Postoperative Antiplatelet Therapy Research Articles

Anticoagulation in Patients with Premature Peripheral Artery Disease Undergoing Lower Extremity Revascularization

ObjectivesPremature peripheral artery disease (PAD), defined by lower extremity revascularization (LER) at age ≤ 50 years, is associated with poor major adverse limb events. The early onset of disease is thought to be influenced by genetic factors that regulate homeostasis of the vascular wall and coagulation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of anticoagulation as an adjunct to antiplatelet therapy on the outcomes of LER in patients with premature PAD. MethodsThere were 8,804 patients with premature PAD on pre- and post-operative antiplatelet therapy only and 1,236 patients on pre- and post-operative anticoagulation plus antiplatelet therapy in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) peripheral vascular intervention, infra-, and suprainguinal files. Propensity score matching (2:1) was performed between patients with premature PAD who were on antiplatelet therapy and those on anticoagulation plus antiplatelet therapy. Perioperative and one-year outcomes were analyzed including reintervention, major amputation, and mortality. ResultsPatients on anticoagulation were more likely to have coronary artery disease (48.7% vs 41.2%, P<.001), congestive heart failure (20.2% vs 13.1%, P<.001), and have undergone prior LER (73.9% vs 49.2%, P<.001) compared to patients on antiplatelet therapy only. They were also less likely to be independently ambulatory (74.2% vs 81.8%, P<.001) and be on a statin medication (66.8% vs 74.3%, P<.001) compared to patients on antiplatelet therapy only. Patients on anticoagulation were also less likely to be treated for claudication (38.1% vs 48.6%, P<.001), and less likely to be treated with an endovascular procedure (64.8% vs 73.8%, P<.001). After matching for baseline characteristics, there were 1,256 patients on antiplatelet therapy only and 628 patients on anticoagulation. Patients on anticoagulation were more likely to require a return to the operating room (3.7% vs 1.6%, P<.001) and had higher perioperatively mortality (1.1% vs 0.3%, P=.032), but major amputation was not significantly different (1.8% vs 1.6%, P=.798) compared to patients on antiplatelet therapy alone. At one-year, amputation-free survival was higher in patients on antiplatelets only compared to patients on anticoagulation and antiplatelet medications (87.5% vs 80.9%, log-rank P=.001). ConclusionAnticoagulation in addition to antiplatelet therapy in patients with premature PAD undergoing lower extremity revascularization is associated with increased reintervention and mortality at one year.

A Survey on the Management of Anomalous Aortic Origins of the Coronary Arteries.

The management of patients with an anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) remains controversial despite the publication of the 2017 American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) expert guidelines. We surveyed the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery and the Pediheart.net online community regarding their care of patients with anomalous origins of the right or left coronary from the opposite cusp with inter-arterial courses and compared them to the AATS guidelines. We received 111 complete responses. Four notable variations from the AATS recommendations were identified. Respondents were more likely to use ECG exercise testing than the stress imaging recommended in the AATS guidelines. For a 16-year-old with AAOCA, recommendations for surgery generally followed the AATS guidelines. However, for asymptomatic left AAOCA without signs of ischemia on stress imaging, only 69.4% felt surgery was appropriate or somewhat appropriate. In the setting of a 16-year-old with right AAOCA free from signs or symptoms of ischemia, respondents were more likely to recommend surgery if the patient was a competitive athlete, a topic not directly addressed in the AATS guidelines. After surgical treatment of AAOCA, only 24% of respondents recommended lifelong antiplatelet therapy despite recommendations for this in the AATS guidelines. Respondents recommendations were generally consistent with the 2017 AATS guidelines but with important variations in the use of stress imaging, indications for surgery in asymptomatic left AAOCA, the impact of identification as a competitive athlete and duration of postoperative antiplatelet therapy.

Effect of Perioperative Antithrombotics on Head and Neck Microvascular Free Flap Survival After Anastomotic Revision.

