Background

Clopidogrel bisulfate is an antiplatelet agent used to prevent ischaemic events in patients with vascular disease. Current guidelines recommend withholding clopidogrel for 7 days pre-operatively. However these are not based on orthopaedic patients. We therefore decided to survey current orthopaedic practice to see whether this complied with available clinical data.

Method

A questionnaire was sent to all orthopaedic consultants in Scotland.

Four haematology departments, and the manufacturers, were contacted to ask for their recommendations, and a database search was performed.

Results

140 questionnaires were sent with a 60.7% response. 84.7% of respondents have encountered patients on clopidogrel. Of those, 13.9% did not routinely stop it, and 86.1% stopped it 5–21 days pre-operatively (47.2% at 7 days).

45.9% had a unit policy on stopping clopidogrel, and the majority (69.4%) did not consult their haematology department prior to instituting their policy.

Increased peri-operative bleeding was the most reported complication (22.6%). However this was only noted in those who stopped clopidogrel greater-than 7 days pre-operatively.

Haematology advice ranged from continuing clopidogrel peri-operatively to stopping it 7 days pre-operatively and starting low-molecular-weight-heparin for thrombo-prophylaxis. The manufacturers suggested stopping clopidogrel 7 days pre-operatively. An internet search did not reveal any data on the effect of clopidogrel peri-operatively in orthopaedic patients.

Discussion

Recommendations on stopping clopidogrel have evolved from studies conducted on patients undergoing cardio-thoracic surgery. There is no data available on the effect of clopidogrel in orthopaedic practice. Our survey indicates that increased bleeding has not been found in patients who continue clopidogrel peri-operatively.

Almost half of respondents complied with current recommendations, stopping clopidogrel 7 days pre-operatively. However there remains a lack of consensus amongst orthopaedic surgeons.

Currently elective patients should stop clopidogrel 7 days pre-operatively, and emergency patients should stop clopidogrel on admission, however their operation should not be delayed due to clopidogrel usage.