Timing blood thinners after head injury: a delicate balance between bleeding and stroke risk
NCT ID NCT06322953
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This trial investigates the safest time to restart direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) after a traumatic brain bleed. Many older adults who fall and hit their head are on blood thinners for conditions like atrial fibrillation, and stopping them raises the risk of stroke or clots. The study will compare restarting DOACs at 1 week versus 4 weeks after injury, tracking major bleeding or clotting events over 12 weeks. About 1,084 participants will be followed to see which timing offers the best balance of safety and protection.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban
What this could lead to
If it works, this could establish the safest time to restart blood thinners after a head injury, reducing the risk of both further bleeding and strokes.
What could go wrong
This is a single trial, and results may not apply to all patients. There is still a risk of bleeding or clotting regardless of timing.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for TRAUMATIC INTRACRANIAL HAEMORRHAGE are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITINGLiverpool, Mersyside, L9 7LJ, United Kingdom
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
-
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
RECRUITINGPlymouth, Devon, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••