Urgent surgery in patients with a recently implanted coronary drug-eluting stent: a phase II study of ‘bridging’ antiplatelet therapy with tirofiban during temporary withdrawal of clopidogrel

Feasibility and Safety of Bridging Antiplatelet Therapy with Cangrelor in Neuro-Oncology: A Preliminary Experience

Antiplatelet therapy is mandatory for prevention of thrombotic events in patients with a recent history of acute coronary syndromes and/or percutaneous coronary interventions. However, if an urgent surgery is required during antiplatelet therapy, a compromise between the ischemic/thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk has to be reached. Different bridging schemes are reported in the literature, but there is no clear consensus on the optimal treatment strategy in terms of efficacy and safety. Although some indications about the perioperative management of antiplatelet therapy regarding specific surgical specializations are available, balancing the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk on an individual basis, no evidence referring to neurosurgical or neuro-oncologic procedures is reported. Herein, we present our preliminary experience in the perioperative management of a patient who underwent a neurosurgical procedure for the resection of a primary malignant brain tumor using an intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor (cangrelor) as bridging therapy after a recent acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and stenting. The oral P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel) was withdrawn 5 days prior to the surgical procedure and continuous infusion of cangrelor was started 3 days before the surgery at a dose of 0.75 μg/kg/min. Cangrelor was discontinued 2 hours before surgery and resumed 72 hours after tumor resection for further 60 hours. Neither cangrelor-related bleeding nor cardiac ischemic events were observed in the perioperative period and the following 90 days, supporting data regarding the feasibility and safety of this bridging scheme. Further studies are needed to confirm our promising results.

Artificial Intelligence and Neurosurgery: Tracking Antiplatelet Response Patterns for Endovascular Intervention

Platelets play a critical role in blood clotting and the development of arterial blockages. Antiplatelet therapy is vital for preventing recurring events in conditions like coronary artery disease and strokes. However, there is a lack of comprehensive guidelines for using antiplatelet agents in elective neurosurgery. Continuing therapy during surgery poses a bleeding risk, while discontinuing it before surgery increases the risk of thrombosis. Discontinuation is recommended in neurosurgical settings but carries an elevated risk of ischemic events. Conversely, maintaining antithrombotic therapy may increase bleeding and the need for transfusions, leading to a poor prognosis. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise in making difficult decisions regarding antiplatelet therapy. This paper discusses current clinical guidelines and supported regimens for antiplatelet therapy in neurosurgery. It also explores methodologies like P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) monitoring and thromboelastography (TEG) mapping for monitoring the use of antiplatelet regimens as well as their limitations. The paper explores the potential of AI to overcome such limitations associated with PRU monitoring and TEG mapping. It highlights various studies in the field of cardiovascular and neuroendovascular surgery which use AI prediction models to forecast adverse outcomes such as ischemia and bleeding, offering assistance in decision-making for antiplatelet therapy. In addition, the use of AI to improve patient adherence to antiplatelet regimens is also considered. Overall, this research aims to provide insights into the use of antiplatelet therapy and the role of AI in optimizing treatment plans in neurosurgical settings.

Management of severe peri-operative bleeding: Guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care: Second update 2022

BACKGROUND

Management of peri-operative bleeding is complex and involves multiple assessment tools and strategies to ensure optimal patient care with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality. These updated guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) aim to provide an evidence-based set of recommendations for healthcare professionals to help ensure improved clinical management.

DESIGN

A systematic literature search from 2015 to 2021 of several electronic databases was performed without language restrictions. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies and to formulate recommendations. A Delphi methodology was used to prepare a clinical practice guideline.

RESULTS

These searches identified 137 999 articles. All articles were assessed, and the existing 2017 guidelines were revised to incorporate new evidence. Sixteen recommendations derived from the systematic literature search, and four clinical guidances retained from previous ESAIC guidelines were formulated. Using the Delphi process on 253 sentences of guidance, strong consensus (>90% agreement) was achieved in 97% and consensus (75 to 90% agreement) in 3%.

