Perioperative anaesthetic management of anticoagulation

Authors

Keywords:

indications and drugs used for anticoagulation, perioperative management of anticoagulation, bridging, general and regional anaesthesia

Abstract

Patients who present for surgery while taking anticoagulants present challenges related to the underlying condition that requires anticoagulation as well as requiring a careful assessment of the risks of bleeding and thrombosis. Commonly used drugs include low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin. Patients taking warfarin who have a high risk of thrombosis and are undergoing surgery with a high risk of bleeding require bridging therapy with LMWH.

Author Biography

MEA Kemp, University of the Witwatersrand

Department of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

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Published

2022-11-15

Issue

Section

FCA Refresher Course