High prevalence of inappropriate antithrombotic use in patients with symptomatic chronic subdural hematomas: should our focus be on preventing the subdural tsunami?

Abstract

Objective: Antithrombotic (AT) therapy is frequently prescribed to patients for stroke prevention, atrial fibrillation, or other purposes, but it is a potential risk factor for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) development and growth. Premorbid AT use is common among patients who present with cSDH requiring treatment. The authors assessed the prevalence of AT use outside established clinical guidelines among patients who underwent cSDH treatment at three academic hospitals.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective review of patients with cSDH who underwent surgical intervention and/or middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) between 2019 and 2024. Demographic data, presenting clinical and radiographic findings, and AT indications and types were extracted. Appropriateness of AT use was assessed according to clinical guidelines.

Results: The cohort comprised 148 patients (77% male; mean age 74.96 ± 10.37 years) who underwent evacuation surgery alone (66.9%), MMAE (18.9%), or surgery with MMAE (14.2%). At presentation, the mean maximum hematoma thickness was 18.83 ± 6.5 mm, and 87.8% of patients had a midline shift. The most common indications for AT use were atrial fibrillation (27.0%) and coronary artery disease (24.3%). Antiplatelet monotherapy had been prescribed premorbidly to 58.1% of patients, anticoagulation monotherapy to 28.4%, and both to 13.5%. AT agents included aspirin (47.3%), direct oral anticoagulants (20.9%), warfarin (18.9%), dual antiplatelet therapy (18.2%), clopidogrel (7.4%), and therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin (3.4%). Per clinical guidelines, 31.1% of patients were found to be inappropriately on AT therapy. Specific AT agents were not found to be associated with inappropriate AT consumption. Multivariable analysis identified cardiac stents (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.05-14.88; p = 0.042) and primary and secondary stroke prevention (OR 10.59, 95% CI 3.20-35.09; p = 0.001) as indications associated with inappropriate AT use. Conversely, atrial fibrillation was associated with a lower likelihood of inappropriate AT use (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03-0.85; p = 0.031).

Conclusions: In this study, nearly one-third of patients requiring treatment for cSDH were found to be inappropriately using AT medications, with primary and secondary stroke prevention and cardiac stents identified as independent predictors of such use. Greater vigilance among care teams is essential to address the burden of inappropriate AT use and potentially prevent the development of cSDH.