Antithrombotics in Vascular Surgery: Current Practice Guidelines

Abstract

Pre- or post-intervention, vascular surgical patients are expected to be on one or more antithrombotic agents. Antithrombotics have played a key role in reducing cardiovascular mortality in vascular patients. There are wide variations in the practice of prescribing antithrombotic agents in vascular services. Evidence-based current practice guidelines are often not strictly followed which puts some of these patients at increased risk of bleeding complications. This paper looks at the current practice guidelines on antithrombotics.

Keywords

• Antithrombotics
• aspirin
• clopidogrel
• current practice guidelines
• heparin
• vascular surgery
• warfarin