Safety of oral anticoagulants: focus on cerebral microbleeds
https://doi.org/10.15829/1560-4071-2025-6132
Abstract
Oral anticoagulants are currently widely used, which requires continued research on their safety. With the improvement of diagnostic methods and power of magnetic resonance systems, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), which are small deposits of hemosiderin-laden macrophages around the brain vessels, are increasingly being detected. Recently, CMB has been considered as a predictor of intracranial hemorrhage with oral anticoagulant use. In this regard, we decided to summarize the data on the safety of oral anticoagulants in relation to CMBs.
About the Authors
M. S. ChernyaevaRussian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
E. A. Moiseeva
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
A. A. Pogodina
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
E. A. Prokhorova
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
O. V. Zykova
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
L. А. Egorova
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
O. M. Maslennikova
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
N. V. Lomakin
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
D. A. Sychev
Russian Federation
Moscow
Competing Interests:
none
References
1. Arakelyan MG, Bockeria LA, Vasilieva EYu, et al. 2020 Clinical guidelines for Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2021;26(7):4594. (In Russ.) doi:10.15829/1560-4071-2021-4594.
2. Lobastov KV, Schastlivtsev IV. The Current Status of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cancer-Related Venous Thromboembolism Treatment. Rational Pharmacotherapy in Cardiology. 2020;16(2):286-95. (In Russ.) doi:10.20996/1819-6446-2020-04-10.
3. Bozhkova SA, Novokshonova AA, Drozdova PV. Pirogov Russian Journal of Surgery. 2014;(11):48-54. (In Russ.)
4. Praskurnichy EA, Morozova OI. Clinical status and burden of atrial fibrillation in obese patients: assessing the effects of body weight control programs. The Bulletin of Contemporary Clinical Medicine. 2021;14(4):15-26. (In Russ.) doi:10.20969/VSKM.2021.14(4).15-26.
5. Hindricks G, Potpara T, Dagres N, et al. 2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2021;26(9):4701. (In Russ.) doi:10.15829/1560-4071-2021-4701.
6. Sychev DA, Chernyaeva MS, Rozhkova MA, et al. Safety of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of atrial fibrillation in geriatric patients: focus on clinically relevant non-major bleeding. Farmateka. 2024;31(4):8-23. (In Russ.) doi:10.18565/pharmateca.2024.4.8-23.
7. Wilson D, Jäger HR, Werring DJ. Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Cerebral Microbleeds. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2015;17(8):47. doi:10.1007/s11883-015-0524-7.
8. Yamashita T, Suzuki S, Inoue H, et al. Two-year outcomes of more than 30 000 elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: results from the All Nippon AF In the Elderly (ANAFIE) Registry. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. 2022;8(2):202-13. doi:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcab025.
9. Patti G, Lucerna M, Pecen L, et al. Thromboembolic Risk, Bleeding Outcomes and Effect of Different Antithrombotic Strategies in Very Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Sub-Analysis From the PREFER in AF (PREventionoF Thromboembolic Events-European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation). J Am Heart Assoc. 2017;6(7):e005657. doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.005657.
10. Halvorsen S, Atar D, Yang H, et al. Efficacy and safety of apixaban compared with warfarin according to age for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: observations from the ARISTOTLE trial. Eur Heart J. 2014;35(28):1864-72. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu046.
11. Kornilova AA, Lagoda OV, Tanashyan MM. Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Combination with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Russian neurological journal. 2020;25(4):31-7. (In Russ.) doi:10.30629/2658-7947-2020-25-4-31-37.
12. Novosadova OA, Semenova TN, Grygorieva VN. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, comorbid atrial fibrillation. S. S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2021;121(3-2): 46-52. (In Russ.) doi:10.17116/jnevro202112103246.
13. Seitova RR. The importance of microscopic morphological signs of hemorrhage resorption in diagnosing the age of damage to soft tissues and internal organs. Forensic medicine. 2019;5(S1):85-6. (In Russ.)
14. Agarwal A, Ajmera P, Sharma P, et al. Cerebral microbleeds: Causes, clinical relevance, and imaging approach — A narrative review. J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2024;15(2):169-81. doi:10.25259/JNRP_351_2023.
15. Lee J, Song E, Oh E, et al. Characteristics of Сerebral Microbleeds. Neurocognition disorder in dementia. 2018;17(3):73-82. doi:10.12779/dnd.2018.17.3.73.
16. Umemura T, Mashita S, Kawamura T. Oral anticoagulant use and the development of new cerebral microbleeds in cardioembolic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation. PLoS One. 2020;15(9):e0238456. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0238456.
17. Novosadova OA, Kulesh AA, Grigoryeva VN. Diagnostics of cerebral amyloid angiopathy: the way to Boston criteria 2.0. Russian Neurological Journal (Rossijskij Nevrologicheskiy Zhurnal). 2020;25(5):4-13. (In Russ.) doi:10.30629/2658-7947-2020-25-5-4-13.