DISCUSSION

Peri-operative bleeding management encompasses the patient's journey from the pre-operative state through the postoperative period. Along this journey, many features of the patient's pre-operative coagulation status, underlying comorbidities, general health and the procedures that they are undergoing need to be taken into account. Due to the many important aspects in peri-operative nontrauma bleeding management, guidance as to how best approach and treat each individual patient are key. Understanding which therapeutic approaches are most valuable at each timepoint can only enhance patient care, ensuring the best outcomes by reducing blood loss and, therefore, overall morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSION

All healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients at risk for surgical bleeding should be aware of the current therapeutic options and approaches that are available to them. These guidelines aim to provide specific guidance for bleeding management in a variety of clinical situations.

Migraine with aura after clopidogrel withdrawal: evidence of inflammation as a migraine trigger? – Case report

This article presents the case of a PFO (patent foramen ovale) closure patient with double antiplatelet therapy in whom aspirin was discontinued before clopidogrel and that, at clopidogrel withdrawal, presented “de novo” migraine with visual aura attacks. Migraines with aura associated with atrial right-to-left shunts (PFO and other atrial septal defects) are attributed to the arrival of vasoactive substances in the brain, since not cleared by the lungs. In this case, discontinuation of clopidogrel one year after PFO closure induced “de novo” migraine with aura. Conclusion Rather than confirming the prophylactic effects of clopidogrel for migraine with aura, its triggering at clopidogrel withdrawal is more likely related to a proinflammatory effect of discontinuing clopidogrel. This proinflammatory effect has been described in cardiological research, and reinforces that patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel and aspirin) should always have clopidogrel discontinued before aspirin in order to avoid proinflammatory or pro-thrombotic events.

Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy: An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline

BACKGROUND

The American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline on the Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy addresses 43 Patients-Interventions-Comparators-Outcomes (PICO) questions related to the perioperative management of patients who are receiving long-term oral anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy and require an elective surgery/procedure. This guideline is separated into four broad categories, encompassing the management of patients who are receiving: (1) a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), mainly warfarin; (2) if receiving a VKA, the use of perioperative heparin bridging, typically with a low-molecular-weight heparin; (3) a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC); and (4) an antiplatelet drug.

METHODS

Strong or conditional practice recommendations are generated based on high, moderate, low, and very low certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology for clinical practice guidelines.

RESULTS

A multidisciplinary panel generated 44 guideline recommendations for the perioperative management of VKAs, heparin bridging, DOACs, and antiplatelet drugs, of which two are strong recommendations: (1) against the use of heparin bridging in patients with atrial fibrillation; and (2) continuation of VKA therapy in patients having a pacemaker or internal cardiac defibrillator implantation. There are separate recommendations on the perioperative management of patients who are undergoing minor procedures, comprising dental, dermatologic, ophthalmologic, pacemaker/internal cardiac defibrillator implantation, and GI (endoscopic) procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial new evidence has emerged since the 2012 iteration of these guidelines, especially to inform best practices for the perioperative management of patients who are receiving a VKA and may require heparin bridging, for the perioperative management of patients who are receiving a DOAC, and for patients who are receiving one or more antiplatelet drugs. Despite this new knowledge, uncertainty remains as to best practices for the majority of perioperative management questions.

Efficacy and safety of a bridging strategy that uses intravenous platelet glycoprotein receptor inhibitors for patients undergoing surgery after coronary stent implantation: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines indicate we can consider a bridging strategy that uses intravenous, reversible glycoprotein inhibitors for patients that required surgery following recent stent implantation. However, no strong clinical evidence exists that demonstrates the efficacy and safety of this treatment. Therefore, in this study, the efficacy and safety of a bridging strategy that uses intravenous platelet glycoprotein receptor inhibitors will be evaluated.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed on preoperative bridging studies in patients undergoing coronary stent surgery. The primary outcome was the success rate of no major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The secondary outcomes were the success rate of no reoperations to stop bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies that included 382 patients were used in this meta-analysis. For the primary endpoint, the success rate was 97.7% (95% CI 94.4-98.0%) for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, 98.8% (95% CI 96.0-100%) for tirofiban (6 studies) and 95.8% (95% CI 90.4-99.4%) for eptifibatide (4 studies). For secondary endpoints, the success rate was 98.0% (95% CI 94.8-99.9%) for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, 99.7% (95% CI 97.1-100%) for tirofiban (5 studies), and 95.3% (95% CI 88.5-99.4%) for eptifibatide (4 studies).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that the use of intravenous platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors as a bridging strategy might be safe and effective for patients undergoing coronary stent implantation that require surgery soon after.

