Perioperative management of patients receiving vitamin K antagonists

Purpose: As the number of patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is growing, the clinician is increasingly faced with having to make decisions regarding anticoagulation therapy before, during and immediately after surgery. In this article we review the indications for VKA and assess their use in the perioperative period based on available pharmacological and clinical data. Source: An on-line computerized search of Medline was conducted limited to English and French language articles. The bibliographies of relevant articles and additional material from other published sources were retrieved and reviewed. Principal findings: Assessment of patients taking VKA who need surgery must include three factors: 1) the indication for anticoagulation, which determines the thromboembolic risk; 2) the pharmacokinetics of VKA, which determine the moment at which treatment should be discontinued; and 3) the type of surgery, which determines the hemorrhagic risk. Some patients will need to stop VKA treatment and start a substitution or "bridging" anticoagulant therapy, such as unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin, prior to and after surgery. In patients requiring emergency surgery, prothrombin complex concentrate can be used to improve coagulation and is preferable to, although more expensive than fresh frozen plasma. Conclusions: For the perioperative setting, further studies are required to determine the optimal substitution ("bridging") regimen and the clinical circumstances that necessitate substitution therapy.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Impact of a Phosphorylcholine-Coated Cardiac Bypass Circuit on Blood Loss and Platelet Function: A Prospective, Randomized Study

Platelet dysfunction due to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery increases the risk of bleeding. This study analyzed the effect of a phosphorylcholine (PC)-coated CPB circuit on blood loss, transfusion needs, and platelet function. We performed a prospective, randomized study at Strasbourg University Hospital, which included 40 adults undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) (n = 20) or mitral valve repair (n = 20) using CPB. Patients were randomized either to PC-coated CPB or uncoated CPB (10 CABG patients and 10 mitral valve repair patients in each group). Blood loss and transfusion needs were evaluated intra- and postoperatively. Markers of platelet activation and thrombin generation were measured at anesthesia induction, at the beginning and end of CPB, on skin closure, and on days 0, 1, and 5. Comparisons were made by Student’s t test or covariance analysis (significance threshold p ≤ .05). Blood loss was significantly lower in the PC group during the first 6 postoperative hours (171 ± 102 vs. 285 ± 193 mL, p = .024), at the threshold of significance from 6–24 hours (p = .052), and similar in both groups after 24 hours. During CPB, platelet count decreased by 48% in both groups. There was no difference in markers of platelet activation, thrombin generation, or transfusion needs between the two groups. Norepinephrine use was more frequent in the control group (63% vs. 33%) but not significantly. PC-coating of the CPB surface reduced early postoperative bleeding, especially in CABG patients, but had no significant effect on platelet function because of large interindividual variations that prevented the establishment of a causal relationship

The place of fibrinogen concentrates in the management of perioperative bleeding: A position paper from the Francophone Working Group on Perioperative Haemostasis (GIHP)

The consumption of fibrinogen concentrates has been increasing steadily for several years in surgery, trauma and obstetrics. However, data from the literature are conflicting. The French Working Group on Perioperative Haemostasis (GIHP) proposes a position paper based on a narrative review of the literature, and addresses the following questions: What is the exact role of fibrinogen in haemostasis? Which rational support for the use of perioperative fibrinogen? Which thrombotic risk? What are the most recent professional recommendations on the use of fibrinogen concentrates? Then, evidence-based recommendations are proposed: 1) it is suggested not to administer prophylactic FC to prevent haemorrhage; 2) it is suggested not to use FC alone. Haemostatic treatment must be comprehensive, include other haemostatic treatments and must be limited in cases of severe active haemorrhage; 3) the GIHP suggests urgent measurement of fibrinogen plasma concentration in a biology laboratory or functional fibrinogen by viscoelastic methods. The choice between the two methods must be guided by the time to receive the results from a certified organisation with, in particular, authorisation to perform delocalised biologic examinations; 4) it is suggested not to administer FC when the fibrinogen concentration is superior to 1.5 g/L or when there is a functional fibrinogen deficit (with the possible exception in obstetrics where the threshold could be 2.0 g/L); 5) if FC are administered, an initial dose of 25–50 mg/kg is proposed.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery for cancer - A real-world, prospective, observational French study: PRéOBS.

