Comparison of Novel Oral Anticoagulants and Vitamin K Antagonists in Patients With Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis on Efficacy and Safety: A Systematic Review

Direct oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin in long-term management of cerebral venous thrombosis: A comprehensive meta-analysis

Objectives

We compared the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) with those of warfarin in the long-term (≥6 months) treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Methods

We searched electronic databases up to November 2023 to compare the use of DOACs and warfarin in CVT management. Modified Rankin scores (mRS), new intracranial hemorrhage, all-cause mortality, recurrence and nonrecanalisation events were used to assess outcome. RevMan v5.4 software and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method were utilized to analyse data.

Results

A total of 25 studies involving 2301 patients were identified as having treated CVT with either DOACs or warfarin. Good long-term mRS scores 0-2 (risk ratio [RR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.98-1.03; p = 0.61), new intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.48-2.08; p = 0.99), all-cause mortality (RR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.50-1.98; p = 0.99), nonrecanalisation (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.77-1.18; p = 0.65) and recurrence venous thrombosis events (RR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.33-1.22; p = 0.17) were similar between the two treatment arms. Subgroup analysis found recurrence of venous thrombosis was lower in the rivaroxaban group compared to warfarin (2.2% vs. 8.5%, RR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.11-0.98; p = 0.05).

Conclusion

DOACs and warfarin provide comparable long-term safety and efficacy profiles. DOACs may be preferred over warfarin due to their ease of clinical management.

Cerebral venous thrombosis: a practical review

The evolution of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 pandemic and its vaccination raised more attention to cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Although CVT is less prevalent than arterial stroke, it results in larger years of life lost. CVT is more common in women and young patients. Predisposing factors are categorized as transient factors such as pregnancy, puerperium, oral contraceptive pills, trauma, and dehydration; and permanent factors such as neoplastic, vasculitic, thrombophilic, hematologic conditions, infectious causes such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection and HIV. The most common manifestations are headache, seizures, focal neurologic deficits, altered level of consciousness, and cranial nerve palsies. The most common syndromes are stroke-like, raised-intracranial-pressure (ICP), isolated-headache, and encephalopathy, which may have overlaps. Diagnosis is mostly based on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and their respective venous sequences, supported by blood results abnormalities such as D-dimer elevation. Treatment includes the prevention of propagation of current thrombus with anticoagulation (heparin, or low molecular weight heparinoids and then warfarin, or direct oral anticoagulants), decreasing ICP (even by decompressive craniotomy), and treatment of specific underlying diseases.

Efficacy and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Current guidelines recommend the standard-of-care anticoagulation (vitamin K antagonists or low-molecular-weight heparin) in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Herein, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with the current standard of care in patients with CVT. We systematically searched the PubMed and Embase databases up to December 2023 to identify clinical trials on the effect of DOACs in patients with CVT. A Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects model was applied, and the effect measures were expressed as the absolute risk differences (RDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 4 RCTs involving 270 participants were included. In the pooled analysis, DOACs and standard of care had low incidence rates of recurrent VTE and all-cause death, and similar rates of any recanalization (78.2% vs 83.2%; RD = -4%, 95%CI:-14% to 5%) and complete recanalization (60.9% vs 69.4%; RD = -7%, 95%CI:-24% to 10%). Compared with the standard of care, DOACs had non-significant reductions in the rates of major bleeding (1.2% vs 2.4%; RD = -1%, 95%CI: -6% to 3%), intracranial hemorrhage (1.9% vs 3.6%; RD = -2%, 95%CI:-7% to 3%), clinically relevant non-major bleeding (3.8% vs 7.4%; RD = -4%, 95%CI:-9% to 2%), and any bleeding (17.3% vs 21.4%; RD = -4%, 95%CI:-16% to 8%) in patients with CVT. DOACs and standard of care showed similar efficacy and safety profiles for the treatment of CVT. DOACs might be safe and a convenient alternative to vitamin K antagonists for thromboprophylaxis in patients with CVT.

Endovascular and Medical Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Management of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) involves minimizing expansion of the thrombus and promoting the recanalization of the venous sinus. While current guidelines include indications of endovascular management and anticoagulation with heparin and warfarin, the use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has increased. In this study, we aim to conduct a network meta-analysis comparing these 3 therapeutic options: standard anticoagulation, DOACs, and endovascular treatments (EVTs).

