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Wednesday, October 01, 2008 --- 48 days ago http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/09September/Pages/Warfarinandbrainhaemorrhage.aspx
| “People who regularly take the blood-thinning drug warfarin may be increasing the risk of a fatal brain haemorrhage”, The Daily Telegraph reported. It said the drug is taken by many patients at risk from ischemic stroke to prevent blood clots from developing. However, a study has found that people who had a stroke and were taking the drug experienced twice as much bleeding. This in turn could cause a brain haemorrhage and death unless treated quickly. This particular risk of warfarin has already been identified, and the aim of this study was to examine some of the details behind this risk. The benefits of warfarin are well known, but as with all drugs, there are some risks. This study itself did not measure up these benefits and risks (for example, how many ischaemic strokes the drug prevented), but instead looks at how warfarin might affect one aspect of brain haemorrhage. As the lead researcher is reported as saying, this study “shows the importance of good monitoring and adjustment of warfarin dose. People should talk to their doctors about the proper management of warfarin and learn the signs of stroke so they can get to an emergency room immediately if a stroke occurs”. Where did the story come from? Dr Matthew L. Flaherty and colleagues from the University of Cincinnati carried out this research. The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke and a University of Cincinnati College ... |
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