International audienceINTRODUCTION: Data on the epidemiology and prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic cancer surgery in real practice are limited. The primary objective of this observational study was to describe the thromboprophylactic strategy implemented in routine practice. The main secondary objective was to assess the incidence of outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients admitted to public or private hospitals for abdominal or pelvic cancer surgery were included between November 2009 and November 2010; endoscopic route for surgery was the only exclusion criterion. Study outcomes were recorded at hospital discharge and at routine follow-up (generally 9±3weeks). RESULTS: 2380 patients (mean±SD age: 66.4±11.6years, women: 36.8%) admitted to hospital for abdominal (47.8%), urological (41%), or gynaecological (11.2%) cancer surgery were included in the analysis. Of these, 2179 had data available at study end. Perioperative antithrombotic prophylaxis, consisting mainly of low-molecular-weight heparin, was given to 99.5% of patients. At hospital discharge, thromboprophylaxis was continued in 91.7% of patients, 57.4% receiving a 4-6week prophylaxis. This management strategy was associated with an overall venous thromboembolic event rate of 1.9%, 34.7% of events occurring after discharge. Incidences of fatal bleeding, bleeding in a critical organ and bleeding necessitating re-intervention were 0.1%, 0.3% and 1.7%, respectively. Overall mortality was 1.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Thromboprophylaxis is routinely used in French patients undergoing major cancer surgery. For more than a third of patients, however, treatment duration did not comply with best-practice recommendations, which might explain the non-negligible rate of thromboembolic complications still observed in this patient population

Surgery and invasive procedures in patients on long-term treatment with oral direct thrombin or factor Xa inhibitors

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs), inhibitors of factor IIa or Xa, are expected to replace vitamin K antagonists in most of their indications. It is likely that patients on long-term treatment with DOAs will be exposed to elective or emergency surgery or invasive procedures. Due to the present lack of experience in such conditions, we cannot make recommendations, but only propose perioperative management for optimal safety as regards the risk of bleeding and thrombosis. DOAs may increase surgical bleeding, they have no validated antagonists, they cannot be monitored by simple, standardised laboratory assays, and their pharmacokinetics vary significantly from patient to patient. Although DOAs differ in many respects, the proposals in the perioperative setting need not be specific to each. For procedures with low risk of haemorrhage, a therapeutic window of 48. h (last administration 24. h before surgery, restart 24. h after) is proposed. For procedures with medium or high haemorrhagic risk, we suggest stopping DOAs 5 days before surgery to ensure complete elimination of the drug in all patients. The treatment should be resumed only when the risk of bleeding has been controlled. In patients with a high risk of thrombosis (e.g. those in atrial fibrillation with an antecedent of stroke), bridging with heparin (low molecular weight, or unfractionated if the former is contraindicated) is proposed. In emergency, the procedure should be postponed for as long as possible (minimum 1-2 half-lives) and non-specific anti-haemorrhagic agents, such as recombinant human activated factor VIIa, or prothrombin concentrates, should not be given for prophylactic reversal, due to their uncertain benefit-risk. © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Chirurgies et actes invasifs chez les patients traités au long cours par un anticoagulant oral anti-IIa ou anti-Xa direct. Actualisation 2012

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOAs), inhibitors of factor IIa or Xa, are expected to replace vitamin K antagonists in most of their indications. It is likely that patients on long-term treatment with DOAs will be exposed to elective or emergency surgery or invasive procedures. Due to the present lack of experience in such conditions, we cannot make recommendations, but only propose perioperative management for optimal safety as regards the risk of bleeding and thrombosis. DOAs may increase surgical bleeding, they have no validated antagonists, they cannot be monitored by simple, standardised laboratory assays, and their pharmacokinetics vary significantly from patient to patient. Although DOAs differ in many respects, the proposals in the perioperative setting need not be specific to each. For procedures with low risk of haemorrhage, a therapeutic window of 48h is proposed. For procedures with medium or high haemorrhagic risk, we suggest stopping DOAs 5 days before surgery to ensure complete elimination of the drug in all patients. The treatment should be resumed only when the risk of bleeding has been controlled. In patients with a high risk of thrombosis (e.g. those in atrial fibrillation with an antecedent of stroke or recent venous thromboembolic event), bridging with heparin (low molecular weight, or unfractionated if the former is contraindicated) is proposed. In emergency, the procedure should be postponed for as long as possible (minimum 1-2 half-lives) and non-specific anti-haemorrhagic agents, such as recombinant human activated factor VIIa, or prothrombin concentrates, should not be given for prophylactic reversal, due to their uncertain benefit-risk.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Management of antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing elective invasive procedures: Proposals from the French Working Group on perioperative hemostasis (GIHP) and the French Study Group on thrombosis and hemostasis (GFHT). In collaboration with the French Society for Anesthesia and Intensive Care (SFAR).

International audienc

Management of antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing elective invasive procedures. Proposals from the French Working Group on perioperative haemostasis (GIHP) and the French Study Group on thrombosis and haemostasis (GFHT). In collaboration with the French Society for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR).

The French Working Group on Perioperative Haemostasis (GIHP) and the French Study Group on Haemostasis and Thrombosis (GFHT) in collaboration with the French Society for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR) drafted up-to-date proposals for the management of antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing elective invasive procedures. The proposals were discussed and validated by a vote; all proposals but one could be assigned with a high strength. The management of antiplatelet therapy is based on their indication and the procedure. The risk of bleeding related to the procedure can be divided into high, moderate and low categories depending on the possibility of performing the procedure in patients receiving antiplatelet agents (none, monotherapy and dual antiplatelet therapy respectively). If discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy is indicated before the procedure, a last intake of aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor and prasugrel 3, 5, 5 and 7 days before surgery respectively is proposed. The thrombotic risk associated with discontinuation should be assessed according to each specific indication of antiplatelet therapy and is higher for patients receiving dual therapy for coronary artery disease (with further refinements based on a few well-accepted items) than for those receiving monotherapy for cardiovascular prevention, for secondary stroke prevention or for lower extremity arterial disease. These proposals also address the issue of the potential role of platelet functional tests and consider management of antiplatelet therapy for regional anaesthesia, including central neuraxial anaesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks, and for coronary artery surgery

Management of bleeding and emergency invasive procedures in patients on dabigatran: Updated guidelines from the French Working Group on Perioperative Haemostasis (GIHP) - September 2016

In 2013, the GIHP published guidelines for the management of severe haemorrhages and emergency surgery. This update applies to patients treated with dabigatran, with a bleeding complication or undergoing an urgent invasive procedure. It includes how to handle the available specific antidote (idarucizumab), when to measure dabigatran plasmatic concentration and when to use non-specific measures in these situations. It also includes guidelines on how to perform regional anaesthesia and analgesia procedures

Management of direct oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing elective surgeries and invasive procedures: Updated guidelines from the French Working Group on Perioperative Hemostasis (GIHP) - September 2015

Since 2011, data on patients exposed to direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs) while undergoing invasive procedures have accumulated. At the same time, an increased hemorrhagic risk during perioperative bridging anticoagulation without thrombotic risk reduction has been demonstrated. This has led the GIHP to update their guidelines published in 2011. For scheduled procedures at low bleeding risk, it is suggested that patients interrupt DOAs the night before irrespective of type of drug and to resume therapy six hours or more after the end of the invasive procedure. For invasive procedures at high bleeding risk, it is suggested to interrupt rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban three days before. Dabigatran should be interrupted according to the renal function, four days and five days if creatinine clearance is higher than 50mL/min and between 30 and 50mL/min, respectively. For invasive procedures at very high bleeding risk such as intracranial neurosurgery or neuraxial anesthesia, longer interruption times are suggested. Finally, bridging with parenteral anticoagulation and measurement of DOA concentrations can no longer routinely be used