Medical Treatment for Spontaneous Anticoagulation-Related Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the Netherlands

Background: Spontaneous anticoagulation-related intracerebral hemorrhage accounts for up to a quarter of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage cases and is associated with higher hematoma volume and a worse outcome. Guidelines recommend rapid anticoagulant reversal but mode and timing are not specified and optimal strategy is uncertain. Variability in everyday practice is unknown. Methods: An invitation to a web-based survey was sent to 85 Dutch stroke neurologists in different hospitals, with questions about importance, timing, and medical management of spontaneous anticoagulation-related intracerebral hemorrhage. Results: In total, 61 (72%) neurologists completed the survey. Nearly all (97%) deemed rapid anticoagulant reversal important. A local guideline for management of anticoagulant reversal was used in 80% of the hospitals. Most neurologists (56%) estimated anticoagulant reversal in anticoagulation-related intracerebral hemorrhage to start later than intravenous thrombolysis in ischemic stroke. Few (5%) thought it was quicker. A minority (28%) of the hospitals started anticoagulation reversal without waiting for laboratory test results or consulting a specialist in hemostasis. Prothrombin complex concentrate was used by all neurologists for vitamin K antagonist reversal and by most (74%) for reversal of thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors (72%). Anticoagulation reversal was initiated at the emergency department according to 89% of the respondents. Conclusion: Variability in logistics in acute management of spontaneous anticoagulation-related intracerebral hemorrhage was demonstrated. Anticoagulant reversal is deemed important, but is estimated to have a longer door-to-needle time than alteplase in thrombolysis for ischemic stroke by most neurologists. Several delaying factors were found. These factors might have an impact on outcome. (C) 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.