The equipoise of perioperative anticoagulation management: a Canadian cross-sectional survey

Excerpt

Warfarin anticoagulation is indicated for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Anticoagulation management around the time of surgery is uncertain and while perioperative anticoagulation guidelines exist, there is little evidence to support an optimal management strategy in patients with VTE [1]. Furthermore, rivaroxaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, is increasingly being prescribed for VTE treatment [2]. The only guide for perioperative rivaroxaban management are expert opinion reviews largely based on drug pharmacokinetic profiles [3, 4]. Given the lack of evidence for perioperative strategies, we sought out to assess general practices among Canadian specialists who manage perioperative anticoagulation. …