How to Discontinue Antiplatelet Therapy Prior Non-Cardiac Surgery

Both the indication and discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy to balance ischemic-bleeding risks has been left to physician criterion.  However, leaving the decision to one single specialist might not be the best. This is when the team’s role becomes essential. 

Cómo suspender la antiagregación previa a una cirugía no cardíaca

This study looked at the advantages consensus decision-making amongst clinicians, surgeons and anesthesiologists to continue or not antiplatelet therapy in patients with second generation drug eluting stents (DES) prior a non-cardiac surgery. 

3582 patients with prior DES stenting receiving non-cardiac surgery were retrospectively included. 3103 patients consulted with the team and follow their recommendation. 

Patients on arbitrarily managed dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) before or during surgery presented higher risk of bleeding during surgery and more emergency surgery. These patients were more frequently women and were on DAPT at consultation. 

Arbitrary DAPT decision making nearly doubled the risk of net clinical adverse events  (OR 1.98, CI 95%, 1.98–3.11), tripled cardiovascular events (OR 3.11; CI 95%, 1.31–7.34) and doubled major bleeding (OR 2.34; CI 95%, 1.45–3.76).


Read also: Watch again our Webinar “SOLACI@BIOTRONIK” on our Youtube account.


This association was consistent irrespective of non-cardiac surgery, risk or recommendation on DAPT management. 

Conclusion

DAPT management prior non-cardiac surgery should be decided on a case-by-case basis, and all involved in the procedure should have a say (cardiologist, surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc.). 

The risk of major adverse events have a two and three-fold increase when DAPT management is arbitrary and individually made by a single team member. 

JAHA.120.020079free

Original title: Consensus Decision-Making for the Management of Antiplatelet Therapy before Non-Cardiac Surgery in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents: A Cohort Study.

Reference: Choongki Kim et al. J Am Heart Assoc. 2021 Apr 20;10(8):e020079. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.020079.


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Get the latest scientific articles on interventional cardiology

More articles by this author

Coronary Perforations and Use of Covered Stents: Safe and Effective Long-Term Strategy?

Coronary perforations remain one of the most serious complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), especially in cases of Ellis ruptures type III. In these...

Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Intravascular Imaging-Guided PCI vs. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Multiple randomized clinical trials have demonstrated superior outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) vs. percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with left main...

AHA 2025 | OPTIMA-AF: 1 Month vs. 12 Months of Dual Therapy (DOAC + P2Y12) After PCI in Atrial Fibrillation

Concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease is a common occurrence in clinical practice. In these patients, current guidelines recommend 1 month of...

AHA 2025 | OCEAN Study: Anticoagulation vs. Antiplatelet Therapy After Successful Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

After a successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, the need to maintain long-term anticoagulation (AC) remains uncertain, especially considering the very low residual embolic risk...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

Coronary Perforations and Use of Covered Stents: Safe and Effective Long-Term Strategy?

Coronary perforations remain one of the most serious complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), especially in cases of Ellis ruptures type III. In these...

Is it really necessary to monitor all patients after TAVR?

Conduction disorders (CD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are a frequent complication and may lead to the need for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI)....

Is it really necessary to monitor all patients after TAVR?

Conduction disorders (CD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are a frequent complication and may lead to the need for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI)....