Effect of Drugs Associated With Bleeding Tendency on the Complications and Outcomes of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of medication-related bleeding tendency on the clinical outcomes and complications of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: TFESI may result in serious complications such as epidural hematoma or adhesions in patients with medication-related bleeding tendency. However, little is known about the true relationship between medication-related bleeding tendency and postprocedural complications.

METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records of patients who had TFESI from 2010 to 2014 was done. Commonly used medications such as warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel, and Opalmon (limaprost alfadex) were included as medications associated with bleeding tendency. Patients were divided into 3 groups and the treatment outcomes for each group were compared: The first group used medications associated with bleeding tendency, but discontinued them in due time before the procedure (discontinued group). The second group used medications associated with bleeding tendency and continued receiving medication (continuing group). The third group did not use any medications associated with a bleeding tendency (nonmedicated group).

RESULTS: Among 2,469 patients, 1,234 were in the discontinued group, 408 patients in the continuing group, and 827 patients in the nonmedicated group. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for the treatment outcomes such as the degree of pain relief, duration of improvement, and complication rates including symptomatic epidural hematoma. Moreover, for the discontinued group and continuing group, the treatment outcomes were compared among patients with same medication, and revealed no differences.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that continued use of medications associated with bleeding tendency does not increase epidural hematoma or symptomatic exacerbation, and thus should not be considered as a contraindication for TFESI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.