18. Gulevskaya TS, Anufriev PL, Evdokimenko AN. Current state of cerebral microangiopathy in hypertension. Russian Journal of Archive of Pathology. 2021;83(6):45-53. (In Russ.) doi:10.17116/patol20218306145.
19. Mkhitaryan EA, Fateeva VV, Kamchatnov PR. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy. S. S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2024;124(2):85-90. (In Russ.) doi:10.17116/jnevro202412402185.
20. Kulesh AA, Drobakha VE, Shestakov VV. Hemorrhagic manifestations of cerebral amyloid angiopathy: from pathogenesis to clinical significance. Nevrologiya, neiropsikhiatriya, psikhosomatika = Neurology, neuropsychiatry, psychosomatics. 2018;10(3):4-11. (In Russ.) doi:10.14412/2074-2711-2018-3-4-11.
21. Grutzendler J, Murikinati S, Hiner B, et al. Angiophagy prevents early embolus washout but recanalizes microvessels through embolus extravasation. Sci Transl Med. 2014; 6(226):226ra31. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3006585.
22. van der Wijk AE, Georgakopoulou T, Majolée J, et al. Microembolus clearance through angiophagy is an auxiliary mechanism preserving tissue perfusion in the rat brain. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2020;8(1):195. doi:10.1186/s40478-020-01071-9.
23. Polyakova TA, Levin OS. Cerebral microbleeds in cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases with cognitive impairment. S. S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2016;116(6-2):19-27. (In Russ.) doi:10.17116/jnevro20161166219-27.
24. Horstmann S, Möhlenbruch M, Wegele C, et al. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and association of previous antithrombotic treatment in patients with cerebral microbleeds. Eur J Neurol. 2015;22(10):1355-62. doi:10.1111/ene.12608.
25. Akoudad S, Darweesh SK, Leening MJ, et al. Use of coumarin anticoagulants and cerebral microbleeds in the general population. Stroke. 2014;45(11):3436-9. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.114.007112.
26. Qiu J, Ye H, Wang J, et al. Antiplatelet Therapy, Cerebral Microbleeds, and Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis. Stroke. 2018;49(7):1751-4. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.021789.
27. Cheng Y, Wang Y, Song Q, et al. Use of anticoagulant therapy and cerebral microbleeds: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol. 2021;268(5):1666-79. doi:10.1007/s00415-019-09572-x.
28. Cai J, Fu J, Yan S, et al. Clinical Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Microbleeds After Thrombolytic Therapy: A Meta-Analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015; 94(52):e2379. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002379.
29. Wang DN, Hou XW, Yang BW, et al. Quantity of Cerebral Microbleeds, Antiplatelet Therapy, and Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2015;24(12):2728-37. doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2015.08.003.
30. Feng X, Tang Q, Cheng C, et al. Low serum lipid levels, use of statin and cerebral microbleeds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Neurosci. 2021;94:216-25. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2021.10.032.
31. Liang Y, Song Q, Jiao Y, et al. Cerebral Microbleeds and the Safety of Anticoagulation in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2018;41(6):202-9. doi:10.1097/WNF.0000000000000306.
32. Das AS, Gökçal E, Regenhardt RW, et al. Clinical and neuroimaging risk factors associated with the development of intracerebral hemorrhage while taking direct oral anticoagulants. J Neurol. 2022;269(12):6589-96. doi:10.1007/s00415-022-11333-2.
33. Charidimou A, Imaizumi T, Moulin S, et al. Brain hemorrhage recurrence, small vessel disease type, and cerebral microbleeds: A meta-analysis. Neurology. 2017;89(8): 820-9. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000004259.
34. Makin SD, Cook FA, Dennis MS, et al. Cerebral small vessel disease and renal function: systematic review and meta-analysis. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2015;39(1):39-52. doi:10.1159/000369777.
35. Alfano F, Cesari F, Gori AM, et al. The Role of Extracellular Matrix and Inflammation in the Stratification of Bleeding and Thrombotic Risk of Atrial Fibrillation on Oral Anticoagulant Therapy: Insights from Strat-Af Study. J Clin Med. 2023;12(21):6866. doi:10.3390/jcm12216866.
36. Wilson D, Charidimou A, Ambler G, et al. Recurrent stroke risk and cerebral microbleed burden in ischemic stroke and TIA: A meta-analysis. Neurology. 2016;87(14):1501-10. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000003183.
37. Ding L, Hong Y, Peng B. Association between large artery atherosclerosis and cerebral microbleeds: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke Vasc Neurol. 2017;2(1):7-14. doi:10.1136/svn-2016-000049.
38. Katsanos AH, Lioutas VA, Charidimou A, et al. International META-MICROBLEEDS Initiative. Statin treatment and cerebral microbleeds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol Sci. 2021;420:117224. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2020.117224.
39. Wagner B, Hert L, Polymeris AA, et al. Impact of type of oral anticoagulants in patients with cerebral microbleeds after atrial fibrillation-related ischemic stroke or TIA: Results of the NOACISP-LONGTERM registry. Front Neurol. 2022;13:964723. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.964723.
