Does the use of clopidogrel or intravenous heparin increase the risk of hematoma in patients undergoing PM or ICD implantation?
Withholding clopidogrel before pacemaker or ICD implantation may reduce the excess risk of hematoma and bleeding complications.
The use of clopidogrel or intravenous heparin significantly increased the risk of hematoma at the time of PM or ICD implantation. By withholding clopidogrel before surgery, the excess risk of bleeding complications may be reduced.
Kutinsky et al. (Fri,) studied this question.