Mild Head Injury, Antiplatelets, and Anticoagulants

Overview

Approximately 20% of patients with mild head injury presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) is taking antiplatelet agents and 10% is taking oral anticoagulants. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of cerebral hemorrhage in patients presenting to the ED with an MHI. It also aims to determine whether the use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants may be a risk factor for the occurrence of cerebral hemorrhage and mortality. This is a prospective observational study that will include all patients who present to ED at Gemelli Hospital for an MHI for 2 years. Patients will be divided into four groups according to whether or not they are taking anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. Groups will be compared to evaluate the possible increased risk of complications in patients on treatment and among the different medications.

Mild head injury (MHI) is one of the most common causes of emergency department (ED) admission. Approximately 20% of MHI patients admitted to PS with a mild traumatic brain injury is taking antiplatelet medications and 10% is taking oral anticoagulants. There are a few data describing the risk of adverse events in patients with MHI taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), and they are of poor quality. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of cerebral hemorrhage in patients presenting to the ED with an MHI. Moreover, it will be evaluated whether the use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants may be a risk factor for the occurrence of cerebral hemorrhage and mortality. This is a prospective observational study that will include all patients who present to the ED at Gemelli Hospital for an MHI for 2 years. Patients will be divided into four groups according to whether or not they are taking anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. The investigators will then determine the prevalence of cerebral hemorrhage, the need for hospitalization or neurosurgery, and mortality at different follow-up time points for each group. The investigators will compare the groups to assess the potential increased risk in patients on treatment and among drugs. It can be hypothesized that the use of dicumarol anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents for head injury is associated with a higher risk of cerebral hemorrhage than the use of DOACs. It may be, also, hypothesize that patients taking DOACs are at a higher risk of bleeding than patients not treated with antiplatelet/anticoagulant agents.