METHODS

Seventeen of 2265 studies identified from 4 publication databases met inclusion criteria for this network meta-analysis. Outcomes analyzed included modified Rankin Scale score, complications, mortality, and 6-month recanalization rates using a frequentist network meta-analysis approach. For each outcome, the preferential order of each intervention was ranked hierarchically based on P-score calculations used for frequentist network meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Modified Rankin Scale outcomes were not significantly different based on the type of treatment modality (i.e., standard anticoagulation, DOACs, or EVT). Evaluation of complications demonstrated that patients treated with EVT were significantly more likely to experience a worse outcome than individuals treated with standard anticoagulation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.83, P = 0.04). Other comparisons did not demonstrate a significant difference in adverse events. For all-cause mortality outcomes, EVT demonstrated significantly greater odds of mortality than standard anticoagulation (OR = 1.89, P = 0.02). Mortality between DOACs and standard anticoagulation was not significantly different. When comparing 6-month recanalization rates, DOACs and EVT were significantly more effective than standard anticoagulation (OR = 1.93, OR = 2.2, P < 0.05). EVT followed by DOACs was preferred over standard anticoagulation for 6-month recanalization rates.

CONCLUSIONS

This network meta-analysis evaluates the outcomes in CVT treatment, comparing standard anticoagulation, DOACs, and EVT, with evidence that DOACs have similar outcomes to standard anticoagulation in the treatment of CVT. EVT resulted in an increased risk of overall mortality but improved 6-month recanalization rates.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

High level evidence for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis is lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of DOACs versus vitamin K antagonists in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

METHODS

This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021228800). We searched MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Web of Science Core Collection between January 1, 2007 and Feb 22, 2022. Search terms included a combination of keywords and controlled vocabulary terms for cerebral venous thrombosis, vitamin K antagonists/warfarin, and DOACs. We included both randomized and nonrandomized studies that compared vitamin K antagonists and DOACs in 5 or more patients with cerebral venous thrombosis. Where studies were sufficiently similar, we performed meta-analyses for efficacy (recurrent venous thromboembolism and complete recanalization) and safety (major hemorrhage) outcomes, using relative risks (RRs).

RESULTS

Out of 10 665 records identified, we screened 254 as potentially eligible. Nineteen studies (16 observational studies [n=1735] and 3 randomized controlled trials [n=215]) met the inclusion criteria. All 3 randomized controlled trials had some concerns, and all 16 observational studies had at least moderate risk of bias. When compared with vitamin K antagonist treatment, DOAC had comparable risks of recurrent venous thromboembolism (relative risk [RR], 0.85 [95% CI, 0.52-1.37], I²=0%), major hemorrhage (RR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.40-1.21], I²=0%), intracranial hemorrhage (RR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.30-1.12]; I²=0%), death (RR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.54-2.43], I²=1%), and complete venous recanalization (RR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.87-1.11]; I²=0%).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis, DOACs, and warfarin may have comparable efficacy and safety. Given the limitations of the studies included (low number of randomized controlled trials, modest total sample size, rare outcome events), our findings should be interpreted with caution pending confirmation by ongoing randomized controlled trials and large, prospective, observational studies.

Efficacy and safety of the direct oral anti-coagulants in patients with cerebral vein thrombosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the standard oral anti-coagulant treatment for patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). However, the direct oral anti-coagulants (DOACs) started replacing VKAs also in this setting. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of the DOACs for CVT treatment. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO protocol registration number CRD42020191472). The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched from inception to January 2022. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies, enrolling at least 10 adult patients with CVT treated with any DOACs. Twenty-three studies were included, for a total of 618 CVT patients treated with DOACs (treatment duration range 3-12 months). Mortality rate was 1.76% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70%-3.24%; I²  = 0%; 5/428 patients, 18 studies]; major bleeding 2.41% (95% CI 1.26%-3.91%; I²  = 1.5%; 12/534 patients, 21 studies); recurrent thrombosis 2.05% (95% CI 1.04%-3.37%; I²  = 0%; 10/577 patients, 21 studies); excellent neurological outcome 85.9% (95% CI 79.0%-91.7%; I²  = 63.7%; 289/340 patients, 13 studies); vessel recanalisation 89.0% (95% CI 82.9%-93.9%; I²  = 62.7%; 316/359 patients, 16 studies). No significant differences emerged by study design (RCTs vs. observational studies) or by treatment (DOACs vs. VKAs). This systematic review showed that the DOACs might represent a reasonable oral anti-coagulant treatment option for CVT patients.

Safety and efficacy of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in cerebral venous thrombosis: A meta-analysis

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is caused by partial or complete occlusion of the major cerebral venous sinuses or the smaller feeding cortical veins which predispose to the risk of venous infarction and hemorrhage. Current guidelines recommend treating CVT with either low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) followed by an oral vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for 3-12 months. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have already established benefit over warfarin as a long-term treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolic disorder like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) given its equal efficacy and better safety profile. The benefit of DOACs over warfarin as a long-term anticoagulation for CVT has likewise been extensively studied, yet it has not been approved as first-line therapy in the current practice. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies to generate robust evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of DOACs in CVT. This meta-analysis demonstrates that the use of DOACs in CVT has similar efficacy and safety compared to VKAs with better recanalization rate.

