When patients on warfarin need surgery

Cleve Clin J Med. 2003 Nov;70(11):973-84. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.70.11.973.

Abstract

When a patient who has been taking warfarin long-term needs to undergo surgery, how to manage his or her anticoagulation is controversial. We believe most patients should stop taking warfarin 5 days before elective surgery, and most do not need to receive heparin in the perioperative period as a bridge to surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Comorbidity
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Perioperative Care
  • Risk Assessment
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative*
  • Thromboembolism / epidemiology
  • Thromboembolism / prevention & control
  • Vitamin K / therapeutic use
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Vitamin K
  • Warfarin