The Perioperative Management of Anti-thrombotic Drug Registry

Study Summary

The purpose of the study is to investigate contemporary antiplatelet therapy management of patients referred for non-cardiac and cardiac surgical procedures while on chronic therapy with antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs. These medications are routinely prescribed to patients following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), known diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, prosthetic heart valves, transcatheter aortic valve procedures, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery revascularization procedures etc. This is a highly relevant and understudied clinical area with no randomized clinical trials or large-scale prospective evidence, except for bridging data with unfractionated heparin (UFH). Most recommendations and guidelines are based on consensus expert opinion. While post-PCI patients, especially those treated with coronary stents are placed on dual antiplatelet agents such as aspirin and P2Y12 blocking agents, performing surgery while on these agents increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications, discontinuation or interruption of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has been associated with adverse ischemic outcomes secondary to myocardial infarction (MI) and stent thrombosis (ST). Moreover, there is only no clear consensus regarding continuation of aspirin perioperatively in these patients. As in the case of PCI, similar arguments for juxtaposed risks (thrombosis vs. bleeding) can be made for a myriad of clinical situations where chronic (≥45 days) use antiplatelet and anticoagulant medication (together referred to as antithrombotic drugs) are indicated. In addition, there are many procedures and surgeries with different bleeding and ischemic risks that cannot be studies through dedicated randomized studies and a registry collection of such information could provide valuable guidance to providers and patients worldwide.