Risk of thromboembolism, recurrent hemorrhage, and death after warfarin therapy interruption for intracranial hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: Whether and when to resume oral anticoagulant therapy for patients who survive warfarin-related intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) remains a dilemma lacking consensus recommendations and high-quality evidence to guide clinical decision making.

Objective: To determine the incidences of recurrent ICH, thrombosis, and death in relation to resumption or non-resumption of warfarin therapy during the 365 days after incident ICH.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients in an integrated healthcare delivery system who were receiving warfarin therapy at the time of incident (index) ICH between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2007 and survived to hospital discharge. The primary outcomes were recurrent ICH, thrombosis (stroke, systemic embolism, and venous thromboembolism), and all-cause mortality during the 365 days following index ICH. Patients were assigned to one of two groups defined by warfarin therapy resumption after the index ICH.

Results: There were 160 patients discharged from the hospital following warfarin-related index ICH; of these 54 (33.8%) resumed warfarin therapy and 106 (66.2%) did not. Recurrent ICH occurred in a numerically greater, but statistically non-significant, proportion of patients who did not resume warfarin therapy (7.6% vs. 3.7%, p=0.497). Similarly, patients who did not resume warfarin had a three-fold higher (12.3% vs. 3.7%, p=0.092) and approximately two-fold higher (31.1% vs. 18.5%, p=0.089) rates of thrombosis and all-cause mortality, respectively, during follow up.

Conclusion: Resumption of warfarin therapy following warfarin-associated ICH appeared not to be associated with increased risk of recurrent ICH but trended toward reduced thrombosis and all-cause mortality.

Keywords: Death; Hemorrhage; Intracranial hemorrhages; Thromboembolism; Warfarin.