Do We Need to Repeat the Initially Normal Head Computerized Tomography for Patients with Mild Head Trauma Using Anticoagulant and/or Antiplatelet Therapy?

Authors : Yaşar ÇATAL, Müge GÜNALP, Sinan GENÇ, Ahmet Burak OĞUZ, Ayça KOCA, Onur POLAT

Pages : 122-129

Doi:10.18521/ktd.1167329

View : 16 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 2023-03-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Patients using anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(AC/AP); medications are at an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ICH); subsequent to head trauma and current guidelines recommend a head computed tomography insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CT); scan for these patients. There is a lack of consensus about management recommendations for mild head trauma patients on AC/AP treatment who had an initially normal head CT. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of delayed ICH after a 24-hour observation in patients with mild head trauma using AC/AP who had an initially normal head CT. Method: Patients aged 18 and older, using AC/AP drugs with mild head trauma were included prospectively. Patients underwent head CT for suspected bleeding. A repeat CT scan was performed after a 24-hours observation period for the patients who had an initially normal head CT for detecting delayed intracranial hemorrhage. Result: A total of 101 patients were included and, 57.4% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=58); of the patients were female. Delayed ICH was detected in 2.9% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=3); of the patients after a 24-hour observation. None of the patients with delayed ICH needed surgical treatment or further intervention. Delayed ICH was found in patients who used acetylsalicylic acid insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=1);, dabigatran insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=1);, and apixaban insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=1);. Conclusion: In patients with mild head trauma using AC/AP, delayed intracranial hemorrhage is rare and may be clinically insignificant. A repeat CT scanning after 24-hour observation may not be necessary for patients with mild head trauma using AC/AP therapy who had initially normal head CT.
Keywords : Antikoagülan ilaçlar, antiplatelet ilaçlar, kafa travması, intrakraniyal kanama