To determine if antithrombotic therapy improves head and neck microvascular free flap survival following anastomotic revision. A retrospective review of all patients with microvascular free tissue transfer to the head and neck between August 2013 and July 2021. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Departments at University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Colorado, and University of California Irvine. Perioperative use of anticoagulation, antiplatelets, intraoperative heparin bolus, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and vasopressor use, and leech therapy were collected plus microvascular free flap outcomes. The primary endpoint was free flap failure. Analyses of free flaps that underwent anastomotic revision with or without thrombectomy were performed. A total of 843 microvascular free flaps were included. The overall rate of flap failure was 4.0% (n = 34). The overall rate of pedicle anastomosis revision (artery, vein, or both) was 5.0% (n = 42) with a failure rate of 47.6% (n = 20) after revision. Anastomotic revision significantly increased the risk of flap failure (odds ratio [OR] 52.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] [23.90, 121.1], p < .0001) especially when both the artery and vein were revised (OR 9.425, 95% CI [2.117, 52.33], p = .005). Free flap failure after the anastomotic revision was not affected by postoperative antiplatelet therapy, postoperative prophylactic anticoagulation, intraoperative heparin bolus, tPA, and therapeutic anticoagulation regardless of which vessels were revised and if a thrombus was identified. In cases of microvascular free tissue transfer pedicle anastomotic revision, the use of antithrombotic therapy does not appear to significantly change free flap survival outcomes.

Late Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting for Radiation Therapy-Induced Carotid Stenosis

A retrospective review of 11 French academic institutions (University Association for Research in Vascular Surgery—AURC) from 2005 to 2017. One hundred and twenty-one transfemoral carotid artery stent (TF-CAS) procedures were performed in 112 patients (31% symptomatic). The mean interval between irradiation and TF-CAS was 15 years. Duplex ultrasound examination was performed at 1, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter. The combined 30-day perioperative stroke and mortality rate was 6.5%. After 5 years, the neurologic event-free survival rate was 88% and in-stent restenosis rate was 39%. Diabetes mellitus and single postoperative antiplatelet therapy were significant predictors of in-stent restenosis. TF-CAS is an effective option for radiation-induced stenosis. CAS was associated with low rates of neurological events and reinterventions at a mean follow-up of 3.5 years.

Late Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting for Radiation Therapy-Induced Carotid Stenosis

Purpose: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) appears as a promising alternative treatment to carotid endarterectomy for radiation therapy (RT)-induced carotid stenosis. However, this is based on a poor level of evidence studies (small sample size, primarily single institution reports, few long-term data). The purpose of this study was to report the long-term outcomes of a multicentric series of CAS for RT-induced stenosis. Methods: All CAS for RT-induced stenosis performed in 11 French academic institutions from 2005 to 2017 were collected in this retrospective study. Patient demographics, clinical risk factors, elapsed time from RT, clinical presentation and imaging parameters of carotid stenosis were preoperatively gathered. Long-term outcomes were determined by clinical follow-up and duplex ultrasound. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of cerebrovascular events during follow-up. Secondary endpoints included perioperative morbidity and mortality rate, long-term mortality rate, primary patency, and target lesion revascularization. Results: One hundred and twenty-one CAS procedures were performed in 112 patients. The mean interval between irradiation and CAS was 15 ± 12 years. In 31.4% of cases, the lesion was symptomatic. Mean follow-up was 42.5 ± 32.6 months (range 1–141 months). The mortality rate at 5 years was 23%. The neurologic event-free survival and the in-stent restenosis rates at 5 years were 87.8% and 38.9%, respectively. Diabetes mellitus (p=0.02) and single postoperative antiplatelet therapy (p=0.001) were found to be significant predictors of in-stent restenosis. Freedom from target lesion revascularization was 91.9% at 5 years. Conclusion: This study showed that CAS is an effective option for RT-induced stenosis in patients not favorable to carotid endarterectomy. The CAS was associated with a low rate of neurological events and reinterventions at long-term follow-up.

Contemporary outcomes of traumatic popliteal artery injury repair from the popliteal scoring assessment for vascular extremity injury in trauma study

ObjectiveTraumatic popliteal artery injuries are associated with the greatest risk of limb loss of all peripheral vascular injuries, with amputation rates of 10% to 15%. The purpose of the present study was to examine the outcomes of patients who had undergone operative repair for traumatic popliteal arterial injuries and identify the factors independently associated with limb loss. MethodsA multi-institutional retrospective review of all patients with traumatic popliteal artery injuries from 2007 to 2018 was performed. All the patients who had undergone operative repair of popliteal arterial injuries were included in the present analysis. The patients who had required a major lower extremity amputation (transtibial or transfemoral) were compared with those with successful limb salvage at the last follow-up. The significant predictors (P < .05) for amputation on univariate analysis were included in a multivariable analysis. ResultsA total of 302 patients from 11 institutions were included in the present analysis. The median age was 32 years (interquartile range, 21-40 years), and 79% were men. The median follow-up was 72 days (interquartile range, 20-366 days). The overall major amputation rate was 13%. Primary repair had been performed in 17% of patients, patch repair in 2%, and interposition or bypass in 81%. One patient had undergone endovascular repair with stenting. The overall 1-year primary patency was 89%. Of the patients who had lost primary patency, 46% ultimately required major amputation. Early loss (within 30 days postoperatively) of primary patency was five times more frequent for the patients who had subsequently required amputation. On multivariate regression, the significant perioperative factors independently associated with major amputation included the initial POPSAVEIT (popliteal scoring assessment for vascular extremity injury in trauma) score, loss of primary patency, absence of detectable immediate postoperative pedal Doppler signals, and lack of postoperative antiplatelet therapy. Concomitant popliteal vein injury, popliteal injury location (P1, P2, P3), injury severity score, and tibial vs popliteal distal bypass target were not independently associated with amputation. ConclusionsTraumatic popliteal artery injuries are associated with a significant rate of major amputation. The preoperative POPSAVEIT score remained independently associated with amputation after including the perioperative factors. The lack of postoperative pedal Doppler signals and loss of primary patency were highly associated with major amputation. The use of postoperative antiplatelet therapy was inversely associated with amputation, perhaps indicating a protective effect.

Efekti topikalne primene traneksamične kiseline na krvarenje u hirurgiji kolena - retrospektivna studija (topikalna primena traneksamične kiseline u hirurgiji kolena)

Introduction: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a complex surgical intervention. By 2030, TKA is expected to reach as much as 3.48 million interventions yearly. Perioperative bleeding is a major problem in TKA, with intraoperative blood loss from 300 to 2000 ml. In orthopedic surgery, tranexamic acid (TXA) has been used to prevent blood loss and enable faster recovery. Here we present the first experience of topically applied tranexamic acid for TKA in our hospital. Method: The effects of topical use of TXA on bleeding for the one-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Comparisons were made between two groups: the T-TK group in which TXA was topically applied, and the 0-TK group, in which the drug was not used. Demographic data, hemoglobin and hematocrit, transfusion of allogeneic blood products, intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, and the occurrence of postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: The study included 104 patients, 35 in the T-TK group and 69 in the 0-TK group. It was shown that patients with significantly higher intraoperative bleeding received topical TXA. Patients in the T-TK group received fewer transfusions on the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth days. Conclusion: Analysis of the initial use of topical tranexamic acid in our hospital indicates that patients with more intraoperative bleeding were those to receive the treatment. There is a need for better-defined indications for the topical use of TXA, particularly as an alternative for patients who are at higher risk of developing thromboembolic complications.

Strategies to Prevent Ischemic Complications after Stent-assisted Coil Embolization of Cerebral Aneurysms.

There have been no delayed ischemic complications related to stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) of cerebral aneurysms at our institution. We demonstrate our strategies for stent placement and postoperative management of antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of ischemic complications. We analyzed 57 cases of SACE retrospectively. In the procedure, an appropriate stent was selected and placed to fit the arterial wall without impeding on small arterial branches. Two different antiplatelet drugs, including clopidogrel, were used. Six to twelve months after surgery, follow-up angiography was performed to assess the safety of terminating antiplatelet therapy. In cases in which antiplatelet therapy was tapered, the two antiplatelet drugs were switched to clopidogrel alone, and it was subsequently tapered and finally discontinued. There were 49 cases of SACE in which postoperative antiplatelet therapy was tapered. Among these cases, antiplatelet therapy was discontinued in 35 cases. The mean duration of dual antiplatelet therapy was 10.6 ± 2.8 months, and the mean duration of total antiplatelet therapy was 15.0 ± 2.1 months. Three patients developed SACE-related ischemic stroke, which developed in the early phase after surgery in all. Antiplatelet therapy can safely be terminated in most cases of SACE. In order to reduce the risk of ischemic complications, stent selection, stent placement, and management of antiplatelet therapy should be performed appropriately. Furthermore, careful follow-up should be continued even after the termination of antiplatelet therapy.

Oesophageal submucosal hematoma after flow diverter embolization with favourable outcome treated by discontinuing postoperative antiplatelet therapy for only three\xa0days: a case report

BackgroundOesophageal submucosal hematoma is a rare perioperative complication. When this complication develops after endovascular surgery, which requires postoperative antiplatelet therapy, whether to stop antiplatelet therapy or not is controversial. If antiplatelet therapy is discontinued, the appropriate time to resume antiplatelet therapy is unclear.Case presentationA 75-year-old woman (height 134 cm, weight 37 kg) underwent flow diverter embolization for unruptured cerebral aneurysm under general anaesthesia. The patient received dual antiplatelet therapy before surgery and anticoagulation therapy intraoperatively. After surgery, the patient developed hematemesis and was diagnosed with oesophageal submucosal hematoma. Conservative treatment was initiated after discontinuing antiplatelet therapy, which was resumed 3 days after surgery. The patient showed good recovery even after the resumption of antiplatelet therapy.ConclusionsIn our case, we successfully treated oesophageal submucosal hematoma developing after endovascular surgery with early resumption of postoperative antiplatelet therapy.

Selective Temporary Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Intracranial Wide-Necked Small Aneurysms Using Solitaire AB Retrievable Stent.

ObjectiveStent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial wide-necked aneurysm requires long-term postoperative antiplatelet therapy to prevent in-stent thrombosis. This study aimed to demonstrate results of temporary stent placement for coiling wide necked small intracranial aneurysms, which eliminated need for antiplatelet agents, and to discuss its feasibility and safety. MethodsData of 156 patients who underwent stent-assisted coil embolization between 2011 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen cases of temporary stent-assisted coil embolization were included, and their clinical and radiological results were evaluated. ResultsThe aneurysms treated were all unruptured except one case. All of them had wide neck with mean dome-to-neck ratio of 0.96 and were small-sized aneurysms with mean maximal diameter of 4.2 mm. There was no technical failure in retrieval of stent after completion of embolization of the target aneurysm. Immediate angiography revealed 11 complete and two partial embolization (one residual neck and one residual aneurysm). Two cases encountered thrombosis complication, and they were managed without neurological sequelae. The mean follow-up period was 43 months, angiographic follow-up revealed two cases with minor recurrence, and clinical outcome was good with modified Rankin scale score of 0. ConclusionTemporary stent-assisted coil embolization of small wide-necked intracranial aneurysm using fully retrievable stent appears safe and effective. Further application and evaluation of this technique in more cases with larger size aneurysm is warranted.

Effect of Aspirin in Postoperative Management of Adult Ischemic Moyamoya Disease.

Aspirin has been implicated in the postoperative management of moyamoya disease (MMD) in order to avoid bypass failure and decrease the incidence of subsequent stroke. However, its effect has not been completely determined yet. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed data of 184 adult patients (197 hemispheres) presented with ischemic-onset MMD who had undergone direct or combined revascularization in our hospital, to clarify the effect of postoperative aspirin therapy in the management of moyamoya disease. Fifty-nine hemispheres that had been administered with aspirin (100 mg/day) after bypass surgery were defined as the "aspirin group," whereas 138 that hadn't been given aspirin postoperatively were defined as the "control group". Among 197 hemispheres, the mortality rate was 0. The incidence of postoperative newly developed infarction, transient ischemic attack, and hemorrhage were not significantly different between the aspirin and control groups. The patency rate of bypass graft was not significantly different between the groups, either. Notably, more patients experienced major stroke in the control group (9/138) than the aspirin group (1/59), but no statistical difference was found (P > 0.05). In the aspirin group, more patients had improved outcome than the control group (P=0.04). Our findings showed that aspirin might not decrease the incidence of postoperative ischemic stroke or increase patency rate of bypass graft, but it does not increase the risk of hemorrhages, either. Also, postoperative aspirin therapy might improve outcome. More studies are needed to provide evidence for postoperative antiplatelet therapy in MMD management.

