Early administration of low molecular weight heparin after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. A safety analysis.
BACKGROUND
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication after stroke. Application of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) has been proven to be beneficial for the prevention of VTE in ischemic stroke patients. However, there is no consensus whether and how to administer LMWH for prevention of thrombotic complications after acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), the main concern being possible hematoma growth. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of early subcutaneous LMWH in patients with sICH with respect to hemorrhage enlargement.


METHODS
A total of 97 patients with sICH were analyzed. LMWH (either enoxaparin-natrium or dalteparin-natrium) were initiated within 36 h after admission in all patients without clinical evidence of hemorrhage enlargement or an absence of evidence of hematoma growth on CT. Hematoma growth (significant when >33%, moderate when >20%) was assessed on follow-up CT between days 5 and 11.


RESULTS
None of the patients showed a significant hemorrhage growth. Between days 2 and 10, 2 patients experienced a moderate hematoma enlargement of 22.4 and 20.9%. None of the included patients developed a fatal lung embolism.


CONCLUSIONS
Early application of subcutaneous LMWH for prevention of venous thromboembolism seems to be safe, and probably does not increase the risk of hematoma growth in patients with sICH.
Kiphuth
Ines C
IC
Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen, Germany.
Staykov
Dimitre
D
Köhrmann
Martin
M
Struffert
Tobias
T
Richter
Gregor
G
Bardutzky
Jurgen
J
Kollmar
Rainer
R
Mäurer
Mathias
M
Schellinger
Peter D
PD
Hilz
Max-Josef
MJ
Doerfler
Arnd
A
Schwab
Stefan
S
Huttner
Hagen B
HB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight