Perioperative management of oral anticoagulation

SUMMARY Many patients receiving regular oral anticoagulation will need to undergo surgery at some point. However, the optimal management of such patients is uncertain. Various approaches have been suggested, but the strategy adopted must take into account each patient’s risk factors for thromboembolism as well as the type and likely duration of the surgical procedure. The objective of this review is to summarize the possible approaches to the management of orally anticoagulated patients requiring surgery and, in so doing, to provide a practical perioperative anticoagulation management scheme that can be used in daily practice.