Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism Post-Oral Anticoagulation Reversal in Intracranial Hemorrhage Patients

Abstract

Background:

Rates of in-hospital venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) population post oral anticoagulation (AC) reversal are as high as 10%. Guidelines recommend the initiation of prophylactic AC 24 to 48 hours post ICH; however, there is no guidance regarding optimal VTE prophylaxis post-reversal.

Objective:

This study aimed to identify the incidence of thromboembolism post oral AC reversal in patients presenting with ICH and describe VTE prophylaxis timing and agent selection.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted within a single health system. Patients on AC who received reversal agents 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) with or without vitamin K, andexanet alfa, and/or idarucizumab for AC-associated ICH were included. The primary endpoint was incidence of in-hospital VTE post-reversal. Secondary endpoints included AC utilization specifications, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.

Results:

There were 118 patients (57%) who received 4F-PCC and 89 patients (43%) who received andexanet alfa for reversal post-ICH. Overall, 195 patients (94.2%) achieved hemostasis. Eight patients had incidence of VTE (3.9%), and of those, 6 patients (75%) were reinitiated on AC, all of which utilized prophylactic heparin. The median time from reversal to VTE was 55.9 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 21.2-72.4). For all patients on AC, the median time to initiation from reversal was 3.98 days (IQR = 2.5-6.01), and for those with incidence of thrombosis, the median time to AC initiation was 6.4 days (IQR = 2.6-13.1). Mortality occurred in 13 patients (6.3%).

Conclusion and Relevance:

This patient population is complex in that the need to achieve hemostasis with AC reversal must be balanced with the risk of VTE. Further studies are needed to determine the ideal timing and agent selection for VTE prophylaxis initiation post ICH reversal.