Efficacy and safety of tirofiban bridge as an alternative to suspension of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing surgery: a systematic review

Use of a tirofiban bridge is an alternative to simply withdrawing dual antiplatelet therapy prior to operating on patients at high risk of stent thrombosis and bleeding. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this protocol in patients undergoing surgery within 12 months of a percutaneous coronary intervention involving stenting. We performed a systematic review based on searches of the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, Lilacs, and Scielo databases and of the references of relevant articles on the topic. Five of the 107 studies identified were included after application of eligibility criteria and analysis of methodological quality, totaling 422 patients, 227 in control groups. Notwithstanding the limitations reported, four of the five studies included indicate that the tirofiban bridge technique is effective for reducing adverse cardiac events and is safe in terms of not interfering with the risk of hemorrhagic events or bleeding. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to provide robust evidence.

Bridging Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Patients undergoing early surgery after coronary stent implantation are at increased risk for mortality from ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. The optimal antiplatelet strategy in patients who cannot discontinue dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) before surgery is unclear. Current guidelines, based on surgical and clinical characteristics, provide risk stratification for bridging therapy with intravenous antiplatelet agents, but management is guided primarily by expert opinion. This review summarizes perioperative risk factors to consider before discontinuing DAPT and reviews the data for intravenous bridging therapies. Published reports have included bridging options such as small molecule glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (eptifibatide or tirofiban) and cangrelor, an intravenous P2Y₁₂ inhibitor. However, optimal management of these complex patients remains unclear in the absence of randomized controlled data, without which an argument can be made both for and against the use of perioperative intravenous bridging therapy after discontinuing oral P2Y₁₂ inhibitors. Multidisciplinary risk assessment remains a critical component of perioperative care.

Perioperative pharmacotherapy to prevent cardiac complications in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery

Introduction: Despite advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques, perioperative cardiovascular complications are a major cause of 30-day perioperative mortality. Major cardiovascular complications after noncardiac surgery include myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. Along with surgical risk assessment, perioperative medical optimization can reduce the rates and clinical impact of these complications.Areas Covered: In this review, the authors discuss the pharmacological basis, existing evidence, and professional society recommendations for drug management in preventing cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.Expert opinion: Perioperative management of cardiovascular disease is an increasingly important and growing area of clinical practice. Societal guidelines regarding the use of most routine cardiovascular medications are based on a number of large clinical studies and provide a basic foundation to guide management. However, the heterogeneous nature of patients, as well as surgeries, makes it practically impossible to devise a 'one size fits all' recommendation in this setting. Thus, the importance of a more individualized approach to perioperative risk stratification and management is being increasingly recognized. The underlying comorbidities and cardiac profile as well as the risk of cardiac complications associated with the planned surgery must be factored in to understand the nuance of the management strategies.

Recurrent stent thrombosis in a patient with acute coronary syndrome and ischemic colitis: between life-threatening thrombosis and life-threatening bleeding

Complete blood count should always be considered to tailor diagnosis and appropriate management in patients with acute ischemic heart disease. We present a challenging case of recurrent acute coronary syndrome, in the context of very high thrombotic risk due to concomitant inflammatory disease. Although no general guidelines exist for the switch between antiplatelet agents, particularly in the acute setting, in specific cases, the availability of different orally- and i.v.-acting agents and platelet function tests may allow to discriminate among multiple possible mechanisms of drug failure or side effects in the individual patient.

Non-cardiac surgery in patients with coronary artery disease: risk evaluation and periprocedural management

Perioperative cardiovascular complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality associated with non-cardiac surgery, particularly in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Although preoperative cardiac risk assessment can facilitate the identification of vulnerable patients and implementation of adequate preventive measures, excessive evaluation might lead to undue resource utilization and surgical delay. Owing to conflicting data, there remains some uncertainty regarding the most beneficial perioperative strategy for patients with CAD. Antithrombotic agents are the cornerstone of secondary prevention of ischaemic events but substantially increase the risk of bleeding. Given that 5-25% of patients undergoing coronary stent implantation require non-cardiac surgery within 2 years, surgery is the most common reason for premature cessation of dual antiplatelet therapy. Perioperative management of antiplatelet therapy, which necessitates concomitant evaluation of the individual thrombotic and bleeding risks related to both clinical and procedural factors, poses a recurring dilemma in clinical practice. Current guidelines do not provide detailed recommendations on this topic, and the optimal approach in these patients is yet to be determined. This Review summarizes the current data guiding preoperative risk stratification as well as periprocedural management of patients with CAD undergoing non-cardiac surgery, including those treated with stents.

