Clopidogrel in Orthopaedic patients: a review of current practice in Scotland.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Clopidogrel bisulfate is an antiplatelet agent used to prevent ischaemic events in patients with vascular disease. Current guidelines recommend withholding clopidogrel for 7 days pre-operatively. However these are not based on orthopaedic patients. We therefore decided to survey current orthopaedic practice to see whether this complied with available clinical data. METHOD:A questionnaire was sent to all orthopaedic consultants in Scotland. Four haematology departments, and the manufacturers, were contacted to ask for their recommendations, and a database search was performed. RESULTS:140 questionnaires were sent with a 60.7% response. 84.7% of respondents have encountered patients on clopidogrel. Of those, 13.9% did not routinely stop it, and 86.1% stopped it 5-21 days pre-opera

SUBMITTER: Joseph JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1894781 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature