PMID: 8956422Nov 1, 1996Paper

The anticoagulated patient

Regional Anesthesia
R L Rauck

Abstract

The expanded role for antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulant therapy has resulted in more surgical patients receiving these medications during the perioperative period. The risk of developing a spinal hematoma (epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid) remains exceedingly small in most patients despite receiving these therapies. Despite the low incidence, potentially devastating neurologic sequelae often occur in the patient who develops a spinal hematoma. Irreversible paresis/paralysis can result despite excellent emergent care. Management of the patient with an abnormal bleeding history or other hemostatic abnormality must be individualized. Each situation is unique and should be considered in its totality. Certainly, patients receiving fibrinolytic agents such as streptokinase or patients with diffuse hemorrhagic problems (eg, disseminated intravascular coagulation) should avoid regional anesthesia and spinal blocks (27,28). Other situations are often less clear and require appropriate judgments by the anesthesiology consultant as to the risk/benefit ratio. Issues that must be entered into the equation include degree of hemostatic abnormality present, surgery anticipated, what if any anticoagulation is planned postoperatively, emer...Continue Reading

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