Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Should A Person Be Taken Off From Plavix Before 3 Days Of Scheduled Surgery?

My dad went into the hospital with chest pain and shortness of breathe. He was immediately placed on Plavix. He remained in the hospital for 4 days before being transferred to a better hospital more equipped for heart conditions. He was ultimately SCHEDULED for a bypass surgery, all the while remaining on Plavix and even given to him the morning of his surgery. The surgery allegedly went well, but when it was just about over there was uncontrolled bleeding that they could not find and not control. Essentially my dad bled for hours and had a stroke and remained in a comatose state for 3 days until he ultimately passed away. From everything I ve read, unless it is an emergent situation, NOT A SCHEDULED SURGERY, the patient should be taken off of the Plavix a minimum of 3 days earlier to prevent the exact thing that happened to my dad. What is your opinion? His surgery was scheduled a week in advance.
posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2014
Twitter Tue, 20 May 2014 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 20 May 2014 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Cardiologist,  's  Response
Dear Sir/ Madam
Thanks for writing to us.
As per last updated guidelines of american college of cardiology in 2011 on bypass surgery (CABG) the clopidogrel (Plavix)should be stopped 5 days prior to planned or elective CABG and one day prior to urgent CABG. There are reports in literature contrary to these guidelines but this is the current position statement.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Clopidogrel


Loading Online Doctors....
Should A Person Be Taken Off From Plavix Before 3 Days Of Scheduled Surgery?

Dear Sir/ Madam Thanks for writing to us. As per last updated guidelines of american college of cardiology in 2011 on bypass surgery (CABG) the clopidogrel (Plavix)should be stopped 5 days prior to planned or elective CABG and one day prior to urgent CABG. There are reports in literature contrary to these guidelines but this is the current position statement. Sincerely Sukhvinder