Venous Injury in Patients with Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury: Retrospective Analysis of a National Cohort

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous injury (CVI) includes injury to a dural venous sinus or major vein and leads to poorer outcomes for patients with blunt traumatic brain injury (TBI). We sought to identify the incidence, associated factors, and outcomes associated with CVI in a large national cohort.

METHODS

Adult patients with blunt TBI were identified from the National Trauma Databank (2013-2017). Outcomes included inpatient mortality, discharge disposition, stroke, length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Multivariate regression models were used to identify the association between exposure variables and CVI, as well as each outcome.

RESULTS

There were 619,659 patients with blunt TBI who met the inclusion criteria. CVI occurred in 1792 (0.3%) patients. Mixed intracranial injury type had the strongest association with CVI (odds ratio [OR] 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.38-3.50), followed by isolated TBI (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.54-2.02) and skull fracture (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.55-1.91). CVI was associated with increased odds of mortality (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.19-1.60), nonroutine discharge (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.12-1.40), and stroke (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.33-2.86). It was also associated with longer LOS (β 2.02, 95% CI 1.55-2.50) and intensive care unit LOS (β 0.14, 95% CI 0.13-0.16). Among locations of venous injury, superior sagittal sinus injury had significant associations with mortality (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.62-5.30) and nonroutine discharge disposition (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.12-3.35), whereas the others did not.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a 0.3% incidence of CVI in all-comers with blunt TBI as well as several injury-related variables that may be used to guide investigation for dural venous sinus injury. CVI was associated with poorer outcomes, with superior sagittal sinus injury having the strongest association.

[Diagnostic and treatment recommendations from the FACME ad-hoc expert working group on the management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19 vaccination]

INTRODUCTION

Cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis have been reported in individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 with non-replicating adenoviral vector vaccines. We issue our recommendations on the diagnosis and management of patients presenting this complication.

METHOD

The multidisciplinary working group, led by the Spanish Federation of Medical and Scientific Associations and including representatives of several scientific societies, reviewed the available evidence from the literature and reports of the European Medicines Agency. We establish a definition for suspected cases and issue diagnostic and treatment recommendations regarding vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia.

RESULTS

We define suspected cases as those cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis occurring between 3 and 21 days after the administration of non-replicating adenoviral vector vaccines, in patients with a platelet count below 150,000/μL or presenting a decrease of 50% with respect to the previous value. Findings suggestive of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia include the presence of antibodies to platelet factor 4, D-dimer levels 4 times greater than the upper limit of normal, and unexplained thrombosis. The recommended treatment includes intravenous administration of non-specific human immunoglobulin or alternatively plasmapheresis, avoiding the use of heparin, instead employing argatroban, bivalirudin, fondaparinux, rivaroxaban, or apixaban for anticoagulation, and avoiding platelet transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-replicating adenoviral vector vaccines may be associated with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia; it is important to treat the dysimmune phenomenon and the cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Diagnostic and treatment recommendations from the FACME ad-hoc expert working group on the management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19 vaccination

INTRODUCTION

Cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis have been reported in individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 with non-replicating adenoviral vector vaccines. We issue our recommendations on the diagnosis and management of patients presenting this complication.

METHODS

The multidisciplinary working group, led by the Spanish Federation of Medical and Scientific Associations (FACME) and including representatives of several scientific societies, reviewed the available evidence from the literature and reports of the European Medicines Agency. We establish a definition for suspected cases and issue diagnostic and treatment recommendations regarding vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia.

RESULTS

We define suspected cases as those cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis occurring between 3 and 21 days after the administration of non-replicating adenoviral vector vaccines, in patients with a platelet count below 150 000/μL or presenting a decrease of 50% with respect to the previous value. Findings suggestive of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopaenia include the presence of antibodies to platelet factor 4, D-dimer levels 4 times greater than the upper limit of normal, and unexplained thrombosis. The recommended treatment includes intravenous administration of non-specific human immunoglobulin or alternatively plasmapheresis, avoiding the use of heparin, instead employing argatroban, bivalirudin, fondaparinux, rivaroxaban, or apixaban for anticoagulation, and avoiding platelet transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-replicating adenoviral vector vaccines may be associated with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia; it is important to treat the dysimmune phenomenon and the cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.