Selective CT for Anticoagulated Head Injured Patients

Launched by DR. KERSTIN DE WIT · May 5, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on creating a new system to help doctors safely determine whether patients with head injuries who are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) need a CT scan to check for serious brain injuries. The goal is to develop a reliable set of guidelines that can help identify those who are at low risk of having a traumatic brain injury, allowing some patients to avoid unnecessary imaging and its associated risks.

To participate in this study, you need to be at least 16 years old and have recently sustained a head injury that brought you to the emergency department. Additionally, you must be currently using anticoagulant medications and have had a CT scan during your visit. If you meet these requirements, you can expect to help researchers test both new and existing guidelines to improve care for patients like you. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and everyone's contribution is valuable in enhancing how we manage head injuries in patients on blood thinners.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥16 years
• • Presents to the emergency department after a head injury
• • Patient has a head CT in the emergency department
• • Is a current anticoagulant user
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Head injury occurred \>48 h before patient's arrival to the emergency department
• • Penetrating head injury
• • Previously enrolled
• • Patient resides outside of the hospital's catchment area
• • Patient was transferred from another emergency department following neuroimaging
• • Patient was not managed by the emergency or trauma physician in the emergency department
• • Leaves the emergency department prior to completion of their medical assessment