Clinical Question: What is the current guideline for reversal of antithrombotics in intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)?
Background: Antithrombotics are used to treat or decrease the risk of thromboembolic events, and the use is expected to rise in the future because of an aging population and conditions such as atrial fibrillation. Patients on antithrombotics who experience spontaneous ICH have a higher risk of death or poor outcome, compared with those who are not. Rapid reversal of coagulopathy may help to improve outcomes.
Study design: A 13-person, multi-institutional, international committee with expertise in relevant medical fields reviewed a total of 488 articles to develop guidelines and treatment recommendations.
Synopsis: The committee developed guidelines for the reversal of antithrombotics after reviewing a total of 488 articles up through November 2015. The quality of evidence and treatment recommendations were drafted based on the GRADE system, as follows:
• Vitamin K antagonists: If international normalized ratio is greater than or equal to 1.4, administer vitamin K 10 mg IV, plus 3-4 factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) or fresh frozen plasma.
• Direct factor Xa inhibitors: activated charcoal within 2 hr of ingestion, activated PCC or 4 factor PCC.
• Direct thrombin inhibitors – Dabigatran: activated charcoal within 2 hr of ingestion and Idarucizumab. Consider hemodialysis. Other DTIs: activated PCC or 4 factor PCC.
• Unfractionated heparin: protamine IV.
• Low-molecular-weight heparins – Enoxaparin: protamine IV, dose based on time of enoxaparin administration. Dalteparin/nadroparin/tinzaparin: protamine IV or recombinant factor (rF)VIIa.
• Danaparoid: rFVIIa.
• Pentasaccharides: activated PCC.
• Thrombolytic agents: cryoprecipitate 10 units or antifibrinolytics.
• Antiplatelet agents: desmopressin 0.4 mcg or platelet transfusion in neurosurgical procedure.
Bottom Line: This is a statement of the guideline for reversal of antithrombotics in intracranial hemorrhage from the Neurocritical Care Society and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
Citation: Frontera J, Lewin JJ, Rabinstein AA, et al. “Guideline for reversal of antithrombotics in intracranial hemorrhage: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Neurocritical Care Society and Society of Critical Care Medicine.” Neurocrit Care. 2016 Feb;24(1):6-46.
Dr. Kim is clinical assistant professor in the division of hospital medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Ill.