Perioperative dual antiplatelets management for ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation in patients with hydrocephalus after stent-assisted coil embolization of the ruptured intracranial aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery is sometimes necessary in patients who present with symptomatic hydrocephalus after undergoing stent-assisted coil embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. However, there are no guidelines for the perioperative management of VPS using dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and balancing between the thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications. Studies regarding discontinuation of DAPT and its substitution with a less potent drug for reducing the risk of hemorrhage have been previously attempted; however, the sample size in these studies was small. This study investigates the safety and feasibility of ibuprofen bridging therapy with discontinuation of DAPT for five days in patients who have recently received a neurovascular stent and require VPS.

METHODS

Forty-one patients, who were administered DAPT after neurovascular stent placement and later underwent VPS, were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups based on the perioperative DAPT therapy: (1) Bridge: discontinuing DAPT and substituting it with ibuprofen 600 mg bid for five days, and (2) Continue: maintaining DAPT during surgery. The groups were compared and risk factors for hemorrhagic complication were investigated.

RESULTS

On comparison analysis, no ischemic complications were observed in both groups; however, hemorrhagic complications were significantly higher in the continue than in the bridge group (p = 0.004). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, "ibuprofen bridging" was identified as a significant factor negatively associated with hemorrhagic complications (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

"Ibuprofen bridging therapy with discontinuation of DAPT for 5 days" is a potential treatment strategy for patients having recently undergone neurovascular stent placement and are scheduled for VPS surgery.

Consensus Report on Patient Blood Management in Cardiac Surgery by Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (TSCVS), Turkish Society of Cardiology (TSC), and Society of Cardio-Vascular-Thoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (SCTAIC)

Anemia, transfusion and bleeding independently increase the risk of complications and mortality in cardiac surgery. The main goals of patient blood management are to treat anemia, prevent bleeding, and optimize the use of blood products during the perioperative period. The benefit of this program has been confirmed in many studies and its utilization is strongly recommended by professional organizations. This consensus report has been prepared by the authors who are the task members appointed by the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery, Turkish Society of Cardiology (TSC), and Society of Cardio-Vascular-Thoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care to raise the awareness of patient blood management. This report aims to summarize recommendations for all perioperative blood- conserving strategies in cardiac surgery.

Perioperative Bridging With Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors Versus Cangrelor: Balancing Efficacy and Safety

OBJECTIVE

To review the efficacy and safety of perioperative administration of intravenous (IV) antiplatelet agents as a substitute for oral P2Y₁₂ inhibitors and to provide clinicians guidance on optimal and cost-effective use of these medications.

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE literature search (1950 to November 2018) was performed using the key search terms abciximab, bridging, cangrelor, cardiac surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, eptifibatide, intravenous antiplatelet agent, and tirofiban. Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

In all, 18 original research reports and case reports/series were included in the review.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Prevention of postoperative bleeding is critical to decrease morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. IV antiplatelet medications have short half-lives and are frequently used to substitute for oral P2Y₁₂ inhibitors to allow platelet function recovery before procedures. Functional recovery of platelets is delayed after abciximab discontinuation and increases postoperative bleeding risk. Eptifibatide and tirofiban have similar pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties and comparable efficacy and safety in the setting of perioperative bridging. Cangrelor may be considered in patients with renal insufficiency as decreased clearance of eptifibatide or tirofiban may increase the risk of postoperative bleeding. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Comparative studies of IV antiplatelet medications have not been published. Appropriate use of IV antiplatelet medications can prevent perioperative ischemic events and bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Eptifibatide, tirofiban, and cangrelor are preferred over abciximab as a perioperative bridge. The choice of agent should be tailored to clinical characteristics of the patient and institutional acquisition costs.

Intravenous Antiplatelet Therapy Bridging in Patients Undergoing Cardiac or Non-Cardiac Surgery Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

The effect of perioperative bridging therapy on risks of ischemic cardiac events and major bleeding complications in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains undefined.

METHODS

We report on 60 consecutive patients between 2010 and 2017 who required cardiac (CS; n = 15) or non-cardiac (NCS; n = 45) surgeries following PCI at our institution. Short-acting intravenous (IV) antiplatelet (APT) bridging with eptifibatide, tirofiban and cangrelor were instituted after DAPT interruption.