Predictive factors for better bypass patency and limb salvage after prosthetic above-knee bypass reconstruction

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the most underestimated diseases because of its high prevalence and unfavorable prognosis. Many PAD patients without suitable autologous veins or options for endovascular treatment receive prosthetic above-knee femoropopliteal bypass (PAKB). Until now predictors of prosthetic bypass failure and of increased amputation risk remain indistinct. This study aimed to identify predictive factors associated with better bypass patency and limb salvage to achieve a more favorable outcome after PAKB reconstruction. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative data of 244 PAKB procedures performed at a German university medical center were collected and analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. To our knowledge this 12-year experience is the largest retrospective study to identify predictors for patency and limb salvage after PAKB reconstruction. Of the PAD patients 94% (229/244) were followed for an average of 34.9months. Patient cohorts characteristics were: mean age, 66.1years, 181 men (74%), claudication (64%), rest pain (16%), ischemic lesions (20%), arterial hypertension (92%), smoking (79%), hyperlipidemia (65%) and type 2 diabetes (43%). Cumulative primary 1- and 3-year graft patency rates were 60.8% and 50.7%, respectively, and cumulative 1- and 3-year limb salvage rates were 89.3% and 86.1%, respectively. One hundred seven bypasses (43.9%) failed, 26 patients (10.7%) required a major and seven patients (2.9%) required a minor amputation. Overall survival rates of PAD patients after 1- and 3-years were 94.4% and 82.9%, respectively. Subjective symptom improvement was found to be the most important prognostic follow-up factor for graft patency and limb salvage. Patients with recurrent symptoms in the follow-up had an increased risk of emerging bypass failure compared with patients with subjective symptom improvement (patency at 1year: 40.8% vs 100% and at 3years: 26% vs 100%; P< .001). No patient with subjective improvement in symptoms during follow-up underwent an amputation (limb salvage at 1year: 100% vs 79% and at 3years: 100% vs 72.8%; P< .001). Therefore, subjective symptom improvement should be the decisive criterion to determine follow-up intervals of PAD patients. In univariate analysis further significant factors associated with better graft patency and limb salvage rates were: claudication compared with critical ischemia, larger graft diameter (>6mm), pre- and postoperative antiplatelet therapy, statin therapy independent from lipid values after PAKB revascularization, and an experienced vascular surgeon. In our study, we determined the subjective improvement in symptoms as the most important prognostic factor for bypass function and limb salvage after PAKB. Furthermore, disease stage of critical ischemia, graft diameter, preoperative aspirin use, and postoperative statin medication were independent predictive factors. Therefore, PAD patients should be treated with aspirin pre- and postoperatively as well as with a statin postoperatively. In case of PAKB reconstruction only prostheses with a large diameter (>6mm) should be used and the procedure should be performed by an experienced surgeon. Considering these results with regard to the predictive factors for better graft patency and limb salvage rates a significant more favorable outcome during the follow-up and an increased 5-year patency rate for PAKB reconstructions can be expected.

