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Surgery and Anticoagulation: Navigating the Risks
Published: Jan 16, 2024
Surgery while on anticoagulants presents unique challenges. Here's how doctors navigate the risks.
Weighing the Risks
Doctors must balance the risk of blood clots with the risk of bleeding during surgery. For high-risk surgeries, anticoagulants are often paused to prevent excessive bleeding. For low-risk procedures, they might be continued to avoid clotting complications.
Steps for Safe Management
Managing anticoagulation involves estimating bleeding and thromboembolic risks, deciding on the timing of drug interruption, and determining if bridging anticoagulation is needed. Each step is carefully considered to minimize risks and ensure patient safety.
Bridging Anticoagulation
Bridging involves using a short-acting anticoagulant temporarily when a long-acting one is paused. This approach can reduce clot risk but might increase bleeding. It's reserved for patients with high thromboembolic risk who require an interruption in their usual anticoagulant.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can increase bleeding risk.
It's using a short-acting anticoagulant temporarily.
For patients with high clot risk during long-acting anticoagulant pauses.
Surgery type and patient health condition are key factors.
Wrapping Up
Careful planning is crucial to manage anticoagulation safely during surgery.
References
- Douketis JD, Spyropoulos AC, Murad MH, et al. Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy: An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Chest 2022; 162:e207.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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