Regional anesthesia and anticoagulation

Abstract

Patients receiving perioperative anticoagulation are a challenge for anesthesiologists when regional anesthesia would be a beneficial component of the anesthetic plan. Newly approved antithrombotic drugs maintain the need for updated review articles and recommendations. Due to the very low incidence of bleeding complications, guidelines are solely based on retrospective analyses of case reports and pharmacological considerations. Hence, they should not be taken as evidence-based 'cook books'. Recommendations of well established anticoagulants like heparin and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs may have a solid basis. However, the lack of data on new antithrombotic drugs including GII/GIIIA antagonists, factor X and thrombin-inhibitors requires a more conservative approach when regional anesthesia is considered. Current literature emphasizes postoperative monitoring; clear recommendations of its performance, however, are missing. Decisions to perform regional anesthesia in patients under anticoagulation should always be made on an individual risk-benefit assessment. A vigilant preoperative evaluation of the patient's medication and physical findings are as important as awareness of postoperative plans for anticoagulation.