Routine Repeat Head CT Does Not Change Management in Trauma Patients on Novel Anticoagulants

Guidelines for imaging anticoagulated patients following a traumatic injury are unclear. Interval CT head (CTH) is often routinely performed after initial negative CTH to assess for delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH-d). The rate of ICH-d for patients taking novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is unknown. We hypothesized that the incidence of ICH-d in patients on NOACs would be similar, if not lower to that of warfarin, and routine repeat CTH after initial negative would not change management, and thus, may not be indicated.

Anticoagulated patients presenting with blunt trauma to a level I trauma center between 2016 and 2018 were evaluated. Exclusion criteria included: positive initial CTH and those taking nonoral anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents alone (without warfarin or NOAC). Outcomes included: ICH-d, discharge GCS, administration of reversal agents, neurosurgical intervention, readmission, and death. Multivariable regression was performed to evaluate patient factors associated with the development of ICH-d.

A total of 332 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into a warfarin group (n = 191) and NOAC group (n = 141). The incidence of ICH-d in the warfarin group was 2.6% (5/191) and 2.1% (3/141) in the NOAC group (P = 0.77). There were no reversal agents administered, neurosurgical interventions, readmissions, or deaths in the NOAC group.

Little is known about the impact of NOACs in the setting of trauma, especially regarding risks of ICH-d following traumatic injury. In the NOAC group, ICH-d occurred only 2.1% of the time. In addition, there were no reversal agents given, neurosurgical interventions, or deaths. These data, taken together, suggest the limited utility of repeat imaging in this patient population.