RESULTS

All patients were men with multiple atherosclerosis risk factors. An acute coronary syndrome indication (56.7%) was the most common PCI indication in the CS and NCS groups. Drug-eluting stents were used in 93.33% and 95.56% of the above groups, respectively. The median duration from PCI to CS and NCS were 11.17 and 18.25 months, respectively and 38.33% of all surgeries were performed within 6 months of the index PCI. Most patients were on background aspirin (83.33%) and clopidogrel (81.67%) and median duration of DAPT interruption was 7 days. Median duration of perioperative IV APT bridging was 3 days for CS and 5 days for NCS groups. In the CS group, two patients (13.33%) had non-fata myocardial infarction (MI), and four (26.67%) had clinically significant bleeding. No patients had perioperative stent thrombosis. In the NCS group, one patient (2.22%) had stent thrombosis; four (6.67%) had myocardial infarction, and five (11.11%) clinically significant bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite using IV APT as bridging therapy during perioperative DAPT interruption in post-PCI patients, postoperative cardiac events and bleeding complications can still occur.

A Novel Bridging Strategy for Patients Undergoing Emergent Non-Cardiac Surgery with a Recent Coronary Stent

INTRODUCTION

Not infrequently, patients undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy for a recent cardiac stent develop a need for a non-cardiac surgery. Most of these surgeries can be delayed while the antiplatelet treatment is stopped and normal platelet function returns in order to avoid potential surgical complications and excessive bleeding. However, there are a number of patients who require urgent surgery where the procedure cannot be postponed. To date, no agents have been proven to bridge the patient off dual-antiplatelet therapy.

METHODS

A 46-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. He was urgently taken to the catheterization lab where he was found to have a totally occluded proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). He was successfully stented with a drug-eluting stent of the LAD, but subsequently developed a sarcoma 2 months later that required urgent surgery. The novel direct-acting, reversible P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitor cangrelor was used to bridge this patient followed by ongoing antiplatelet treatment, allowing surgery for the removal of a soft tissue sarcoma.

RESULTS

Cangrelor was successfully used to bridge a patient with a recent stent placement and current antiplatelet treatment undergoing the removal of a soft tissue sarcoma.

CONCLUSION

This case report demonstrates the use of a novel, now currently available, short-acting antiplatelet agent that can be used for bridging patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery who had a recent myocardial infarction and stent placement.

Early myocardial surgical revascularization after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in multivessel coronary disease: bridge therapy is the solution?

BACKGROUND

Many ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients have a multivessel disease that initially require percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the culprit vessel but subsequently may require coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) of nonculprit vessels. Evidence supports staged revascularization, but the identification of optimal strategies (percutaneous or surgical), the timing and the management of antiplatelet therapy after recent PCI with stenting are matters of great controversies.

METHODS

In our retrospective registry, we have enrolled 21 patients presenting with STEMI and multivessel disease, who underwent PCI of the culprit vessel only and then CABG of nonculprit vessels. Demographic, clinical, echocardiographic, angiographic findings, preoperative score, surgical data and postoperative complications were collected. At 21.6 ± 15.6 months follow-up death, reinfarction and/or cardiovascular and noncardiovascular events were recorded.

RESULTS

Patients were 62 ± 9 years old and had in the most cases a good ejection fraction. At angiography, the culprit lesion was right coronary artery in 16 patients (76%). Angiographic characteristics excluded a staged PCI (SYNTAX score = 31.6 ± 7.4) and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II resulted low (1.46 ± 1.01). Following the indication to cardiac surgery after Heart Team discussion, the withdrawal of oral P2Y12 inhibitor was planned and tirofiban intravenous was started. Off-pump CABG was performed after 7.2 ± 3.2 days. No death, reinfarction and/or cardiovascular and noncardiovascular events occurred at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We can conclude that a careful preoperative selection is mandatory for a good postoperative course and long-term survival and that early-staged CABG can, however, be performed using bridge therapy, also after STEMI.

