Hematuria and its repetition after initial control in patients receiving anti-coagulant: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Objectives:

Although Gross hematuria in patients receiving anticoagulants is not very common, it is one of the most common reasons of consulting with urologists. It is recommended to investigate urinary tract malignancies but simultaneous approach to anticoagulation and hematuria so as the optimum balance could be attained, is not clearly defined in the literature yet. We aim to answer pitfalls of hematuria management in anticoagulant receiving patients in this manuscript.

Materials and methods:

In a prospective case control study during 2017–2019, we observed and collected the data of patients receiving anticoagulant therapy and suffered from gross hematuria with coagulation parameters in prophylactic or therapeutic range in an academic hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. SPSS 24th version was used for descriptive analysis of collected data.

Results:

Sixty-six patients encountered hematuria while receiving anticoagulant therapy. Although hematuria was more common in male patients, its recurrence was higher in female patients. It started mostly in first 72 h of therapy and was anticoagulant-dose dependent. Degree of hematuria was mostly mild or moderate by visual estimation and controlled easily by holding the anticoagulant therapy for less than 2 days. Anti-platelet therapy, urinary catheterization and patient’s activity did not have any effect on re-bleeding rate.

Conclusion:

Considering the fact that ruling out the urinary tract malignancy is mandatory in these patients, moderate and severe hematuria can be controlled simply by short term holding the anticoagulant therapy while continuing antiplatelet therapy albeit there is possibility to continue them in mild cases. Removing urinary catheters and decreasing the patient’s mobility are not recommended. In order to decrease the recurrence of hematuria, re-establishing anticoagulation with LMWH and non-Vitamin D dependent oral agents rather than continuing Heparin and Warfarin might be helpful.