Managing Bleeding With Anticoagulants
full update January 2025
This FAQ provides information to help clinicians manage and prevent bleeding with anticoagulants. Topics addressed include preprocedural/
presurgical washout, lab assessment of bleeding risk, reversal agents, management of nuisance bleeding, and restarting anticoagulants after a bleed.
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Question |
Answer/Pertinent Information |
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What preprocedural/presurgical washout is recommended for each anticoagulant? (See footnote c regarding Thrombosis Canada guidance.) |
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What blood tests might help assess the patient’s anticoagulant-associated bleeding risk? |
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What are the reversal options for oral direct factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban)? |
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What are the reversal options for dabigatran? |
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What are the reversal options for dalteparin? |
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What are the reversal options for enoxaparin? |
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What are the reversal options for fondaparinux? |
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What are the reversal options for heparin (unfractionated)? |
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What are the reversal options for warfarin? |
OR
*Dosing based on Kcentra (US). |
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What strategies can be used to maximize benefit while minimizing bleeding risk for patients who need an anticoagulant? |
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How should bleeding be managed in the outpatient setting? |
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Which patients should receive VTE prophylaxis during an admission for a major bleed? |
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When should oral anticoagulants be restarted after a major bleed? |
General considerations
GI bleeding
Intracerebral hemorrhage
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When should GI prophylaxis be considered? |
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Which oral anticoagulants are preferred after a major bleed? |
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What if anticoagulation is not restarted prior to discharge? |
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How should anticoagulation monitoring be enhanced following a major bleed? |
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- Andexanet alfa: In an open-label study, 82% of patients had good or excellent hemostasis at 12 hours, with some achieving hemostasis within one hour.18,19 Use poses risk of infusion reactions (18%) and thrombosis (10%; restart anticoagulation as soon as appropriate).15,16,29 Despite some cohort data suggesting lower mortality, other evidence does not support superiority of andexanet alfa over usual care (e.g., 4-factor PCC) in regard to meaningful clinical benefit, and it may pose a higher thrombosis risk.20,21,25-27,29,31 In ICH, it seems to restore hemostasis faster than usual care, but increases ischemic stroke and perhaps MI risk without improving survival or functional status.20,29 Consider for patients with severe bleeding and no history of thromboembolic events, or ICH with early presentation and rapid bleed expansion.20,30 Prep/administration time is longer than for 4-factor PCC.27
- Idarucizumab: Generally preferred over PCC although proof of superiority is lacking.28,30,31 Cohort data suggest complete reversal of dabigatran’s effect on clotting tests within four hours. Median time to hemostasis in bleeding patients was 2.5 hours (secondary endpoint). Median time to initiation of surgery/invasive procedure was 1.6 hours [Evidence level B-3].24 Use poses 4% to 5% risk of thrombosis.28 Dabigatran can be restarted as soon as 24 hrs after idarucizumab.15,16
- Recommendations in chart may differ from Thrombosis Canada guidelines: https://thrombosiscanada.ca/clinical_guides/pdfs/PERIOPERATIVEMANAGEMENTOFPATIE_81.pdf.
- Protamine adverse effects include hypotension and bradycardia, which can be minimized by slow IV administration (5 mg/min).6,32 Anaphylaxis may also occur.6 Pretreatment with corticosteroids and diphenhydramine may be considered for patients with risk factors for anaphylaxis (e.g., fish allergy, vasectomy [protamine is derived from fish sperm], exposure to protamine-containing insulin).6
- Fixed dose Kcentra appears to safer and more effective, costs less, and gets to the patient faster than weight-based dosing for factor Xa-inhibitor and warfarin reversal.37
- CHA2DS2-VASc score: CHF = 1 point; Hypertension = 1 point; Age 75 or older = 2 points; Diabetes = 1 point; prior Stroke, TIA, or thromboembolism = 2 points; Vascular disease (aortic plaque, peripheral artery disease, or history of MI) = 1 point; Age 65 to 74 years = 1 point; Sex category female = 1 point.28 An online calculator is available at https://www.mdcalc.com/cha2ds2-vasc-score-atrial-fibrillation-stroke-risk.
