Clinics in geriatric medicine
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Clin. Geriatr. Med. · Feb 2001
ReviewPerioperative management and reversal of antithrombotic therapy.
Patients of advanced age commonly undergo invasive procedures and surgery. With the number of elderly individuals being treated with long-term anticoagulant therapy growing annually, it is not uncommon that surgery is contemplated for older adults on long-term anticoagulant therapy. This article focuses on the management of elderly patients who are on long-term anticoagulant therapy, principally with warfarin, who must undergo invasive procedures. Although no consensus has been reached regarding the perioperative management of patients on long-term anticoagulation therapy, this discussion presents the current status and some recommendations for practice.