Intracerebral haemorrhage - Anticoagulant therapy Factor
RMA definition
The RMA has defined anticoagulant therapy as therapeutic administration of a pharmacological agent which suppresses, delays or nullifies blood coagulation (such as heparin, warfarin or dicumarol), but excludes antiplatelet therapy such as aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine or monoclonal antibodies and recombinant and chemically synthesised peptides that block platelet adhesion or aggregation.
Brand names for anticoagulants
Brand names for these drugs include Calcihep, Calciparine, Coumadin, Dindevan, Marevan, Orgaran and Uniparin-CA. Refer to a MIMS publication or seek medical advice if you are unsure whether or not a particular medication is covered by the RMA definition.
Use of anticoagulants
Anticoagulant therapy may be used to treat conditions such as thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, coronary thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and occlusive vascular disease. It may also be used prophylactically to prevent such conditions and in the period following surgery, if the patient is at risk of developing thrombo-embolism. This form of treatment, however, carries with it a risk of haemorrhage in almost any tissue or organ of the body.
Establishing a history of anticoagulant use
A history of anticoagulant therapy should be documented in the evidence. However, if doctors' notes and hospitals' records cannot be obtained, a statement that anticoagulant therapy was given at a particular time will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence. Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed anticoagulant therapy is medically feasible.
Last reviewed for CCPS 24 May 2007.
Preliminary questions [12588]
12952 there is some evidence that undergoing anticoagulant therapy may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration, a cerebrovascular accident.
12730 the veteran has undergone anticoagulant therapy at some time.
28544 the veteran was undergoing anticoagulant therapy at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, a cerebrovascular accident.
12732 the veteran was undergoing anticoagulant therapy at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, a cerebrovascular accident, for treatment of an illness or injury which is identifiable.
12733 the veteran has established the causal connection between the anticoagulant therapy and VEA service for the clinical onset of cerebrovascular accident.
12734 the veteran has established the causal connection between the anticoagulant therapy and operational service for the clinical onset of cerebrovascular accident.
or
12735 the veteran has established the causal connection between the anticoagulant therapy and eligible service for the clinical onset of cerebrovascular accident.
Clinical onset and operational service [12734]
12736 the identified illness or injury for which the anticoagulant therapy was undergone is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [12735]
12737 the identified illness or injury for which the anticoagulant therapy was undergone is causally related to eligible service.