Chronic subdural haematomas and anticoagulation or anti-thrombotic therapy.
Eighty-one cases of chronic subdural haematomas (CSDH) admitted to the neurosurgical unit of the Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia, over a 5-year period were reviewed. The use of anticoagulant therapy as a causative agent in the development of CSDH was investigated. We suspected a high incidence of anticoagulant or anti-thrombotic therapy. We found that anticoagulant therapy was used by a significant percentage of CSDH patients. In the patient group presenting to our unit the risk of developing a CSDH was at least 42.5 times higher in warfarinised patients and also increased for patients on aspirin, although this risk could not be quantified.
Rust
Tilmann
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. tilmannrust@hotmail.com
Kiemer
Nicole
N
Erasmus
Albert
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D020200:Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin