Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and risk of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage in patients with ischemic stroke: An analysis using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

BACKGROUND

The impact of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) on the treatment of ischemic stroke remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the risk of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in ischemic stroke patients using different NOACs versus warfarin.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2011 to 2019. Adults with ischemic stroke and no prior sICH or gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding before anticoagulant initiation were included. Patients were grouped by anticoagulant type. Outcomes included sICH, GI bleeding, in-hospital mortality, and all-cause mortality. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and odds ratios (aORs) were estimated using Cox and logistic regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

Among 3783 patients, those using dabigatran or edoxaban alone, or in combination with other NOACs, had a reduced risk of in-hospital mortality (aOR = 0.52, 0.52, and 0.57, respectively). Patients using rivaroxaban or apixaban alone had a lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (aHR = 0.68 and 0.64, respectively). Patients using rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or edoxaban alone, or in combination, had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (aHR = 0.78, 0.54, 0.49, and 0.51, respectively). In contrast, patients using apixaban alone or in combination with other NOACs had a higher risk of sICH (aHR = 1.38 and 2.12, respectively). Short-term NOAC use (≤30 days) was associated with increased sICH risk, whereas long-term use (>90 days) of rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or apixaban was associated with a reduced risk.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate selection and long-term use (over 90 days) of NOACs for ischemic stroke patients may improve outcomes.