Response to Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Does Not Impact Bleeding Risks in Patients Undergoing Oral Surgery after Acute Coronary Syndromes

INTRODUCTION: Oral surgery (OS) in patients on antecedent dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may be associated with extra bleeding risks. Monitoring platelet activity in such patients may be beneficial for safety when performing OS. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess whether platelet function during DAPT impacted the risk of bleeding following OS in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who required OS on top of DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel (n = 55) for invasively treated ACS were included. The control group (n = 33) consisted of patients who underwent OS with no antiplatelet agent. Platelet aggregation before OS was assessed with a Multiplate® analyzer. Bleeding during OS and at days 1, 3, 7 and 10 after surgery was serially evaluated. RESULTS: All 88 patients completed the study. An incomplete response to aspirin or clopidogrel was observed in 43.6% of the patients. In 11% of the cases, an excessive response to clopidogrel was demonstrated. No excessive bleeding upon OS was exhibited in either group during the entire follow-up. Platelet aggregation values and the use of DAPT did not impact the performance of OS. CONCLUSION: Therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin after ACS does not seem to increase the risk of real-life bleeding following OS, regardless of the platelet activity response to DAPT.