Effect of Anti?Platelet Therapy on Peri?Operative Blood Loss in Patients Undergoing Off?Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

ABSTRACT

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to review the effect of the pre?operative use of clopidogrel and aspirin on peri?operative bleeding, blood product transfusion, and resource utilization after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Materials and Methods: A total of 1200 patients who underwent off?pump CABG (OPCABG) between 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively studied. Patients were divided into three groups group 1 discontinued aspirin and clopidogrel 6 days prior to surgery (n = 468), group 2 discontinued both drugs 3 to 5 days prior to surgery (n = 621), and group 3 discontinued both drugs 2 days prior to surgery (n = 111). The bleeding pattern and blood product transfusion were studied and compared between the groups. Patients having history of other drugs affecting the coagulation profile, other organ dysfunction, on?pump CABG, and the combined procedure were excluded from the study. Results: Group 2 patients had a higher rate of bleeding and a reduced mean value of hemoglobin (Hb) as compared to other groups. The same results were seen in blood and blood product transfusion. Patients of group 2 and group 3 were associated with higher blood loss in terms of drainage at 12 and 24 hours. Post?operatively, this was statistically significant. Re?exploration was statisitically significant in group 3 patients (9.01%) than in group 2 (2.58%) and group 1 (1.07%) patients. Conclusion: The pre?operative use of clopidogrel and aspirin in patients undergoing OPCABG showed limited clinical benefits; however, its use significantly increased the risk of bleeding and blood transfusion, thus increasing morbidity and resource utilization. Hence, clopidogrel and aspirin should be stopped at least 6 days prior to surgery.