In patients with cerebral metastases is anticoagulation therapy for thromboembolic disease associated with an increased risk of cerebral haemorrhage?
Burrows E
Record ID 32003000695
English
Authors' objectives:
This aim of this report was to assess the risk of cerebral haemorrhage in patients with cerebral metastases receiving anticoagulation for thromboembolic complications.
Authors' recommendations:
- The only evidence available on the risk of cerebral haemorrhage in patients with brain metastases anticoagulated for for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) comes from a single retrospective comparative study (level III.2 evidence). In this observational study of 42 patients, three patients experienced severe cerebral haemorrhages while being anticoagulated, an incidence rate of 7.1% (95% CI:1.5 to 19.5). Since the decision to treat patients with anticoagulants or inferior vena cava filters was made on the basis of perceived contraindications to anticoagulants and various combinations and dosages of anticoagulation were administered, the findings from this study would not be considered reliable or generalisable.
- Two other studies (also retrospective comparative studies) that were identified included patients with either primary or metastic brain cancer, but there was insufficient data reported to make it possible to determine the risk of cerebral haemorrhage with anticoagulation in the group with metastatic brain cancer. Even if this information had been available, similar reservations on the reliability and generalisability of this evidence would apply.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.med.monash.edu.au/healthservices/cce/evidence/
Year Published:
2001
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Australia
MeSH Terms
- Brain Neoplasms
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Thromboembolism
- Anticoagulants
Contact
Organisation Name:
Centre for Clinical Effectiveness
Contact Address:
Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Block E, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9594 7505; Fax: +61 3 9594 7552.
Contact Name:
cce@med.monash.edu.au.
Contact Email:
cce@med.monash.edu.au.
Copyright:
Centre for Clinical Effectiveness (CCE)
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