Should dual antiplatelet therapy be used in patients following coronary artery bypass surgery? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BackgroundWe assessed the effectiveness of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) post elective or urgent (i.e., post acute coronary syndrome [ACS]) coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).MethodsWe systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Registry from inception to August 2015. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults undergoing CABG comparing either dual vs. single antiplatelet therapy or higher- vs. lower-intensity DAPT were identified.ResultsNine RCTs (n = 4,887) with up to 1y follow-up were included. Five RCTs enrolled patients post-elective CABG (n = 986). Two multi-centre RCTs enrolled ACS patients who subsequently underwent CABG (n = 2,155). These 7 RCTs compared clopidogrel plus aspirin to aspirin alone. Two other multi-centre RCTs reported on ACS patients who subsequently underwent CABG comparing higher intensity DAPT with either ticagrelor (n = 1,261) or prasugrel (n = 485) plus aspirin to clopidogrel plus aspirin. Post-operative anti-platelet therapy was started when chest tube bleeding was no longer significant, typically within 24–48 h. There were no differences in all-cause mortality in clopidogrel plus aspirin vs. aspirin RCTs; conversely, all-cause mortality was significantly lower in ticagrelor and prasugrel vs. clopidogrel RCTs (risk ratio[RR] 0.49, 95 % confidence interval[CI] 0.33–0.71, p = 0.0002; 2 RCTs, n = 1695; I2 = 0 %; interaction p < 0.01 compared to clopidogrel plus aspirin vs aspirin RCTs). There were no differences in myocardial infarctions, strokes, or composite outcomes. Overall, major bleeding was not significantly increased (RR 1.31, 95 % CI 0.81–2.10, p = 0.27; 7 RCTs, n = 4500). There was heterogeneity (I2 = 42 %) due almost entirely to higher bleeding reported for the prasugrel RCT which included mainly CABG-related major bleeding (RR 3.15, 95 % CI 1.45–6.87, p = 0.004; 1 RCT, n = 437).ConclusionsMost RCT data for DAPT post CABG is derived from subgroups of ACS patients in DAPT RCTs requiring CABG who resume DAPT post-operatively. Limited RCT data with heterogeneous trial designs suggest that higher intensity (prasugrel or ticagrelor) but not lower intensity (clopidogrel) DAPT is associated with an approximate 50 % lower mortality in ACS patients who underwent CABG based on post-randomization subsets from single RCTs. Large prospective RCTs evaluating the use of DAPT post-CABG are warranted to provide more definitive guidance for clinicians.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12893-015-0096-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk factors for coil protrusion into the parent artery and associated thrombo-embolic events following unruptured cerebral aneurysm embolization.

Advances in vascular reconstruction devices and coil technologies have made coil embolization a popular and effective strategy for treatment of relatively wide-neck cerebral aneurysms. However, coil protrusion occurs occasionally, and little is known about the frequency, the risk factors and the risk of thrombo-embolic complications. We assessed the frequency and the risk factors for coil protrusion in 330 unruptured aneurysm embolization cases, and examined the occurrence of cerebral infarction by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). Forty-four instances of coil protrusion were encountered during coil embolization (13.3% of cases), but incidence was reduced to 33 (10% of cases) by balloon press or insertion of the next coil. Coil protrusion occurred more frequently during the last phase of the procedure, and both a wide neck (large fundus to neck ratio) (OR = 1.84, P = 0.03) and an inadequately stable neck frame (OR = 5.49, P = 0.0007) increased protrusion risk. Coil protrusions did not increase the incidence of high-intensity lesions (infarcts) on DW-MRI (33.3% vs 29% of cases with no coil protrusion). However, longer operation time did increase infarct risk (P = 0.0003). Thus, tail or loop type coil protrusion did not increase the risk of thrombo-embolic complications, if adequate blood flow was maintained. Coil protrusion tended to occur more frequently in cases of wide-neck aneurysms with loose neck framing. Moderate and less coil protrusion carries no additional thrombo-embolic risk, if blood flow is maintained, which can be aided by additional post-operative antiplatelet therapy.

