Risk of cerebral haemorrhage in patients treated with antithrombotic drugs. Focus on new oral anticoaguants

Abstract

Antithrombotic drugs represent one of the leading pharmacological category used in clinical practice, especially in cardiovascular setting. Their demonstrated antithrombotic efficacy has been fundamental in the improvement of the management of many diseases related to athero-thrombotic or thromboembolic risk in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events. Nonetheless, they are also associated with a not negligible haemorrhagic risk. Among these risks, intracranial bleeding represents the most feared, and should be kept in mind, prevented when possible and adequately managed when occurs. In this article the intracranial haemorrhagic risk associated to drugs vitamin K antagonists and new oral anticoagulants is reviewed.