Abbreviations: ACT = activated clotting time; A-fib = atrial fibrillation; DMPA = depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injection; CrCl = creatinine clearance; DOAC = direct-acting oral anticoagulant; GI = gastrointestinal; ICH = intracranial hemorrhage; ICU = intensive care unit; INR = international normalized ratio; IV = intravenous; LNG-IUD = levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device; LMWH = low-molecular-weight heparin; NSAID = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PCC = prothrombin complex concentrate; PPI = proton pump inhibitor; SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; UFH = unfractionated heparin; VTE = venous thromboembolism.
Levels of Evidence
In accordance with our goal of providing Evidence-Based information, we are citing the LEVEL OF EVIDENCE for the clinical recommendations we publish.
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Level |
Definition |
Study Quality |
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A |
Good-quality patient-oriented evidence.* |
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B |
Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence.* |
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C |
Consensus; usual practice; expert opinion; disease-oriented evidence (e.g., physiologic or surrogate endpoints); case series for studies of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or screening. |
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*Outcomes that matter to patients (e.g., morbidity, mortality, symptom improvement, quality of life).
[Adapted from Ebell MH, Siwek J, Weiss BD, et al. Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT): a patient-centered approach to grading evidence in the medical literature. Am Fam Physician 2004;69:548-56. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/0201/p548.html.]
References
- Verma A, Ha ACT, Rutka JT, Verma S. What Surgeons Should Know About Non-Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants: A Review. JAMA Surg. 2018 Jun 1;153(6):577-585.
- Douketis JD, Spyropoulos AC, Murad MH, et al. Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy: An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Chest. 2022 Nov;162(5):e207-e243.
- Doherty JU, Gluckman TJ, Hucker WJ, et al. 2017 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Periprocedural Management of Anticoagulation in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Clinical Expert Consensus Document Task Force. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 Feb 21;69(7):871-898.
- University of Washington. UW Medicine Pharmacy Services. Anticoagulation Services. Guidelines for use of fondaparinux. https://sites.uw.edu/anticoag/drugs/fondaparinux/. (Accessed January 8, 2025).
- Tomaselli GF, Mahaffey KW, Cuker A, et al. 2020 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on Management of Bleeding in Patients on Oral Anticoagulants: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020 Aug 4;76(5):594-622. Erratum in: J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Jun 1;77(21):2760.
- Clinical Pharmacology powered by ClinicalKey. Tampa (FL): Elsevier. 2024. http://www.clinicalkey.com. (Accessed January 8, 2025).
- University of Washington. Guidelines for reversal of anticoagulants. April 2020. https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/sites.uw.edu/dist/8/9473/files/2020/10/GUIDELINES-FOR-REVERSAL-OF-ANTICOAGULANTS.pdf. (Accessed January 11, 2025).
- Product information for Eliquis. Pfizer. New York, NY 10017. April 2021.
- Product monograph for Eliquis. Pfizer Canada. Kirkland, QC H9J 2M5. October 2019.
- Product monograph for Xarelto. Bayer. Mississauga, ON L4W 5R6. March 2024.
- Castillo R, Chan A, Atallah S, et al. Treatment of adults with intracranial hemorrhage on apixaban or rivaroxaban with prothrombin complex concentrate products. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2021 Jan;51(1):151-158. Erratum in: J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2021 Jan;51(1):246.
- Bitonti MT, Rumbarger RL, Absher RK, Curran LM. Prospective Evaluation of a Fixed-Dose 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Protocol for Urgent Vitamin K Antagonist Reversal. J Emerg Med. 2020 Feb;58(2):324-329.
- Cuker A, Burnett A, Triller D, et al. Reversal of direct oral anticoagulants: Guidance from the Anticoagulation Forum. Am J Hematol. 2019 Jun;94(6):697-709.
- Thrombosis Canada. DOACs: management of bleeding. August 8, 2024. https://thrombosiscanada.ca/clinical_guides/pdfs/MANAGEMENTOFBLEEDINGINPATIENTS_80.pdf. (Accessed January 8, 2025).
- Product information for Andexxa. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. Wilmington, DE 19850. March 2023.
- Product monograph for Ondexxya. AstraZeneca Canada. Mississauga, ON L4Y 1M4 June 2023.
- Benz AP, Xu L, Eikelboom JW, et al. Andexanet Alfa for Specific Anticoagulation Reversal in Patients with Acute Bleeding during Treatment with Edoxaban. Thromb Haemost. 2022 Jun;122(6):998-1005.
- Connolly SJ, Crowther M, Eikelboom JW, et al. Full Study Report of Andexanet Alfa for Bleeding Associated with Factor Xa Inhibitors. N Engl J Med. 2019 Apr 4;380(14):1326-1335.
