Safety and Efficacy of Warfarin Reversal with Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Subtherapeutic INR in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The use of vitamin K antagonists is an independent risk factor for the development of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) is recommended for urgent reversal of anticoagulation in this setting. The safety and efficacy of 4F-PCC in ICH with subtherapeutic levels of anticoagulation is yet to be determined. This was a retrospective, observational study of 4F-PCC administration data from September 2013 to July 2015. Patients with spontaneous or traumatic ICH with initial INR 1.4-1.9 were compared to those with INR 2-3.9. A Fisher's exact test was used to compare the difference between the two groups in the effectiveness of 4F-PCC in reversing the INR to ae<currency>1.3 and in the occurrence of thrombotic events within 7 days of administration. A total of 131 patients with a presenting INR between 1.4 and 3.9 received 4F-PCC during the study period. Twenty-three of 29 patients (79 %) in the INR < 2 group achieved an INR reduction to ae<currency>1.3 after 4F-PCC administration compared to 47 of 92 patients (51 %) in the INR 2-4 group, p = 0.03. There was no difference in thrombotic complications within 7 days after administration (6.7 % in INR 1.4-1.9 group, 10 % in INR 2-3.9 group, p = 0.73). The use of 4F-PCC in patients with INR between 1.4 and 1.9 results in an effective reduction in INR with similar thrombotic risks compared to patients presenting with an INR of 2-3.9.