Management of bleeding in patients using antithrombotic agents

Abstract

Antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants are effective in the prevention and treatment of a variety of thrombotic disorders. Several clinical settings require more intense antithrombotic regimens. These can be provided by combining (i) two antiplatelet drugs, (ii) antiplatelet monotherapy with an anticoagulant, or (iii) anticoagulation with dual antiplatelet treatment (triple therapy). A major side effect of all antithrombotic regimens, however, is the induction of a bleeding diathesis. This is especially true in patients with preexisting haemostatic defects of any kind that may remain compensated, unless platelet function and/or coagulation are not inhibited pharmacologically. To address the dilemma of the "double-edged sword" between thrombosis and bleeding, several strategies are currently under study, including (i) identification of high-risk patients, (ii) stratification of patient subgroups, (iii) individualized decision making, and (iv) administration of "tailor-made" risk-adapted regimens. Nonetheless, prevention and protection from bleeding in patients using antithrombotic agents remain an enduring challenge. For high-risk patients on antiplatelet agents with urgent need of surgery, an algorithm is discussed that allows short-term interruption of oral antithrombotic therapy and i.v. administration of a GPIIb-IIIa receptor antagonist for bridging without increasing perioperative bleeding. When individual patients, using antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents, experience serious or even life-threatening haemorrhages, haemotherapy with platelet units or prothrombin complex concentrates remains an integral part of the clinical management.