Anticoagulation after intracranial hemorrhage in brain tumors: Risk of recurrent hemorrhage and venous thromboembolism

Abstract

Abstract Background Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a common and often devastating outcome in patients with brain tumors. Despite this, there is little evidence to guide anticoagulation management following an initial ICH event. Objectives To analyze the risk of recurrent hemorrhagic and thrombotic outcomes after an initial ICH event in patients with brain tumors and prior venous thromboembolism (VTE). Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed. Radiographic images obtained after initial ICH were reviewed for the primary outcomes of recurrent ICH and VTE. Results and Conclusions A total of 79 patients with brain tumors who developed ICH on anticoagulation for VTE were analyzed. Fifty‐four patients (68.4%) restarted anticoagulation following ICH. The cumulative incidence of recurrent ICH at 1 year was 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5‐15.3) following reinitiation of anticoagulation. Following a major ICH (defined as an ICH >10 mL in size, causing symptoms, or requiring intervention), the rate of recurrent ICH upon reexposure to anticoagulation was 14.5% (95% CI, 2.1‐38.35), whereas the rate of recurrent ICH following smaller ICH was 2.6% (95% CI, 0.2%‐12.0%). Mortality following a recurrent ICH on anticoagulation was 67% at 30 days. The cumulative incidence of recurrent VTE was significantly lower in the restart cohort compared to patients who did not restart anticoagulation (8.1% vs 35.3%; P = .003). We conclude that resumption of anticoagulation is lowest among patients with metastatic brain tumors with small initial ICH. Following an initial major ICH, resumption of anticoagulation was associated with a high rate of recurrent ICH.

Keywords

• anticoagulation
• brain tumors
• intracranial hemorrhage
• venous thromboembolism