Intraparenchymal cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the presence of blood in the brain parenchyma. It is a neurologic emergency and may carry severe morbidity and death. This chapter focuses mainly on spontaneous, nontraumatic ICH (ie, hemorrhage not related to trauma, arteriovenous malformation, cerebral aneurysm, or tumor). ICH accounts for 15% to 20% of all new strokes annually. Among the US general population, the incidence is 15 cases per 100,000 person-years.

Background and Purpose: Stroke outcome data in Uganda is lacking. The objective of this study was to capture 30-day mortality outcomes in patients presenting with acute and subacute stroke to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in Uganda. Methods: A prospective study enrolling consecutive adults presenting to MRRH with abrupt onset of focal neurologic deficits suspicious for stroke, from August 2014 to March 2015. All patients had head computed tomography (CT) confirmation of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Data was collected on mortality, morbidity, risk factors, and imaging characteristics. Results: Investigators screened 134 potential subjects and enrolled 108 patients. Sixty-two percent had ischemic and 38% hemorrhagic stroke. The mean age of all patients was 62.5 (SD 17.4), and 52% were female. More patients had hypertension in the hemorrhagic stroke group than in the ischemic stroke group (53% vs. 32%, p = 0.0376). Thirty-day mortality was 38.1% (p = 0.0472), and significant risk factors were National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, female sex, anemia, and HIV infection. A one unit increase of the NIHSS on admission increased the risk of death at 30 days by 6%. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke had statistically higher NIHSS scores (p = 0.0408) on admission compared to patients with ischemic stroke, and also had statistically higher Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at discharge (p = 0.0063), and mRS score change from baseline (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Our study highlights an overall 30-day stroke mortality of 38.1% in southwestern Uganda, and identifies NIHSS at admission, female sex, anemia, and HIV infection as predictors of mortality.

Introduction: Despite the recognized linkage between retinal microvascular abnormalities and cerebrovascular ischemic diseases (CVD), the retinal findings’ standardization and the degree of association remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the quantitative association between various retinal microvascular signs and CVD. Hypothesis: retinal microvascular abnormalities best predictive of CVD could be identified by synthesizing estimates of CVD risk from population-based studies. Methods: We followed MOOSE guidelines and systematically searched 6 databases through September 2016 for studies evaluating the association between retinal microvascular abnormalities and white matter hyperintense lesions (WMHI), lacunar infarcts (LI), and cerebral infarctions (CI). Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals were pooled into the analyses using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. Study quality and dissemination biases were assessed and integrated. Results: Thirty-four prospective studies encompassing 84,144 patients were eligible for meta-analysis. After adjustment for vascular risk factors, focal arteriolar narrowing was associated with WMHI (OR, 1.24 [1.01-1.79]), LI (OR, 1.77 [1.14-2.74]), and CI (OR, 1.75 [1.14-2.69]). Venular dilation was significantly associated with LI (OR, 1.46 [1.10-1.93]), whereas retinal hemorrhage was associated with WMHI (OR, 2.23 [1.34-3.70]). Arteriovenous nicking was associated with WMHI (OR, 1.51 [1.22-1.88]) and LI (OR, 1.70 [1.05-2.76]). Any retinopathy exhibited significant association with WMHI, LI, and CI. Heterogeneity was significant ( I 2 >50%) for all syntheses except retinal hemorrhages and WMHI, retinopathy and CI ( I 2 =0.0%) and respectively LI ( I 2 =45.80%). Conclusions: Retinal hemorrhages were most highly associated with WMHI. Focal arteriolar narrowing and retinopathy were associated with WMHI, LI, and CI. Our findings may assist in the development of a noninvasive retinal microvascular tool for routine use in CVD research and clinical practice.

