• A Giebl and K Gürtler.
• Institut für Transfusionsmedizin und Hämostaseologie, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland.
• Anaesthesist. 2014 Apr 1;63(4):347-62; quiz 363-4.

AbstractNew oral anticoagulants (NOAC) inhibit factor Xa (Stuart-Prower factor) or factor IIa (thrombin) and are alternatives to vitamin K antagonists. Perioperative indications are deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis for prosthetic hip and knee replacement, therapeutic anticoagulation for deep vein thrombosis as well as the prophylaxis of stroke for patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients on NOACs pose multiple perioperative challenges for all medical disciplines involved. For non-emergency surgery, patients should be evaluated by an anesthesiolgist as early as possible to assess an optimal appointment for surgery and bridging strategy. Management of emergency procedures for patients on NOACs requires an interdisciplinary approach. The individual risk for uncontrolled bleeding versus the urgency for surgery needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. The determination of drug serum levels enables a rough estimation of anticoagulant activity. Emergency procedures in coagulopathy due to active bleeding are treated with the unspecific administration of blood products and coagulation factor concentrates.

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