BACKGROUND

Reversal of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is currently recommended prior to emergent surgery, such as surgical intervention for traumatic geriatric hip fractures. However, reversal methods are expensive and timely, often delaying surgical intervention, which is a predictor of outcomes. The study objective was to examine the effect of DOAC reversal on blood loss and transfusions among geriatric patients with hip fractures.

METHODS

This retrospective propensity-matched study across six level I trauma centers included geriatric patients on DOACs with isolated fragility hip fractures requiring surgical intervention (2014-2017). Outcomes included: intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative pRBCs, and hospital length of stay (HLOS).

RESULTS

After matching there were 62 patients (31 reversed, 31 not reversed), 29 patients were not matched. The only reversal method utilized was passive reversal (waiting ≥ 24 hours for elimination). Passively reversed patients had a longer time to surgery (mean, 43 vs. 18 hours, p < 0.01). Most patients (92%) had blood loss (90% passively reversed, 94% not reversed); the median volume of blood loss was 100 mL for both those groups, p = 0.97. Thirteen percent had pRBCs transfused (13% passively reversed and 13% not reversed); the median volume of pRBCs transfused was 525 mL for those passively reversed and 314 mL for those not reversed, p = 0.52. The mean HLOS was significantly longer for those passively reversed (7 vs. 5 days, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Passive DOAC reversal for geriatric patients with isolated hip fracture requiring surgery may be contributing to delayed surgery and an increased HLOS without having a significant effect on blood loss or transfusions. These data suggest that passive DOAC reversal may not be necessary prior to surgical repair of isolated hip fracture.