Bleeding complications in venous thrombosis patients on well-managed warfarin

Anticoagulation treatment is effective in preventing both death and recurrence in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), but at the same time confers a substantial risk of bleeding complications. The aim of this study was to examine the rate of and predictors for bleeding complications in VTE patients on warfarin with high treatment quality. In total 13,859 patients on warfarin for VTE between January 1st 2006 and December 31th 2011 were retrieved from the national quality register Auricula. The cohort was matched with the Swedish National Patient Register for complications and background characteristics, the Cause of Death Register for date and cause of death and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register for retrieved medication. The rate of major bleeding was 2.36 per 100 treatment years, increasing with age from 1.25 to 4.33 for those under 60 or over 80 years of age, respectively. Factors found to independently increase the risk of bleeding complications were increasing age HR 1.02, cardiac failure HR 1.39, Chronic pulmonary disease HR 1.41, alcohol abuse HR 3.33, anaemia HR 1.75, hypertension HR 1.29 and a history of major bleeding HR 1.69. Warfarin as treatment for VTE is safe with a low rate of bleeding complications at least for the younger patient. In an era of NOAK, warfarin has a comparable safety profile among VTE patients and is still a valid treatment option.