Hemorrhagic risk and intracranial complications in patients with minor head injury (MHI) taking different oral anticoagulants.

The correlation between direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or Vitamin K Antagonist (VKAs) intake and the incidence of intracranial complications after minor head injury (MHI) is still object of debate: preliminary observation seems to demonstrate lower incidence in intracranial bleeding complications (ICH) in patients taking DOACs than VKA. METHODS. This prospective and observational study was performed to clarify the incidence of ICH in patients in DOACs compared to VKAs. Between January 2016 and April 2018 we have recorded in our ED patients with MHI taking oral anticoagulants. Their hemorragic risk score was calculated and recorded for each patient (Has Bled, Atria and Orbit). RESULTS A total of 402 patients with MHI taking anticoagulant were collected: 226 were receiving one of the four DOACs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban or edoxaban) while 176 patients were in therapy with VKA. The rate of intracranial complications was significantly lower in patients receiving DOACs than in patients treated with VKA (p < 0.01). In the VKA group two patients died because of intracranial bleeding. No deaths were recorded in the DOACs group. DISCUSSION patients with MHI who take DOACs have a significant lower incidence of intracranial bleeding complications than those treated with vitamin k antagonists. This statement is supported by the observation that the hemorrhagic risk, measured according to the chosen scores, was similar between the two groups.

Intracranial complications after minor head injury (MHI) in patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

INTRODUCTION: The correlation between chronic direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) intake and the incidence of intracranial complications after minor head injury (MHI) is still not well defined. This study examined the incidence of complications in patients receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or DOACs observed in the emergency department (ED) for MHI. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-five patients affected by MHI and receiving oral anticoagulants were recorded between January and December 2016, distinguishing those treated with VKA (118) from those receiving DOACs (107). All patients underwent a CT scan and were observed for 24h in the ED. Follow-up was performed up to 1month after the head trauma. RESULTS: The rate of intracranial hemorrhage was significantly lower in patients treated with DOACs than in patients treated with VKA. We recorded 2 deaths among the 12 patients who experienced intracranial complications in the VKA group. DISCUSSION: DOACs seem to have a more favorable safety profile than VKA in patients affected by MHI. This observation is important in light of the increasing number of elderly patients who are receiving anticoagulant therapy.

Cutaneous metastasis from primary gastric cancer: a case report and review of the literature.

Cutaneous metastases of internal neoplasms are uncommon. They can be metachronous or synchronous to the primary tumor and typically appear late in the course of advanced malignant disease. Gastric cancer rarely is reported as a cause of cutaneous metastasis; the most common metastatic sites are the liver, peritoneal cavity, and lymph nodes. We report a case of cutaneous metastasis from a primary gastric tumor that had been treated 6 years prior. There was no visceral invasion. The patient was treated successfully via a relaparotomy to exclude any macroscopic abdominal recurrence and complete excision of the lesion with a plastic flap to compensate for the tissue lost in the resection. Treatment plans vary depending on the diameter and number of lesions, the presence of visceral metastases, and the physical status of the patient. Therapy generally includes local excision, irradiation, or chemotherapy.