Despite the considerable efficacy of antithrombotics and the increased number of oral anticoagulants now available, preventable bleeding and thrombotic events are still unacceptably common. While recently marketed agents require less laboratory monitoring, problems with the clinical management of anticoagulated patients persist, particularly in the peri-procedural period.


Surgery and invasive medical interventions increase the risk of bleeding, while withholding anticoagulants increases the risk of thrombosis due to the underlying condition(s) for which anticoagulation was originally prescribed. The clinical team must therefore balance these competing risks and make educated decisions regarding the decision to interrupt oral anticoagulation for a medical procedure and, if interrupted, whether to "bridge" anticoagulation with injectable anticoagulants, such as low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in warfarin treated patients.