Objective: To determine if the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >= 75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) predicts thromboembolism and death in patients without atrial fibrillation in a population with implantable cardiac monitoring devices.Patients and Methods: A retrospective review utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project research infrastructure was conducted to evaluate the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc tool as a predictor of mortality and ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or systemic embolism in patients without atrial fibrillation. An implantable device was required in the inclusion criteria to discern the absence of atrial fibrillation. The study period was January 1, 2004, through March 7, 2016.Results: The study population (N = 1606) had a mean (SD) age of 69.8 (12.6) years and median follow-up of 4.8 years (range, 0-12 years; quartile 1, 2.6 years and quartile 3, 8.1 years). The number of thromboembolic and mortality events stratified by CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score groupings of 0 to 2 (399 patients), 3 to 5 (756 patients), and 6 to 9 (451 patients) were 12 (3.0%), 109 (14.4%), and 123 (27.3%) and 22 (5.5%), 205 (27.1%), and 214 (47.4%), respectively. The CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score predicted thromboembolism and death. The hazard ratios (HRs) for thromboembolic events for CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 were 4.84 (95% CI, 2.66-8.80) and 10.53 (95% CI, 5.77-19.21) (reference group, scores 0-2). The HRs for death for the corresponding score categories were 4.45 (95% CI, 2.86-6.91) and 8.18 (95% CI, 5.23-12.78). The CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score also predicted development of atrial fibrillation, for which the HRs for scores 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 were 1.51 (95% CI, 1.13-2.00) and 2.17 (95% CI, 1.60-2.95).Conclusion: The CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc tool predicts thromboembolic events and overall mortality in patients without atrial fibrillation who have implantable devices. (C) 2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

OBJECTIVE:To ensure prime blood pressure management and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score documentation within 6 hours of arrival and/or before any intervention in patients admitted to Mayo Clinic Hospital with acute ICH.PATIENTS AND METHODS:A quality improvement initiative was conducted between September 29, 2015, and May 30, 2017, following the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control methodology. Our prespecified goals for the first 8 months postintervention were that at least 80% of patients with ICH will have systolic blood pressure (SBP) control as per guideline-based recommendations (SBP ≤140 mm Hg) and at least 80% will have ICH score documented within 6 hours postadmission. Neurovascular stakeholders' feedback was included in the process development. Practice gaps and their leading causes were identified and served rational interventions' planning. Education and admission order-set modifications were chosen as intervention methods.RESULTS:At 4 (first measurement, n=13) and 8 months (second measurement, n=15) postintervention, 92.3% and 100% of patients with ICH, respectively, reached the target SBP, compared with 50% in the preintervention group (comparison group, n=26); 84.6% and 85.7% of the patient population had the ICH score documented at the first and second outcome measurement, respectively, compared with 42.3% in the preintervention group. Stakeholders reported good satisfaction with the novel applications. Sustainability plans and future directions were established.CONCLUSION:Effective education methods enhance the introduction of guideline-based clinical practices. This quality improvement project has the potential to impact patient outcomes, staff efficiency, and stroke centers' maintenance of certification and quality care recognition. This initiative warrants implementation at hospitals across all Mayo Clinic campuses and nationwide.

Background: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a neurological and ophthalmologic emergency associated with poor visual recovery. There is a dilemma regarding the appropriate treatment, as formal guidelines are lacking. Despite being considered an ocular equivalent of cerebral infarction, the time window of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis administration for maximum efficacy and safety in CRAO remains uncertain. Objective: To critically assess the current evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of IV thrombolysis in the treatment of patients with CRAO. Methods: The objective was addressed through the development of a critically appraised topic that included a clinical scenario, structured question, literature search strategy, critical appraisal, assessment of results, evidence summary, commentary, and bottom-line conclusions. Participants included consultant and resident neurologists, a medical librarian, and content experts in the fields of vascular neurology and ophthalmology. Results: A recent patient-level meta-analysis was selected for critical appraisal. The study compared the visual recovery rates after IV thrombolysis in CRAO against the natural history of this illness and conservative therapies (ocular massage, anterior chamber paracentesis, and/or hemodilution). Time to thrombolytic therapy administration had a significant impact on visual recovery in CRAO (P<0.001). IV thrombolysis within the first 4.5 hours after symptom onset resulted in recovery of vision in 50.0% of the patients [95% confidence interval (CI), 32.4%-67.6%]. The rate of visual recovery was nearly 3 times higher than in the natural history cohort [odds ratio, 4.7 (95% CI, 2.3-9.6); P<0.001], with a 32.3% absolute risk reduction and a number needed to treat of 4.0 (95% CI, 2.6-6.6). There was no significant difference in the recovery rate after thrombolysis compared with the natural history cohort for those patients treated after 4.5 hours. No major hemorrhages occurred after alteplase administration in this meta-analysis. Conclusions: IV thrombolysis in CRAO seems to be safe and effective within the first 4.5 hours of symptom onset. A clinical decision based on this meta-analysis alone cannot be made due to several limitations. A randomized controlled clinical trial of early IV alteplase administration in CRAO is necessary to provide evidence-based therapeutic guidance.

