Perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines

Chest. 2012 Feb;141(2 Suppl):e326S-e350S. doi: 10.1378/chest.11-2298.

Abstract

Background: This guideline addresses the management of patients who are receiving anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy and require an elective surgery or procedure.

Methods: The methods herein follow those discussed in the Methodology for the Development of Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis Guidelines. Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines article of this supplement.

Results: In patients requiring vitamin K antagonist (VKA) interruption before surgery, we recommend stopping VKAs 5 days before surgery instead of a shorter time before surgery (Grade 1B). In patients with a mechanical heart valve, atrial fibrillation, or VTE at high risk for thromboembolism, we suggest bridging anticoagulation instead of no bridging during VKA interruption (Grade 2C); in patients at low risk, we suggest no bridging instead of bridging (Grade 2C). In patients who require a dental procedure, we suggest continuing VKAs with an oral prohemostatic agent or stopping VKAs 2 to 3 days before the procedure instead of alternative strategies (Grade 2C). In moderate- to high-risk patients who are receiving acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and require noncardiac surgery, we suggest continuing ASA around the time of surgery instead of stopping ASA 7 to 10 days before surgery (Grade 2C). In patients with a coronary stent who require surgery, we recommend deferring surgery > 6 weeks after bare-metal stent placement and > 6 months after drug-eluting stent placement instead of undertaking surgery within these time periods (Grade 1C); in patients requiring surgery within 6 weeks of bare-metal stent placement or within 6 months of drug-eluting stent placement, we suggest continuing antiplatelet therapy perioperatively instead of stopping therapy 7 to 10 days before surgery (Grade 2C).

Conclusions: Perioperative antithrombotic management is based on risk assessment for thromboembolism and bleeding, and recommended approaches aim to simplify patient management and minimize adverse clinical outcomes.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary
  • Aspirin / adverse effects
  • Aspirin / pharmacokinetics
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Fibrillation / blood
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Elective Surgical Procedures*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Humans
  • Perioperative Care*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Postoperative Complications / blood
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors
  • Societies, Medical*
  • Stents
  • Thrombosis / blood
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Thrombosis / prevention & control*
  • United States
  • Vitamin K / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Vitamin K
  • Aspirin