Risk factors for early hemorrhagic complications after endovascular coiling of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

The risk factors of early hemorrhagic complications after endovascular coiling are not well-known. We identified the factors affecting early hemorrhagic complications, defined as any expansion or appearance of hemorrhage shown by head CT in the initial 48 hours after coiling. We retrospectively reviewed a series of 93 patients who underwent coiling for a ruptured saccular aneurysm between 2006 and 2012 at our hospital. Five patients showed early hemorrhagic complications, and all involved an expansion of the existing intracerebral hematoma immediately after coiling. The associated risk factors were accompanying intracerebral hemorrhage at onset (P < .001), postoperative antiplatelet therapy (P < .001), and thromboembolic complications (P = .044). In the accompanying intracerebral hemorrhage group, the associated risk factors were postoperative antiplatelet therapy (P = .044) and earlier initiation of coiling (9.8 ± 6.5 versus 28.1 ± 24.0 hours, P = .023). Early hemorrhagic complications were significant risk factors for worse clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 2.02 ± 2.21 versus 4.4 ± 2.30, P = .022). None of the 93 patients showed further hemorrhage after the initial 48 hours after coiling. The accompanying intracerebral hemorrhage at onset, thromboembolic complications, postoperative antiplatelet therapy, and earlier initiation of coiling were the risk factors for early hemorrhagic complications.

Modern antiplatelet management of coronary artery bypass patients: a role of platelet function testing in decision making

We read with great interest the recently published study by Williams et al. [1]. The authors sought to determine the relationship between postoperative clopidogrel and clinical and angiographic outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) [1]. Although clopidogrel is now recommended as postoperative antiplatelet therapy in patients with recent acute coronary syndromes, some other circumstances such as off-pump CABG, performed endarterectomy, and extensive severe coronary artery disease with small target vessels, warrant the use of both clopidogrel and aspirin following surgical revascularization [2]. In present study by Williams et al. [1], postoperative antiplatelet therapy was left to physician discretion, thus creating patient selection bias since above mentioned circumstances requiring dual antiplatelet therapy (dAPT) could influence angiographic as well as clinical outcomes. Aortocoronary vein graft disease is composed of three distinct but interrelated pathological processes: thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, and atherosclerosis [3]. Early thrombosis is a major cause of vein graft attrition during the first month after CABG [3]. Since the present study assessed clinical outcome [1] it would be interesting if authors included in analysis patients who died prior to 30 days postoperatively. It would be interesting to elucidate how many patients of those who died prior to 30 days postoperatively were on dAPT versus mono antiplatelet therapy early after CABG? In our opinion, the lack of data concerning objective quantification of the antiplatelet effect of aspirin and clopidogrel constitutes a major drawback of the study. Expected inhibition of platelet function is not always achieved after aspirin and/or clopidogrel administration. The frequency of low responsiveness for the 2 drugs has been reported to range from 1 to 45 % [4, 5] and such a phenomenon could certainly explain in some degree ischemic events after CABG. When assessing relationship between postoperative dAPT and both clinical and angiographic outcomes following CABG, the role of aspirin should inextricably be included into considerations. Within dAPT the possible impact of each antiplatelet agent (aspirin and clopidogrel) on clinical and angiographic outcomes should separately be assessed by drug specific platelet function tests, facilitating individual therapeutic approach for each antiplatelet agent postoperatively. Such an approach could distinguish patients with high residual platelet activity, thus proclivity to ischemic events, from those with enhanced platelet inhibition, thus proclivity to bleeding events (notably, not captured in present trial). In our recent study [5], we analyzed the proportion of patients with aspirin resistance, both preand postoperatively. Considering all CABG patients, we observed 31/99 (31.3 %) patients with aspirin resistance preoperatively [5]. Postoperatively, we registered 46/99 (46.5 %) CABG patients with aspirin resistance, suggesting platelet hyperactivity [5]. A postoperatively registered increase of 15.2 % in the proportion of patients with aspirin resistance was found to be significant (p = 0.04) as well as higher prevalence of aspirin resistance within diabetic subpopulation (58.5 vs 38 %, p = 0.04). Postoperatively, we observed significant increase in values of platelet function M. Petricevic (&) B. Biocina I. Safradin Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Kispaticeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia e-mail: petricevic.mate@gmail.com

Relationship between postoperative clopidogrel use and subsequent angiographic and clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting

Dual antiplatelet therapy with both aspirin and clopidogrel is increasingly used after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); however, little is known about the safety or efficacy. We sought to determine the relationship between postoperative clopidogrel and clinical and angiographic outcomes following CABG. We evaluated 3,014 patients from PREVENT IV who underwent CABG at 107 US sites. Postoperative antiplatelet therapy was left to physician discretion. Risk-adjusted angiographic and clinical outcomes were compared in patients taking and not taking clopidogrel 30 days post-CABG. At 30 days, 633 (21%) patients were taking clopidogrel. Clopidogrel users were more likely to have peripheral vascular (15 vs. 11%) and cerebrovascular disease (17 vs. 11%), prior myocardial infarction (MI) (46 vs. 41%), and off-pump surgery (33 vs. 18%). Clopidogrel use was associated with statistically insignificant higher graft failure (adjusted odds ratio 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.0, 1.7]; P = 0.05). At 5-year follow-up, clopidogrel use was associated with similar composite rates of death, MI, or revascularization (27 vs. 24%; adjusted hazard ratio 1.1; 95% CI [0.9, 1.4]; P = 0.38) compared with those not using clopidogrel. There was an interaction between use of cardiopulmonary bypass and clopidogrel with a trend toward lower 5-year clinical events with clopidogrel in patients undergoing off-pump CABG. In this observational analysis, clopidogrel use was not associated with better 5-year outcomes following CABG. There may be better outcomes with clopidogrel among patients having off-pump surgery. Adequately powered randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the role of dual antiplatelet therapy after CABG.

Coronary stents and non-cardiac surgery: current management strategies

The care of patients with coronary stents in the perioperative period of non-cardiac surgery requires anesthesiologists, surgeons and cardiologists. The management of dual antiplatelet therapy should be handled depending on type and urgency of the surgery, the risk of bleeding, type of coronary stent implanted, time from placement and the risk of stent thrombosis. For patients identified as high risk of stent thrombosis, surgery should be planned at hospitals with cardiac catheterization facilities. These patients require postoperative monitoring and antiplatelet therapy should be restarted immediately. Stent thrombosis should be recognized early and treated aggressively with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Stents coronarios y cirugía no cardiaca: estrategias de manejo actual

The care of patients with coronary stents in the perioperative period of non-cardiac surgery requires anesthesiologists, surgeons and cardiologists. The management of dual antiplatelet therapy should be handled depending on type and urgency of the surgery, the risk of bleeding, type of coronary stent implanted, time from placement and the risk of stent thrombosis. For patients identified as high risk of stent thrombosis, surgery should be planned at hospitals with cardiac catheterization facilities. These patients require postoperative monitoring and antiplatelet therapy should be restarted immediately. Stent thrombosis should be recognized early and treated aggressively with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Antiplatelet therapy and coronary artery bypass graft surgery: perioperative safety and efficacy

Background: Antiplatelet therapy is critical in the management of coronary artery disease. For patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), controversy remains regarding the safety of preoperative antiplatelet therapy and the optimal postoperative antiplatelet regimen to maintain graft patency and reduce ischemic complications. Objective: The goal of this systematic review is to evaluate the risks and benefits of preoperative aspirin and clopidogrel therapy, to identify the optimal timing and dose of aspirin following CABG, and to assess the role of postoperative clopidogrel therapy. Methods: A systematic review was performed to retrieve relevant articles from the Medline database published between 1978 and 2008. Results: With respect to aspirin, the published data suggest that it should be held for 7 – 10 days preoperatively in patients undergoing elective CABG. However, in the current era of routine antifibrinolytic therapy and the high prevalence of patients with extensive atherosclerotic disease, this practice has been put into question. Clopidogrel should be held for at least 5 days before CABG to avoid perioperative bleeding complications. Following surgery, extensive evidence supports the use of aspirin, in doses of 100 – 325 mg daily, to be administered in 48 h postoperatively and continued indefinitely. Less is known regarding the use of clopidogrel following CABG, although it is now recommended as postoperative antiplatelet therapy in patients with recent acute coronary syndromes. Conclusion: Despite > 30 years of experience with antiplatelet agents during CABG, questions remain regarding their perioperative safety and efficacy. The results of continuing randomized controlled trials should further clarify the role of perioperative aspirin and clopidogrel therapy and help redefine the modern antiplatelet management of coronary artery bypass patients.