Frequency of hemorrhagic complications on abdominal CT in patients with warfarin therapy

Clin Imaging. 2016 May-Jun;40(3):435-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2015.12.005. Epub 2015 Dec 18.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of hemorrhagic complications on abdominal computed tomography (CT) in patients with warfarin therapy and its correlation with intensity of anticoagulation.

Materials and methods: We included 646 patients who received warfarin therapy with international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 3.0 and abdominal CT within 1month after INR measurement.

Results: Seventy-four patients (11.5%) showed hemorrhagic complications on abdominal CT. Frequency of hemorrhagic complications significantly correlated with intensity of anticoagulation (P<.001).

Conclusion: Hemorrhagic complications on abdominal CT in patients with warfarin therapy were not rare, and it occurred more frequently in patients with higher INR.

Keywords: Abdominal CT; Hemorrhagic complications; International normalized ratio (INR); Warfarin therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemorrhage / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • International Normalized Ratio
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Warfarin / adverse effects*
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Warfarin