Common Conditions Requiring Long-Term Anticoagulation in Neurosurgical Patients

Long-term anticoagulant therapy prevents thrombosis. Management of neurosurgical patients with conditions such as atrial fibrillation, mechanical heart valves, and other prothrombotic states necessitates application of a strategy to mitigate hemorrhagic complications of anticoagulation. Development of direct oral anticoagulants, which include the direct thrombin and factor X inhibitors, yields new considerations to be had, in particular, the introduction of reversal agents. This article reviews the more common chronic clinical entities that require the use of prolonged anticoagulant therapy with special consideration for neurosurgical patients. It also includes a discussion of established treatment strategies across available treatment options.