[Traumatic brain injury in anticoagulated patients : Hemostatic therapy for the treatment of intracranial hemorrhage].

Impaired hemostasis represents a major risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. In cases of polytrauma with major bleeding, hyperfibrinolysis may develop and this may result in excessive coagulopathy. Patients receiving antithrombotic medication and suffering from intracranial hemorrhage are at particular risk for the development of neurological sequelae due to the increased tendency to bleeding. This article outlines the principles of hemostatic therapy of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage during antithrombotic treatment. The basic principles of the pathophysiology and effects of coagulation impairment in this patient population are reviewed. Furthermore, the use of specific coagulation tests and the administration of hemostatic substances are discussed.