Care of surgical patients on anticoagulants and antiplatelets

Question 1

What drugs should you stop prior to surgery?

CHOW

Answer 1

C - Clopidogrel 7 days before.
H - Hypoglycaemics
O - Oral contraceptives and HRT stopped 4 weeks before due to DVT risk
W - Warfarin stopped 5 days before due to bleeding risk. Commenced on LMWH heparin instead.

Question 2

What is the target INR for surgery to go ahead?

Answer 2

<1.5

Given PO vitamin K the night before if it is still too high before surgery.