Risk Factors for Subdural Bleeding in Elderly Population

• Published in: Collegium antropologicum Vol. 38; no. 4; p. 1195
• Main Authors: Ledić, Darko, Girotto, Dean, Pal, Sven, Kolbah, Barbara
• Format: Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Hrvatsko antropološko društvo 26-12-2014
• Subjects: aged; anticoagulants; comorbidity; intracranial subdural hematoma; trephining
• ISSN: 0350-6134; 1848-9486

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.