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was first approved for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in the United States in 1996. Thrombolytic therapy has been proven to be effective in acute ischemic stroke treatment and shown to improve long-term functional outcomes. Its use is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage as well as orolingual angioedema. Our goal is to outline the management strategies for these postthrombolysis complications.

Background: Telemedicine has created access to emergency stroke care for patients in all communities, regardless of geography. We hypothesized that there is no difference in speed of assessment between vascular neurologist (VN) robotic telepresence and standard VN-supervised stroke alert patients in a metropolitan primary stroke center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective stroke alert database was used to identify all robotic telepresence and standardly supervised stroke alert patient assessments at a primary stroke center emergency department from 2009 to 2012. The primary outcome measure was the duration of assessment from stroke alert activation to treatment or downgrade. Results: The sample size was 196 subjects. The mean duration of time from stroke alert activation to initiation of intravenous (IV) thrombolytic treatment or downgrade was 8.6 min longer in the robotic group than in the standard group (p=0.03). Among the subgroup of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with IV thrombolysis, the mean duration of time from activation to treatment was 18 min longer in the robotic group than in the standard group (p=0.01). Safety outcomes including thrombolysis protocol violations (0% versus 1%), post-thrombolysis symptomatic intracranial hemorrhagic complications (3% versus 1%), and death during hospitalization (8% versus 6%) were low in the robotic group and not significantly different from that in the standard group. Conclusions: Standard VN-supervised acute stroke team assessments were swifter than those supervised by robotic telepresence. Safety outcomes of robotic telepresence-supervised stroke alerts were excellent, and this modality may be preferred in circumstances when a VN is not immediately available on-site.

Background: Although not without its limitations, warfarin has provided essential protection against cardioembolic stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) for over 60 years. Dabigatran, the first oral direct thrombin inhibitor to be approved in the United States is reputed to provide the same or better ischemic stroke protection with reduced risk of intracranial hemorrhage. However, it remains to be seen whether its promise will be borne out in everyday practice. Objective: Track initial dabigatran course in patients at Mayo Clinic Arizona and regional stroke centers since its approval in 2010. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all dabigatran patients between October 2010 and September 2011. Regional practices were obtained from a nationwide survey of cardiologists and neurologists. Results: See table Conclusion: During our period of review, dabigatran was well tolerated. A smaller than expected number of patients discontinued the agent or experienced adverse events, as compared to randomized controlled trial predictions. Furthermore, rates of ischemic events (2/159 or 1.26%) were exceedingly low. Our study had several limitations (retrospective review; random bias, sample bias with low numbers and a more elderly population, shorter median follow up). Many of these shortcomings could be addressed with prospective patient tracking. As with any novel therapy, provider surveys afforded an important window into real world practices and perceptions regarding dabigatran. The majority believed it was a reasonable alternative to warfarin, citing fluctuating INR’s as the most persuasive target population followed by patient preference. Cost was an important limiting factor to prescription and considerable uncertainty remains surrounding reversibility and how to approach acute thrombolysis in recurrent ischemic stroke.

