Effect of Preoperative Aspirin Use on Postoperative Bleeding and Thromboelastography in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Operations

Abstract

Background: Aspirin has been shown to effectively increase survival and reduce morbidity in patients with ischemic heart disease. Continued aspirin use during the preoperative period could increase the postoperative blood loss in patients who have on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aimed to determine the effect of continued aspirin use before off-pump CABG on intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and coagulation profile in thromboelastography. Methods: In 43 patients undergoing OPCAB, they were assigned aspirin user (n = 22), who received aspirin until the day of operation or nonaspirin user (n = 21), who discontinued aspirin before 7 days before the surgery. Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirement were measured. TEG was performed and R, K, angle, maximum amplitude and TEG index was measured at preinduction and at 24 hours after surgery. Results: There were no differences in patient characteristics between aspirin users and nonaspirin users. We found no significant difference between postoperative bleeding and blood product requirements for the two groups. Similarly, we found no significant difference in the coagulation profiles. Conclusions: The use of aspirin continued preoperatively does not increase intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, and blood product requirement and influence on coagulation profile.