Patient-related factors affecting bleeding risk

Patient-related factors that increase bleeding risk include:

• a history of bleeding (particularly if this occurred with a similar procedure)
• a recent supratherapeutic international normalised ratio (INR) in a patient taking warfarin
• high alcohol intake
• factors included in risk indices such as the HAS-BLED score (hypertension, abnormal kidney or liver function, prior stroke, history of bleeding, labile INR, age or other drug or alcohol use).

If possible, address correctable patient-related risk factors before the procedure.