New oral anticoagulants have been found to be as efficacious as warfarin and safer in terms of intracranial bleeding. All patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation should receive antithrombotic therapy for stroke prevention. For those at low risk, antiplatelet therapy is probably sufficient. For those at intermediate or high risk, anticoagulation is superior to antiplatelet therapy. Four oral anticoagulants are currently approved for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in atrial fibrillation: warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban. Management of bleeding complications while on the new agents remains an area of concern and management is based on anecdotal experience and observational studies.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important modifiable and independent risk factor for stroke. AF is associated with 2-4% annual risk for first time stroke and about 8% annually for recurrent stroke. Anticoagulant therapy reduces the risk by 60%, while the relative risk reduction (RRR) obtained from antiplatelet therapy is only 20%. The effect is more robust for secondary than for primary prevention. Risk stratification schemes are utilized to assess an individual’s risk of future stroke and to determine the optimal antithrombotic or anticoagulation regimen for stroke prevention. Despite Warfarin’s superiority over antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of AF related systemic embolism, Warfarin is largely underutilized. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and reasons behind withholding anticoagulation in patient with AF related cardioembolic stroke in our institution. Method: We extracted patients from our Get With The Guideline’s (GWTG) database who were admitted to Mayo Clinic AZ between January 2004 and December 2009. Two authors (TK and NL) independently identified all patients with the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation who were not prescribed Warfarin therapy upon discharge, then reviewed to identify the reason(s) why anticoagulation was not initiated. Factors such as discharge disposition (home, acute rehabilitation, long term nursing facility, hospice, other) and functional status (able to ambulate independently, with assistance, unable to ambulate, or not documented) were also assessed to help support the decision process. Results: From a total of 1295 patients, 305 with AF were identified. Patients who expired 48 (3.7%) from un-related causes were excluded. Of the 257 patients, 206 (80.2%) were anticoagulated and 51 (19.8%) were not anticoagulated. We found that in the anticoagulated group, patients discharged home were more likely to receive anticoagulation (89.2%), followed by those discharged to acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities (77%). Those discharged to hospice were the least likely to receive anticoagulation (6.4%). In addition, patients with greater functional ability were also more likely to receive anticoagulation (independent 89.8%, vs. assisted 76.7%, vs. non-ambulatory 33.3%; p<0.0001). Reasons to withhold anticoagulation therapy at discharge included terminal illness/comfort measures only (40.0%); risk/discomfort due to bleeding (24%); risk of falls (13.0%); and patient refusal (9.0%). Discussion: Based on the results, we conclude that functional status and disposition at discharge are significant factors influencing the decision to anticoagulate after cardioembolic stroke attributed to AF.

Background and Purpose— The American Stroke Association guidelines emphasized the need for further high-quality studies that assess agreement by radiologists and nonradiologists engaged in emergency telestroke assessments and decision-making. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the level of agreement of baseline brain CT scan interpretations of patients with acute stroke presenting to telestroke spoke hospitals between central reading committee neuroradiologists and each of 2 groups, spoke hospital radiologists and hub hospital vascular neurologists (telestrokologists). Methods— The Stroke Team Remote Evaluation Using a Digital Observation Camera Arizona trial was a prospective, urban single-hub, rural 2-spoke, randomized, blinded, controlled trial of a 2-way, site-independent, audiovisual telemedicine and teleradiology system designed for remote evaluation of adult patients with acute stroke versus telephone consultation to assess eligibility for treatment with intravenous thrombolysis. In the telemedicine arm, the subjects’ CT scans were interpreted by the hub telestrokologist and in the telephone arm by the spoke radiologist. All subjects’ CT scans were subsequently interpreted centrally, independently, and blindly by 2 hub neuroradiologists. The primary CT outcome was determination of a CT-based contraindication to thrombolytic treatment. Kappa statistics and exact agreement rates were used to analyze interobserver agreement. Results— Fifty-four subjects underwent random assignment. The overall agreement for the presence of radiological contraindications to thrombolysis was excellent (0.91) and did not differ substantially between the hub telestrokologist to neuroradiologist and spoke radiologist to neuroradiologist (0.92 and 0.89, respectively). Conclusions— In the context of a telestroke network designed to assess patients with acute stroke syndromes, agreement over the presence or absence of radiological contraindications to thrombolysis was excellent whether the comparisons were between a telestrokologist and neuroradiologist or between spoke radiologist and neuroradiologist. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00623350.

