Emergency surgery on patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy — review of a challenging surgical problem

ABSTRACT

Patients on Dual Antiplatelet therapy often suffer from surgical problems that necessitate urgent surgery. Platelet dysfunction induced by the medications exposes them to the risk of major perioperative haemorrhage. Cessation of antiplatelet agents on the other hand increases the risk of adverse outcome due to their concomitant medical illnesses. We report our experience of performing major surgeries in two patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy whose medications had to be continued perioperatively. The multidisciplinary care involved in optimisation and monitoring of the patients ensured a successful immediate recovery. We lost one of the patients who contracted COVID-19 later and succumbed from his medical problems but could discharge the other patient successfully.