40. Wilson D, Ambler G, Shakeshaft C, et al. Cerebral microbleeds and intracranial haemorrhage risk in patients anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation after acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (CROMIS-2): a multicentre observational cohort study. Lancet Neurol. 2018;17(6):539-47. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(18)30145-5.
41. Choi HН, Kim JH, Lee K, et al. Microcirculation and outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation taking anticoagulants. Stroke. 2020;51(12): 3514-22. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.030300.
42. Charidimou A, Karayiannis C, Song TJ, et al. International META-MICROBLEEDS Initiative. Brain microbleeds, anticoagulation, and hemorrhage risk: Meta-analysis in stroke patients with AF. Neurology. 2017;89(23):2317-26. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000004704.
43. Charidimou A, Boulouis G, Shams S, et al. International META-MICROBLEEDS Initiative. Intracerebral haemorrhage risk in microbleed-positive ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation: Preliminary meta-analysis of cohorts and anticoagulation decision schema. J Neurol Sci. 2017;378:102-9. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2017.04.042.
44. Corica B, Romiti GF, Raparelli V, et al. Epidemiology of cerebral microbleeds and risk of adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Europace. 2022;24(9):1395-403. doi:10.1093/europace/euac028.
45. Zeng Z, Chen J, Qian J, et al. Risk Factors for Anticoagulant-Associated Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neurocrit Care. 2023;38(3): 812-20. doi:10.1007/s12028-022-01671-4.
46. Badi MK, Vilanilam GK, Gupta V, et al. Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Cerebral Microbleeds. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2019;28(8):2159-67. doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2019.04.027.
47. Wu R, Feng C, Zhao Y, et al. A meta-analysis of association between cerebral microbleeds and cognitive impairment. Med Sci Monit. 2014;20:2189-98. doi:10.12659/MSM.891004.
48. Li X, Yuan J, Yang L, et al. The significant effects of cerebral microbleeds on cognitive dysfunction: An updated meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017;12(9):e0185145. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185145.
49. Ostroumova OD, Kochetkov AI, Ostroumova TM. Atrial fibrillation and cognitive impairment: cerebral microbleeds as a new risk factor and possibilities of anticoagulant therapy (Part 2). Nevrologiya, neiropsikhiatriya, psikhosomatika = Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychosomatics. 2020;12(4):107-12. (In Russ.) doi:10.14412/2074-2711-2020-4-107-112.
50. Beaman C, Kozii K, Hilal S, et al. Cerebral Microbleeds, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, and Their Relationships to Quantitative Markers of Neurodegeneration. Neurology. 2022;98(16):e1605-e1616. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000200142.
51. Yan J, Qiu J, Wu X, et al. Pretreatment cerebral microbleeds and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage post-thrombolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol. 2020;267(2):301-7. doi:10.1007/s00415-018-9156-5.
52. Charidimou A, Turc G, Oppenheim C, et al. Microbleeds, Cerebral Hemorrhage, and Functional Outcome After Stroke Thrombolysis. Stroke. 2017;48(8):2084-90. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.012992.
53. Wang S, Lv Y, Zheng X, et al. The impact of cerebral microbleeds on intracerebral hemorrhage and poor functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol. 2017; 264(7):1309-19. doi:10.1007/s00415-016-8339-1.
54. Charidimou A, Shoamanesh A. International META-MICROBLEEDS Initiative. Clinical relevance of microbleeds in acute stroke thrombolysis: Comprehensive meta-analysis. Neurology. 2016;87(15):1534-41. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000003207.
55. Debette S, Schilling S, Duperron MG, et al. Clinical Significance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers of Vascular Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol. 2019;76(1):81-94. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3122.
56. Liu Y, Braidy N, Poljak A, et al. Cerebral small vessel disease and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review. Ageing Res Rev. 2018;47:41-8. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2018.06.002.
57. Hussein AS, Shawqi M, Bahbah EI, et al. Do cerebral microbleeds increase the risk of dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis. IBRO Neurosci Rep. 2022;14:86-94. doi:10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.12.009.
Supplementary files
What is already known about the subject of the study?
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are considered as a predictor of intracranial hemorrhage, which requires analysis of current research data on the safety of oral anticoagulants.
What might this study add?
- The incidence of CMBs in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulants reaches 30% and increases with age. Superficial CMBs and their increased number are associated with a 6-fold increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage.
How might this impact on clinical practice?
- Further studies in this area are needed in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants, as the data remain contradictory.
Review
For citations:
Chernyaeva M.S., Moiseeva E.A., Pogodina A.A., Prokhorova E.A., Zykova O.V., Egorova L.А., Maslennikova O.M., Lomakin N.V., Sychev D.A. Safety of oral anticoagulants: focus on cerebral microbleeds. Russian Journal of Cardiology. 2025;30(6S):6132. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15829/1560-4071-2025-6132