Management of antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing elective invasive procedures. Proposals from the French Working Group on perioperative haemostasis (GIHP) and the French Study Group on thrombosis and haemostasis (GFHT). In collaboration with the French Society for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR)

The French Working Group on Perioperative Haemostasis (GIHP) and the French Study Group on Haemostasis and Thrombosis (GFHT) in collaboration with the French Society for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR) drafted up-to-date proposals for the management of antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing elective invasive procedures. The proposals were discussed and validated by a vote; all proposals but one could be assigned with a high strength. The management of antiplatelet therapy is based on their indication and the procedure. The risk of bleeding related to the procedure can be divided into high, moderate and low categories depending on the possibility of performing the procedure in patients receiving antiplatelet agents (none, monotherapy and dual antiplatelet therapy respectively). If discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy is indicated before the procedure, a last intake of aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor and prasugrel 3, 5, 5 and 7 days before surgery respectively is proposed. The thrombotic risk associated with discontinuation should be assessed according to each specific indication of antiplatelet therapy and is higher for patients receiving dual therapy for coronary artery disease (with further refinements based on a few well-accepted items) than for those receiving monotherapy for cardiovascular prevention, for secondary stroke prevention or for lower extremity arterial disease. These proposals also address the issue of the potential role of platelet functional tests and consider management of antiplatelet therapy for regional anaesthesia, including central neuraxial anaesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks, and for coronary artery surgery.

Consensus Document of the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO), Italian Society of Cardiology (SIC), Italian Association of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) and Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery (SICCH): clinical approach to pharmacologic pre-treatment for patients undergoing myocardial revascularization procedures

The wide availability of effective drugs in reducing cardiovascular events together with the use of myocardial revascularization has greatly improved the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease. The combination of antithrombotic drugs to be administered before the knowledge of the coronary anatomy and before the consequent therapeutic strategies, can allow to anticipate optimal treatment, but can also expose the patients at risk of bleeding that, especially in acute coronary syndromes, can significantly weigh on their prognosis, even more than the expected theoretical benefit. In non ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes patients in particular, we propose a 'selective pre-treatment' with P2Y₁₂ inhibitors, based on the ischaemic risk, on the bleeding risk and on the time scheduled for the execution of coronary angiography. Much of the problems concerning this issue would be resolved by an early access to coronary angiography, particularly for patients at higher ischaemic and bleeding risk.

Perioperative Management of Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With New-Generation Drug-Eluting Metallic Stents and Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds Undergoing Elective Noncardiac Surgery

Dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is considered mandatory after new-generation drug-eluting coronary stent implantation to reduce ischemic complications such as stent thrombosis, but the need for DAPT makes the timing of elective surgery difficult. Interrupting DAPT places patients at risk for stent thrombosis, and surgery in the setting of DAPT may lead to bleeding. The 2016 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline recommends delaying elective noncardiac surgery for a minimum 6-month period to reduce ischemic risks after the implantation of a second-generation metallic drug-eluting stent (DES). However, the guideline fails to appropriately stratify surgical patients based on the indication for second-generation metallic DES implantation and other patient characteristics. The Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL), which has a higher propensity for stent thrombosis compared with second-generation metallic DES, also produces DAPT management challenges in patients presenting for elective noncardiac surgery. Due to the novelty of bioresorbable vascular scaffold therapy, there are no guidelines available for the management of patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery. This review addresses DAPT management in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery less than 12 months after new-generation metallic DES or bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation and provides further guidance for anesthesiologists who encounter these challenging cases.

Bleeding risk associated with eptifibatide (Integrilin) bridging in thoracic surgery patients

Antiplatelet use for treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) is common amongst thoracic surgery patients. Perioperative management of antiplatelet agents requires balancing the opposing risks of myocardial ischemia and excessive bleeding. Perioperative bridging with short-acting intravenous antiplatelet agents has shown promise in preventing myocardial ischemia, but may increase bleeding. We sought to determine whether perioperative bridging with eptifibatide increased bleeding associated with thoracic surgery. After Institutional Review Board approval, we identified thoracic surgery patients receiving eptifibatide at our institution (n = 30). These patients were matched 1:2 with control patients with CAD who did not receive eptifibatide from an institutional database of general thoracic surgery patients. The primary endpoint for our study was the number of units of blood transfused perioperatively. There were no differences in our primary endpoint, number of units of blood products transfused. There were also no differences noted between groups in intraoperative blood loss, chest tube duration, or postoperative length of stay (LOS). While there were no difference noted in overall complications, including our outcome of perioperative MI or death, composite cardiovascular events were more common in the eptifibatide group. In our retrospective exploratory analysis, eptifibatide bridging in patients with high-risk or recent PCI was not associated with an increased need for perioperative transfusion, bleeding, or increased LOS. In addition, we found a similar rate of perioperative mortality or myocardial infarction in both groups, though the ability of eptifibatide to protect against perioperative myocardial ischemia is unclear given different baseline CAD characteristics.

