ANTICOAGULATION-RELATED INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE

We report a series of 40 patients with anticoagulation-related intracerebral hemorrhage. Minor head trauma was most often noted as an additional factor causing the hemorrhage. Overall mortality was 50%. Only noncomatose patients survived. The fate of the surviving patients was quite favorable. Eighteen (90%) recovered completely and only 2 (10%) were left disabled. One third of the patients were anticoagulated without a medical indication. Therefore, the most efficient way to reduce anticoagulation-related cerebral hemorrhages would be to follow today's medical guidelines for anticoagulation treatment more carefully than many physicians do. Treatment of anticoagulation-related cerebral hemorrhage consists in discontinuation of anticoagulation, administration of clotting factors and vitamin K, and surgical drainage of the hematoma in selected cases.