Anesthetists, surgeons , or consulting physician are confronted with an increasing number of antithrombotic agents in their daily practice. Multiple factors make the antithrombotic treatment a challenging part before, during and after surgery. This article discusses the old and recently introduced antiplatelet agents along with the indications for usage and possible complications. Arterial and venous thrombosis does contribute towards worldwide morbidity and mortality. In the process of thrombosis, platelets are the key pro-thrombotic elements forming aggregates interconnected by fibrin.
Antiplatelet treatment counteracts this process. For decades’ aspirin, warfarin, heparin have been the mainstay of the treatment, but the development new anticoagulant drugs are constantly being added. Platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation mediate the thrombus formation. However, amplification…