Background and Purpose—The American Stroke Association guidelines emphasized the need for further high-quality studies which assess agreement by radiologists and non-radiologists engaged in emergency telestroke assessments and decision making. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the level of agreement of baseline brain CT scan interpretations of acute stroke patients presenting to telestroke spoke hospitals between central reading committee neuroradiologists and each of two groups, spoke hospital radiologists and hub hospital vascular neurologists (telestrokologists). Methods—The Stroke Team Remote Evaluation Using a Digital Observation Camera Arizona trial was a prospective, urban single-hub, rural two-spoke, randomized, blinded, controlled trial of a two-way, site-independent, audiovisual telemedicine and teleradiology system designed for remote evaluation of adult patients with acute stroke versus telephone consultation to assess eligibility for treatment with intravenous thrombolysis. In the telemedicine arm, the subjects’ CT scans were interpreted by the hub telestrokologist and in the telephone arm, by the spoke radiologist. All subjects’ CT scans were subsequently interpreted centrally, independently, and blindly by two hub neuroradiologists. The primary CT outcome was determination of a CT based contraindication to thrombolytic treatment. Kappa statistics and exact agreement rates were used to analyze interobserver agreement. Results—Fifty-four subjects underwent random assignment. The overall agreement for the presence of radiological contraindications to thrombolysis was excellent (0.91) and did not differ substantially between hub telestrokologist to neuroradiologist and spoke radiologist to neuroradiologist (0.92 and 0.89, respectively). Contact Information: Bart M. Demaerschalk, MD, MSc, Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, Arizona 85054, 480-342-3370 Phone, 480-342-3835 Fax, demaerschalk.bart@mayo.edu. Disclosure Statement: The authors have no relevant relationships to disclose. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Stroke. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2013 November 01. Published in final edited form as: Stroke. 2012 November ; 43(11): 3095–3097. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.666255.

Background: Each year, nearly 700,000 Americans suffer from strokes, resulting in 150,000 deaths and significant disability among survivors. Despite advances in therapeutic options for acute stroke within a critical time window, patient delay in seeking medical attention remains a significant barrier to improving outcomes. In a recent study of the effect of marital status on the timing of presentation for medical care in patients with chest pain, married men presented earlier than married women. In this study, we hypothesize that marital status is a predictor of earlier health-seeking behavior following the onset of stroke symptoms. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 100 patients with acute stroke symptoms in our stroke alert quality initiative database who were brought by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the Mayo Clinic Hospital, Arizona between December 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Nine patients were excluded due to lack of data. The database contains the following information for each patient: age, gender, marital status, the time of symptom awareness, and the time of EMS dispatch. Using both an independent samples t-Test and ANOVA, we compared the time from symptom awareness to EMS dispatch both between married and single patients, and between men and women, (married and single). Results: The mean age of the 91 patients studied was 76 years (SD = 12.5 years) and 52% were women. Forty-five patients (49.5%) were married, and 46 (50.5%) were single. The mean time from symptom awareness to EMS activation was 52 minutes (median 21.0, SD 87.3, range 2-519 minutes.) Categorized by marital status, married patients activated EMS earlier that single patients, but this difference was not significant (43 versus 60 minutes, p=0.35.). Analyzing the data separately for gender, we found that married men activated EMS significantly earlier than married women (26 versus 72 minutes, p=0.04.). Single men activated EMS earlier than single women, but this difference was not significant (50 versus 66 minutes, p=0.60.) Conclusions: Among persons with acute stroke symptoms, earlier medical-seeking behavior was seen in married compared to single persons, and particularly in married men. We plan to analyze a larger sample of patients, and if these preliminary findings are confirmed, we will conduct a prospective study evaluating reasons why married men with stroke symptoms seek medical attention earlier.

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is defined as bleeding within the intracranial vault and has several subtypes depending on the anatomic location of bleeding. ICH is diagnosed through history, physical examination, and, most commonly, noncontrast CT examination of the brain, which discloses the anatomic bleeding location. Trauma is a common cause. In the absence of trauma, spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage is a common cause associated with hypertension when found in the deep locations such as the basal ganglia, pons, or caudate nucleus. This article addresses the diagnosis and general management of ICH and discusses specialized management for select ICH subtypes.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness and safety of long‐term treatment with oral anticoagulants compared with antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of cerebral or systemic embolism in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background and Purpose— ResolutionMD mobile application runs on a Smartphone and affords vascular neurologists access to radiological images of patients with stroke from remote sites in the context of a telemedicine evaluation. Although reliability studies using this technology have been conducted in a controlled environment, this study is the first to incorporate it into a real-world hub and spoke telestroke network. The study objective was to assess the level of agreement of brain CT scan interpretation in a telestroke network between hub vascular neurologists using ResolutionMD, spoke radiologists using a Picture Archiving and Communications System, and independent adjudicators. Methods— Fifty-three patients with stroke at the spoke hospital consented to receive a telemedicine consultation and participate in a registry. Each CT was evaluated by a hub vascular neurologist, a spoke radiologist, and by blinded telestroke adjudicators, and agreement over clinically important radiological features was calculated. Results— Agreement ( κ and 95% CI) between hub vascular neurologists using ResolutionMD and (1) the spoke radiologist; and (2) independent adjudicators, respectively, were: identification of intracranial hemorrhage 1.0 (0.92–1.0), 1.0 (0.93–1.0), neoplasm 1.0 (0.92–1.0), 1.0 (0.93–1.0), any radiological contraindication to thrombolysis 1.0 (0.92–1.0), 0.85 (0.65–1.0), early ischemic changes 0.62 (0.28–0.96), 0.58 (0.30–0.86), and hyperdense artery sign 0.40 (0.01–0.80), 0.44 (0.06–0.81). Conclusions— CT head interpretations of telestroke network patients by vascular neurologists using ResolutionMD on Smartphones were in excellent agreement with interpretations by spoke radiologists using a Picture Archiving and Communications System and those of independent telestroke adjudicators using a desktop viewer. Clinical Trial Registration Information— www.clinicaltrials.gov unique identifier NCT00829361.

