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2020 AF Symposium Abstract
High Hemorrhagic Risk Factors from NOACs
by Steve S. Ryan
NOAC Hemorrhagic Stroke Risk
When I read in this abstract from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, these NOAC findings almost jumped off the page at me! We know that NOACs are high risk meds (though they are certainly better than having an A-Fib stroke). But, add to that, also a high risk of Hemorrhagic risk factors, too?
This is a most important and relevant study for A-Fib patients.
Brain MRI to Detect NOAC Hemorrhagic Stroke Risk
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston used MRI to identify markers of increased intracerebral hemorrhage risk (ICH).
This was a single center study conducted from January 2011 to May 2019. In the study were 282 patients of which 76% had Atrial Fibrillation; Of the 282 patients, 49 were taking NOACs and 233 were taking warfarin. All demographic variables, vascular risk factors, etc. were similar between the two groups.
Study Findings
Analyzing the MRI data of the 282 participants revealed:
• cerebral microbleeds (67%)
• moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities (76%)
• cortical superficial siderosis (excess iron in body tissue) (18%)
In particular, of the 49 patients taking NOACs:
• 97% had at least one of these markers
• 60% had two
• 4% had all three
Conclusion
Established MRI markers of increased ICH (intracerebral hemorrhage) were common in the NOAC study group.
High hemorrhagic risk markers were present in an overwhelming 97% of NOAC patients.
Editor’s Comments:
Does taking a NOAC long-term mean you’ll eventually develop a hemorrhagic stroke?
No, the researchers didn’t go that far. This was a limited study as the number of patients who were on NOACs was 49 compared to those on warfarin which was 233.
Red Flag Warning: But this study should raise a red flag for anyone taking NOACs long term. Almost all patients on NOACs (97% in this study) had “evidence of neuroimaging markers of high ICH risk.”
The authors recommended that prescribers (and patients) look at nonpharmacological stroke prevention methods. Eliminating the need for lifelong NOAC anticoagulation “may decrease the incidence of fatal/disabling hemorrhages in A-Fib patients.”
For more on NOACs and stroke, see my article Anticoagulants Increase Risk of Hemorrhagic-Type Strokes.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Friday, January 22, 2021
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