Risk Factors for Bleeding During Warfarin Therapy

Risk factors for hemorrhage during warfarin therapy:

(1) increasing age

(2) uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 180 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mm Hg)

(3) alcohol excess

(4) liver disease

(5) poor drug or clinical compliance

(6) bleeding lesions (peptic ulcer, etc.)

(7) concurrent coagulopathy (coagulation factor defect, thrombocytopenia)

(8) concomitant use of aspirin

(9) change in diet, with reduction in vitamin K intake

Interpretation:

• The risk of warfarin-associated hemorrhage is low if no risk factors are present.

• The risk of bleeding increases as the number of risk factors increase.