HomeStrokeVol. 43, No. 7Letter by Freeman et al Regarding Article, “Intracranial Hemorrhage in Atrial Fibrillation Patients During Anticoagulation With Warfarin or Dabigatran: The RE-LY Trial” Free AccessLetterPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessLetterPDF/EPUBLetter by Freeman et al Regarding Article, “Intracranial Hemorrhage in Atrial Fibrillation Patients During Anticoagulation With Warfarin or Dabigatran: The RE-LY Trial” W. David Freeman, MD Ruth Kuo, PharmD Maria I. Aguilar, MD W. David FreemanW. David Freeman Departments of Neurology, Critical Care, and Neurosurgery Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL (Freeman) Search for more papers by this author Ruth KuoRuth Kuo Department of Pharmacy Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL (Kuo) Search for more papers by this author Maria I. AguilarMaria I. Aguilar Department of Neurology Mayo Clinic Phoenix, AZ (Aguilar) Search for more papers by this author Originally published22 May 2012https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.660407Stroke. 2012;43:e63Other version(s) of this articleYou are viewing the most recent version of this article. Previous versions: January 1, 2012: Previous Version 1 To the Editor:We read with great interest the article by Hart et al1 on intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) with dabigatran from the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Therapy (RE-LY) trial,2 which elaborates on the types of ICH in the trial as intraparenchymal (intracerebral), subdural, or subarachnoid hemorrhage and compares mortality between the groups, which ranged from 30% to 50%. The authors argue that the dabigatran ICH mortality was not increased compared with warfarin ICH in the study despite the fear of not having a known “antidote” for dabigatran anticoagulation reversal1,3,4 compared with warfarin. The authors note the incidence of dabigatran was less than warfarin ICH, and this explains why the likelihood of dying from ICH was significantly lower (P<0.01) during anticoagulation with dabigatran as compared with warfarin. Although the information about the ICH subtypes that occur during dabigatran anticoagulation is enlightening, the medical management of these patients remains challenging and neurosurgeons need emergent and adequate intraoperative hemostasis to evacuate subdural hematomas.5 The authors report that the reviews of anticoagulation reversal details for ICH were “inconsistently available in the source documents.”1,2 When we contacted the manufacturer about anticoagulation reversal, it was suggested to try (1) intravenous hydration to expedite the elimination of the drug; and (2) dialysis, which only removes 62% of the drug by 2 hours (written communication, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, April, 2011). Placement of a venous central line the size needed for hemodialysis seems precarious in a fully anticoagulated dabigatran patient with its own inherent bleeding risks from that procedure. Also, the logistics of starting hemodialysis during an emergent craniotomy, although possible, is less than ideal. Warfarin's natural antidote of phytonadione (vitamin K1) can be given intravenously to start warfarin anticoagulation reversal with other agents such as prothrombin complex concentrates or recombinant factor VIIa being given in emergent situations.3,4 Therefore, we suggest future research on dabigatran anticoagulation reversal to help patients who suffer this, even if infrequent, devastating complication.W. David Freeman, MD Departments of Neurology, Critical Care, and Neurosurgery Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FLRuth Kuo, PharmD Department of Pharmacy Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FLMaria I. Aguilar, MD Department of Neurology Mayo Clinic Phoenix, AZDisclosuresNone.FootnotesStroke welcomes Letters to the Editor and will publish them, if suitable, as space permits. Letters must reference a Stroke published-ahead-of-print article or an article printed within the past 3 weeks. The maximum length is 750 words including no more than 5 references and 3 authors. Please submit letters typed double-spaced. Letters may be shortened or edited. Include a completed copyright transfer agreement form (available online at http://stroke.ahajournals.org and http://submit-stroke.ahajournals.org). References 1. Hart RG, Diener HC, Yang S, Connolly SJ, Wallentin L, Reilly PA , et al. Intracranial hemorrhage in atrial fibrillation patients during anticoagulation with warfarin or dabigatran. The RE-LY Trial. Stroke. 2012; 43: xx–xx.LinkGoogle Scholar2. Connolly SJ, Ezekowitz MD, Yusuf S, Eikelboom J, Oldgren J, Parekh A , et al. RELY Trial Investigators. Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2009; 361:1139–1151.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. van Ryn J, Stangier J, Haertter S, Liesenfeld K, Wienen W, Feuring M , et al. Dabigatran etexilate—a novel, reversible, oral direct thrombin inhibitor: interpretation of coagulation assays and reversal of anticoagulant activity. Thromb Haemost. 2010; 103:1116–1127.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Garber ST, Sivakumar W, Schmidt RH. Neurosurgical complications of direct thrombin inhibitors-catastrophic hemorrhage after mild traumatic brain injury in a patient receiving dabigatran. J Neurosurg. Published online ahead of print March 6, 2012. DOI: 10.3171/2012.2.JNS112132.Google Scholar Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited By Liu J, Elsamadisi P, Philips E, Bauer K and Eche I (2022) Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate plus andexanet alfa for reversal of factor Xa inhibitor–associated bleeding: Case series, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 10.1093/ajhp/zxac079 Harrington A, Armstrong E, Nolan P and Malone D (2013) Cost-Effectiveness of Apixaban, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke, 44:6, (1676-1681), Online publication date: 1-Jun-2013. July 2012Vol 43, Issue 7 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics © 2012 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.660407PMID: 22618385 Originally publishedMay 22, 2012 PDF download Advertisement SubjectsAnticoagulantsPlatelets