engleski

Risk Factors for Subdural Bleeding in Elderly Population

In the elderly, a larger proportion of the intracranial bleeds is related to non-traumatic causes or is caused by slight trauma – such that in a younger patient would not be expected to cause a bleed. In clinical practice, there is a prevailing impression that these bleeds, especially subdural hematomas of chronic and sub-chronic duration with or without acutization (evidence of »fresh« bleeding) are in many cases related directly to the use of anticoagulant therapy. A retrospective survey of medical documentation was performed for patients treated at the Neurosurgery Clinic of KBC Rijeka during the period of 2011 and 2012. Statistical analysis showed a signifi cantly greater incidence of spontaneous SDH (subdural hematoma) in patients taking oral anticoagulation therapy (Fisher exact test, p<0.01). In the article 3 typical cases of such patients are also presented. This survey confi rmed the existence of a relationship between oral anticoagulant therapy and SDH, in particular the subgroup of »spontaneous« SDH. A larger study is planned.

aged; intracranial subdural hematoma; anticoagulants; trephining; comorbidity

In the elderly, a larger proportion of the intracranial bleeds is related to non-traumatic causes or is caused by slight trauma – such that in a younger patient would not be expected to cause a bleed. In clinical practice, there is a prevailing impression that these bleeds, especially subdural hematomas of chronic and sub-chronic duration with or without acutization (evidence of »fresh« bleeding) are in many cases related directly to the use of anticoagulant therapy. A retrospective survey of medical documentation was performed for patients treated at the Neurosurgery Clinic of KBC Rijeka during the period of 2011 and 2012. Statistical analysis showed a signifi cantly greater incidence of spontaneous SDH (subdural hematoma) in patients taking oral anticoagulation therapy (Fisher exact test, p<0.01). In the article 3 typical cases of such patients are also presented. This survey confi rmed the existence of a relationship between oral anticoagulant therapy and SDH, in particular the subgroup of »spontaneous« SDH. A larger study is planned.