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J U N E 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
Paul A. Gurbel, MD
SAFETY
C
ontrolling bleeding risks is a primary concern for surgical teams
before any procedure, especially now that the patient popula-
tion is getting older and presenting with more vascular disease.
The challenge of limiting bleeding is compounded when patients are
taking antiplatelet agents or blood thinners, including aspirin. In these
cases, a personalized approach to assessing intraoperative bleeding
risk is best.
Drug resistance part of the equation
Antiplatelet agents are valuable treatment options that help prevent heart
attacks and strokes in patients. However, when patients require surgery,
it's important to determine a course of treatment that will strike a delicate
Managing Patients on Blood Thinners
Limiting bleeding risks demands a personalized approach.
Sinai
Hospital
of
Baltimore
PRE-OP PRECAUTION Platelet testing
should be a part of pre-op assessments
in patients with known bleeding risks.
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