Key result
Low-dose subcutaneous heparin in ICH is not linked to increased intracranial haemorrhagic complications vs no heparin.
Why the study?
To determine the occurrence of intracranial haemorrhagic complications on low-dose subcutaneous heparin prophylaxis across non-OAC-ICH, VKA-associated ICH, and NOAC-associated ICH.
Does low-dose subcutaneous heparin for VTE prophylaxis increase intracranial haemorrhagic complications in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage?
Cohort (n=2,724)
Yes
Does low-dose subcutaneous heparin for VTE prophylaxis increase intracranial haemorrhagic complications in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage?
Relative Risk: 1.09 (95% CI 0.38–4.43)
Absolute Event Rate: 1.43% vs 1.32%
p-value: p=0.953
Low-dose subcutaneous heparin for VTE prophylaxis appears safe regarding intracranial haemorrhagic complications in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage.
Supports safety of low-dose heparin VTE prophylaxis in ICH; hypothesis-generating and requires RCT confirmation before practice change.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of intracranial haemorrhagic complications (IHC) on heparin prophylaxis (low-dose subcutaneous heparin, LDSH) in primary spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) (not oral anticoagulation-associated ICH, non-OAC-ICH), vitamin K antagonist (VKA)-associated ICH and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC)-associated ICH. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study (RETRACE) of 22 participating centres and prospective single-centre study with 1702 patients with VKA-associated or NOAC-associated ICH and 1022 patients with non-OAC-ICH with heparin prophylaxis between 2006 and 2015. Outcomes were defined as rates of IHC during hospital stay among patients with non-OAC-ICH, VKA-ICH and NOAC-ICH, mortality and functional outcome at 3 months between patients with ICH with and without IHC. RESULTS: IHC occurred in 1.7% (42/2416) of patients with ICH. There were no differences in crude incidence rates among patients with VKA-ICH, NOAC-ICH and non-OAC-ICH (log-rank p=0.645; VKA-ICH: 27/1406 (1.9%), NOAC-ICH 1/130 (0.8%), non-OAC-ICH 14/880 (1.6%); p=0.577). Detailed analysis according to treatment exposure (days with and without LDSH) revealed no differences in incidence rates of IHC per 1000 patient-days (LDSH: 1.43 (1.04-1.93) vs non-LDSH: 1.32 (0.33-3.58), conditional maximum likelihood incidence rate ratio: 1.09 (0.38-4.43); p=0.953). Secondary outcomes showed differences in functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale=4-6: IHC: 29/37 (78.4%) vs non-IHC: 1213/2048 (59.2%); p=0.019) and mortality (IHC: 14/37 (37.8%) vs non-IHC: 485/2048 (23.7%); p=0.045) in disfavour of patients with IHC. Small ICH volume (OR: volume <4.4 mL: 0.18 (0.04-0.78); p=0.022) and low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission (OR: NIHSS <4: 0.29 (0.11-0.78); p=0.014) were significantly associated with fewer IHC. CONCLUSIONS: Heparin administration for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients with ICH appears to be safe regarding IHC among non-OAC-ICH, VKA-ICH and NOAC-ICH in this observational cohort analysis. Randomised controlled trials are needed to verify the safety and efficacy of heparin compared with other methods for VTE prevention.
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Sprügel et al. (2019) conducted a cohort in Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) (n=2,724). Low-dose subcutaneous heparin (LDSH) vs. No LDSH (days without LDSH) was evaluated on Intracranial haemorrhagic complications (IHC) during hospital stay (IRR 1.09, 95% CI 0.38-4.43, p=0.953). Low-dose subcutaneous heparin prophylaxis in intracerebral haemorrhage did not increase intracranial haemorrhagic complications compared to no heparin (IRR 1.09; 95% CI 0.38-4.43; P=0.953).
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