Anticoagulation Resumption with mechanical hearth valve after intracerebral hemorrhage

Restarting within less than 2 weeks after ICH in patients with mechanical heart valves (MHVs) was associated with increased haemorrhagic complications. Optimal weighing-between least risks for thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications-provided an earliest starting point of TA at Day 6, reserved only for patients at high thromboembolic risk. ¹⁾.

A cross-sectional survey was disseminated to North American members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Demographic factors, as well as a clinical scenario with 14 modifiable clinical risk factors were included in the survey.

RESULTS: 504 physicians completed our survey (response rate 34.3%). Majority of participants were affiliated with academic centres, and managed≤10 ICH patients with MHV per year. There was wide distribution in response in optimal timing for OAC resumption following an ICH: 59% and 60% preferred to re-start OAC between 3 and 14 days following the hemorrhagic event (median of 6-7 days). Smaller hemorrhages (<30cm2). CHADS2 score ≥2, concomitant venous thromboembolism, mitral valve prosthesis, caged-ball valves and multiple valves prompted earlier OAC resumption.

CONCLUSION: Wide variation in the current practice of neurosurgeons and thrombosis specialists exist when they encounter patients with ICH and MHV, though decisions were influenced by patient- and valve-related factors. As our observed variation likely reflects the immense gap in current evidence, prospective randomized trials in this population are therefore urgently needed ²⁾.

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Kuramatsu JB, Sembill JA, Gerner ST, Sprügel MI, Hagen M, Roeder SS, Endres M, Haeusler KG, Sobesky J, Schurig J, Zweynert S, Bauer M, Vajkoczy P, Ringleb PA, Purrucker J, Rizos T, Volkmann J, Müllges W, Kraft P, Schubert AL, Erbguth F, Nueckel M, Schellinger PD, Glahn J, Knappe UJ, Fink GR, Dohmen C, Stetefeld H, Fisse AL, Minnerup J, Hagemann G, Rakers F, Reichmann H, Schneider H, Wöpking S, Ludolph AC, Stösser S, Neugebauer H, Röther J, Michels P, Schwarz M, Reimann G, Bäzner H, Schwert H, Claßen J, Michalski D, Grau A, Palm F, Urbanek C, Wöhrle JC, Alshammari F, Horn M, Bahner D, Witte OW, Günther A, Hamann GF, Lücking H, Dörfler A, Achenbach S, Schwab S, Huttner HB. Management of therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage and mechanical heart valves. Eur Heart J. 2018 May 14;39(19):1709-1723. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy056. PubMed PMID: 29529259; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5950928.

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AlKherayf F, Xu Y, Westwick H, Moldovan ID, Wells PS. Timing of anticoagulant re-initiation following intracerebral hemorrhage in mechanical heart valves: Survey of neurosurgeons and thrombosis experts. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2017 Mar;154:23-27. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.01.006. Epub 2017 Jan 16. PubMed PMID: 28103532.