- Connolly SJ, Milling TJ Jr, Eikelboom JW, et al. Andexanet Alfa for Acute Major Bleeding Associated with Factor Xa Inhibitors. N Engl J Med. 2016 Sep 22;375(12):1131-41.
- Huttner HB, Gerner ST, Kuramatsu JB, et al. Hematoma Expansion and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Factor-Xa Inhibitor-Related Atraumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage Treated Within the ANNEXA-4 Trial Versus Real-World Usual Care. Stroke. 2022 Feb;53(2):532-543.
- Estroff JM, Devlin J, Hoteit L, et al. Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate is not inferior to andexanet alfa for the reversal or oral factor Xa inhibitors: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024 Oct 1;97(4):541-545.
- Product information for Praxbind. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. Ridgefield, CT 06877. November 2023.
- Product monograph for Praxbind. Boehringer Ingelheim. Burlington, ON L7L 5H4. April 2019.
- Pollack CV Jr, Reilly PA, van Ryn J, et al. Idarucizumab for Dabigatran Reversal - Full Cohort Analysis. N Engl J Med. 2017 Aug 3;377(5):431-441.
- Dobesh PP, Fermann GJ, Christoph MJ, et al. Lower mortality with andexanet alfa vs 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for factor Xa inhibitor-related major bleeding in a U.S. hospital-based observational study. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2023 Aug 30;7(6):102192.
- Cohen AT, Lewis M, Connor A, et al. Thirty-day mortality with andexanet alfa compared with prothrombin complex concentrate therapy for life-threatening direct oral anticoagulant-related bleeding. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2022 Mar 5;3(2):e12655.
- Troyer C, Nguyen W, Xie A, Wimer D. Retrospective review of Andexanet Alfa versus 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for reversal of DOAC-Associated Intracranial Hemorrhage. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2023 Jan;55(1):149-155.
- Bekka E, Liakoni E. Anticoagulation reversal (vitamin K, prothrombin complex concentrates, idarucizumab, andexanet-α, protamine). Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2024 Jun 26. doi: 10.1111/bcp. 16142.
- Connolly SJ, Sharma M, Cohen AT, et al. Andexanet for Factor Xa Inhibitor-Associated Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage. N Engl J Med. 2024 May 16;390(19):1745-1755.
- Mithoowani S, Bungard T, Castellucci L, et al. Multidisciplinary Expert Guidance for the Management of Severe Bleeding on Oral Anticoagulation: An Algorithm for Practicing Clinicians. Thromb Haemost. 2024 Dec 13. doi: 10.1055/a-2464-2887.
- Chaudhary R, Singh A, Chaudhary R, et al. Evaluation of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Reversal Agents in Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Nov 1;5(11):e2240145.
- Garcia DA, Baglin TP, Weitz JI, Samama MM. Parenteral anticoagulants: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012 Feb;141(2 Suppl):e24S-e43S. Erratum in: Chest. 2012 May;141(5):1369. Erratum in: Chest. 2013 Aug;144(2):721.
- Lauer BR, Nelson RA, Adamski JH, et al. Protamine sulfate for the reversal of enoxaparin associated hemorrhage beyond 12 h. Am J Emerg Med. 2019 Jan;37(1):174.e5-174.e6.
- Douketis JD, Spyropoulos AC, Spencer FA, et al. Perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012 Feb;141(2 Suppl):e326S-e350S. Erratum in: Chest. 2012 Apr;141(4):1129.
- Cushman M, Lim W, Zakai NA. Clinical practice guide on antithrombotic drug dosing and management of antithrombotic drug-associated bleeding complications in adults. February 2014. https://clotconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/anticoagpocketguide-1-1.pdf. (Accessed January 9, 2025).
- Greenberg SM, Ziai WC, Cordonnier C, et al. 2022 Guideline for the Management of Patients With Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2022 Jul;53(7):e282-e361.
- Alwakeal A, Maas MB, Naidech AM, et al. Fixed- Versus Variable-Dose Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for the Emergent Reversal of Vitamin K Antagonists: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med. 2024 May 1;52(5):811-820.
- Lip GYH, Banerjee A, Boriani G, et al. Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report. Chest. 2018 Nov;154(5):1121-1201.
