When to Restart Clopidogrel Post-Op: Navigating the Balance of Risk
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4 min read
For patients on antiplatelet medication, premature discontinuation of clopidogrel has been associated with a five- to tenfold increase in the risk of cardiovascular events and death in those with recent stent placement. Determining exactly when to restart clopidogrel post-op requires carefully weighing the risk of surgical bleeding against the risk of potentially life-threatening thrombotic events. This decision is never a one-size-fits-all approach and depends on numerous factors unique to each patient and procedure.