survivors With Atrial Fibrillation

Optimal antithrombotic management after intracerebral hemorrhage remains one of the central unresolved issues for patients who survive, especially for those patients with atrial fibrillation. Given the observational nature of the studies regarding anticoagulation resumption after intracerebral hemorrhage, there is uncertainty regarding resumption of oral anticoagulation therapy and its timing. There is limited high-quality evidence to guide clinical practice, leading to significant practice variation and uncertainty for patients and providers. Here, we aim to provide the key elements to guide clinicians in their individual decision: whether or not to start or resume anticoagulation in patients with a history of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome in a Patient With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: The Surface of the Moon

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare coagulopathic disorder diagnosed with a combination of clinical/imaging findings with specific antibody titer elevations over a period of 12 weeks. The following case report will discuss the unusual and challenging hospital course of a patient with extensive autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) being treated for a multi-drug resistant urinary tract infection (UTI). The patient later developed multiple deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and was found to have antiphospholipid syndrome. Warfarin, the anticoagulant of choice for antiphospholipid syndrome, has a higher likelihood of intracerebral hemorrhage than direct oral anticoagulants. This is particularly challenging since patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease have a higher propensity to develop intracranial aneurysms (ICA).

Novel targets, treatments, and advanced models for intracerebral haemorrhage

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is the second most common type of stroke and a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Despite advances in surgical interventions and acute ICH management, there is currently no effective therapy to improve functional outcomes in patients. Recently, there has been tremendous progress uncovering new pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ICH that may pave the way for the development of therapeutic interventions. Here, we highlight emerging targets, but also existing gaps in preclinical animal modelling that prevent their exploitation. We particularly focus on (1) ICH aetiology, (2) the haematoma, (3) inflammation, and (4) post-ICH pathology. It is important to recognize that beyond neurons and the brain, other cell types and organs are crucially involved in ICH pathophysiology and successful interventions likely will need to address the entire organism. This review will spur the development of successful therapeutic interventions for ICH and advanced animal models that better reflect its aetiology and pathophysiology.

Benefits and Risks Associated with Long-term Oral Anticoagulation after Successful Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) prevents thromboembolism yet greatly increases the risk of bleeding, inciting concern among clinicians. Current guidelines lack sufficient evidence supporting long-term OAC following successful atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (CA). A literature search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and Scopus to seek out studies that compare continued and discontinued anticoagulation in post-ablation Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Funnel plots and Egger’s test examined potential bias. Via the random-effects model, summary odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using RevMan (5.4) and STATA (17.0). Twenty studies, including 22 429 patients (13 505 off-OAC) were analyzed. Stratified CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥2 examining thromboembolic events (TE) favored OAC continuation (OR 1.86; 95% CI: 1.02-3.40; P = .04). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated this association was attenuated. The on-OAC arm had greater incidence of major bleeding (MB) (OR 0.16; 95% CI: 0.08-0.95; P < .00001), particularly intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and gastrointestinal bleeding (GI); (OR 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08-0.36; P < .00001) and (OR 0.12; 95% CI: 0.04-0.32; P < .0001), respectively. Our findings support sustained anticoagulation in patients with a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of ≥2. Due to reduced outcome robustness, physician discretion is still advised.

Intracranial hemorrhage after head injury among older patients on anticoagulation seen in the emergency department: a population-based cohort study

Background:

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after head injury is a concern among older adult patients on anticoagulation. We evaluated the risk of ICH after an emergency department visit for head injury among patients 65 years and older taking warfarin or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) compared with patients not taking anticoagulants. We also evaluated risk of 30-day mortality and neurosurgical intervention among patients with ICH.

Methods:

In this retrospective cohort study, we used population-based data of patients 65 years and older seen in an Ontario emergency department with a head injury. We matched patients on the propensity score to create 3 pairwise-matched cohorts based on anticoagulation status (warfarin v. DOAC, warfarin v. no anticoagulant, DOAC v. no anticoagulant). For each cohort, we calculated the relative risk of ICH at the index emergency department visit and 30-day mortality. We also calculated the hazard of neurosurgical intervention among patients with ICH.

Results:

We identified 77 834 patients with head injury, including 64 917 (83.4%) who were not on anticoagulation, 9214 (11.8%) who were on DOACs and 3703 (4.8%) who were on warfarin. Of these, 5.9% of patients had ICH at the index emergency department visit. Patients on warfarin had an increased risk of ICH compared with matched patients on DOACs (relative risk [RR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–1.69) and patients not on anticoagulation (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.15–1.61). We did not observe a difference in ICH between patients on DOACs compared with matched patients not on anticoagulation. In patients with ICH, 30-day mortality did not differ by anticoagulation status or type. Patients on warfarin had an increased hazard of neurosurgery compared with patients not on anticoagulation.

Interpretation:

Patients on warfarin seen in the emergency department with a head injury had higher relative risks of ICH than matched patients on a DOAC and patients not on anticoagulation, respectively. The risk of ICH for patients on a DOAC was not significantly different compared with no anticoagulation. Further research should confirm that older adults using warfarin are the only group at higher risk of ICH after head injury.

Antithrombotic Management After Intracranial Hemorrhage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Intracranial hemorrhage remains one of the most feared acute neurological emergencies. However, apart from the acute management, secondary risk factor management and prevention of ischemic events remains ambiguous. We present a thorough review of the current data available regarding management of antithrombotics after intracranial hemorrhage.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most robust evidence comes from the investigators of the RESTART trial which reassured the safety of resuming antiplatelet therapy after ICH, namely in patients with prior indication and treatment with antithrombotics. We conclude that based on available data, the risk of recurrent ICH is probably too small to exceed the found benefits of antiplatelet therapy in the secondary prevention of ischemic vascular disease.