- Desai J, Granger CB, Weitz JI, Aisenberg J. Novel oral anticoagulants in gastroenterology practice. Gastrointest Endosc. 2013 Aug;78(2):227-39.
- O'Brien EC, Holmes DN, Thomas LE, et al. Prognostic Significance of Nuisance Bleeding in Anticoagulated Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation. 2018 Aug 28;138(9):889-897.
- Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative. Taking care of nosebleeds: for people taking blood thinners. June 2017. https://anticoagulationtoolkit.org/sites/default/files/toolkit_pdfs/patient/handouts/NoseBleedsBloodThinners2017(MAQI).pdf. (Accessed January 9, 2025).
- Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative. What to do: blood in your stool, urine, or vagina while on a blood thinner. July 2017. https://anticoagulationtoolkit.org/sites/default/files/toolkit_pdfs/patient/handouts/GIGUBleeding2017(MAQI).pdf. (Accessed January 9, 2025).
- Bofill Rodriguez M, Dias S, Jordan V, et al. Interventions for heavy menstrual bleeding; overview of Cochrane reviews and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 May 31;5(5):CD013180.
- Fiumara K, Goldhaber SZ. Cardiology patient pages. A patient's guide to taking coumadin/warfarin. Circulation. 2009 Mar 3;119(8):e220-2.
- Mayo Clinic. Nosebleeds: first aid. May 25, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-nosebleeds/basics/art-20056683. (Accessed October 14, 2022).
- Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative. Taking care of a cut: for people taking blood thinners. June 2017. https://anticoagulationtoolkit.org/sites/default/files/toolkit_pdfs/patient/handouts/CutsBloodThinners2017(MAQI).pdf. (Accessed January 10, 2024).
- Kahn SR, Lim W, Dunn AS, et al. Prevention of VTE in nonsurgical patients: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012 Feb;141(2 Suppl):e195S-e226S.
- Deutsch GB, Kandel AR, Knobel D, et al. Bleeding risk secondary to deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. J Intensive Care Med. 2012 Nov-Dec;27(6):379-83.
- Malhotra N, Chande N. Venous thromboprophylaxis in gastrointestinal bleeding. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Apr;29(3):145-8.
- Greenberg SM, Ziai WC, Cordonnier C, et al. 2022 Guideline for the Management of Patients With Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2022 Jul;53(7):e282-e361.
- Dahiya DS, Kichloo A, Amir R, Wani F. When should antithrombotic therapy be resumed after gastrointestinal bleeding? Cleve Clin J Med. 2022 Nov 1;89(11):630-633.
- Xu Y, Siegal DM. Anticoagulant-associated gastrointestinal bleeding: Framework for decisions about whether, when and how to resume anticoagulants. J Thromb Haemost. 2021 Oct;19(10):2383-2393.
- Barkun AN, Almadi M, Kuipers EJ, et al. Management of Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Guideline Recommendations From the International Consensus Group. Ann Intern Med. 2019 Dec 3;171(11):805-822.
- Lué A, Lanas A. Protons pump inhibitor treatment and lower gastrointestinal bleeding: Balancing risks and benefits. World J Gastroenterol. 2016 Dec 28;22(48):10477-10481.
- Ray WA, Chung CP, Murray KT, et al. Association of Oral Anticoagulants and Proton Pump Inhibitor Cotherapy With Hospitalization for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding. JAMA. 2018 Dec 4;320(21):2221-2230.
- Lip GYH, Keshishian AV, Zhang Y, et al. Oral Anticoagulants for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With High Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Aug 2;4(8):e2120064. Erratum in: JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Sep 1;4(9):e2130836.
- Chatterjee S, Sardar P, Biondi-Zoccai G, Kumbhani DJ. New oral anticoagulants and the risk of intracranial hemorrhage: traditional and Bayesian meta-analysis and mixed treatment comparison of randomized trials of new oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation. JAMA Neurol. 2013 Dec;70(12):1486-90.
- Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al. 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e1-e156. Erratum in: Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167.
- University of Wisconsin. Antithrombotic reversal-adult-inpatient consensus care practice guideline. December 16, 2021. https://cckm.uwhealth.org/?search_id=KB0058871. (Accessed January 11, 2025).
Cite this document as follows: Clinical Resource, Managing Bleeding with Anticoagulants. Pharmacist’s Letter/Pharmacy Technician’s Letter/Prescriber Insights. January 2025. [410168]
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- more about bleeding with <i>Pradaxa</i> (dabigatran)
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