ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is a growing need for precise blood coagulation tests in preparation for an operation, as a growing number of patients take aspirin during the run-up to their operation. Against this backdrop, we planned to find what effect aspirin has, if taken regularly prior to an operation, on primary hemostasis. We also attempted to determine the possibility of regional anesthesia in cases which the Platelet function analyzer-100 collagen-epinephrine closure time (PFA-100 C/EPI CT) is prolonged. METHODS: We examined three groups the impact of aspirin on the result of the PFA-100 C/EPI CT: Group A (n = 60) consisted of control; Group B (n = 54) who taking aspirin every day until surgery; and Group C (n = 60) was composed of patients who stopped taking aspirin for 7 days before surgery. PFA-100 collagen adenosine-5-diphosphage closure time were only performed on those with abnormal PFA-100 C/EPI CT. RESULTS: PFA-100 C/EPI CT of Group B was significantly longer than Group C and Group A. There was no distinction between Group A and Group C in terms of the PFA-100 C/EPI CT. CONCLUSIONS: PFA-100 C/EPI CT has better sensitivity and specificity than a bleeding test; moreover, it is an easy-to-use and point-of-care test. We concluded that regional anesthesia can be performed for those who taking aspirin until their surgery despite their prolonged collagen-epinephrine closure time except prolonged collagen adenosine-5-diphosphate closure time.