Dual antiplatelet therapy and non-cardiac surgery: evolving issues and anesthetic implications

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) consisting of aspirin plus a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor (clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor) is imperative for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome, particularly during the re-endothelialization period after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). When patients undergo surgery during this period, the consequences of stent thrombosis are far more serious than those of bleeding complications, except in cases of intracranial surgery. The recommendations for perioperative DAPT have changed with emerging evidence regarding the improved efficacy of non-first-generation drug (everolimus, zotarolimus)-eluting stents (DES). The mandatory interval of 1 year for elective surgery after DES implantation was shortened to 6 months (3 months if surgery cannot be further delayed). After this period, it is generally recommended that the P2Y₁₂ inhibitor be stopped for the amount of time necessary for platelet function recovery (clopidogrel 5-7 days, prasugrel 7-10 days, ticagrelor 3-5 days), and that aspirin be continued during the perioperative period. In emergent or urgent surgeries that cannot be delayed beyond the recommended period after PCI, proceeding to surgery with continued DAPT should be considered. For intracranial procedures or other selected surgeries in which increased bleeding risk may also be fatal, cessation of DAPT (possibly with continuation or minimized interruption [3-4 days] of aspirin) with bridge therapy using short-acting, reversible intravenous antiplatelet agents such as cangrelor (P2Y₁₂ inhibitor) or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (tirofiban, eptifibatide) may be contemplated. Such a critical decision should be individually tailored based on consensus among the anesthesiologist, cardiologist, surgeon, and patient to minimize both ischemic and bleeding risks.

Recent advances on smart TiO2 nanotube platforms for sustainable drug delivery applications

To address the limitations of traditional drug delivery, TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) are recognized as a promising material for localized drug delivery systems. With regard to the excellent biocompatibility and physicochemical properties, TNTs prepared by a facile electrochemical anodizing process have been used to fabricate new drug-releasing implants for localized drug delivery. This review discusses the development of TNTs applied in localized drug delivery systems, focusing on several approaches to control drug release, including the regulation of the dimensions of TNTs, modification of internal chemical characteristics, adjusting pore openings by biopolymer coatings, and employing polymeric micelles as drug nanocarriers. Furthermore, rational strategies on external conditions-triggered stimuli-responsive drug release for localized drug delivery systems are highlighted. Finally, the review concludes with the recent advances on TNTs for controlled drug delivery and corresponding prospects in the future.

Perioperative management of dual anti-platelet therapy

Dual anti-platelet therapy denotes a regimen of aspirin plus a P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitor, clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor. Such therapy is a cornerstone of medical management following acute coronary syndromes and is imperative following percutaneous coronary interventions. While there is uncertainty about the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention, the new 2016 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines suggest that for patients with stable ischemic heart disease at least six months of such therapy following a drug eluting stent and one month following a bare metal stent should be implemented. In patients with acute coronary syndrome including non-ST elevation and ST elevation myocardial infarction it is recommended to extend dual antiplatelet therapy treatment to one year in both drug eluting stent and bare metal stent groups. There may be latitude for earlier discontinuation in appropriately selected patients; extended dual antiplatelet therapy beyond one year may be beneficial in others. Herein, we describe current guidelines and evidence supporting if and when dual antiplatelet therapy should be interrupted for surgery for patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention.

Perioperative management of patient with intracoronary stent presenting for noncardiac surgery

As the number of percutaneous coronary interventions increase annually, patients with intracoronary stents (ICS) who present for noncardiac surgery (NCS) are also on the rise. ICS is associated with stent thrombosis (STH) and requires mandatory antiplatelet therapy to prevent major adverse cardiac events. The risks of bleeding and ischemia remain significant and the management of these patients, especially in the initial year of ICS is challenging. The American College of Cardiologists guidelines on the management of patients with ICS recommend dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) for minimal 14 days after balloon angioplasty, 30 days for bare metal stents, and 365 days for drug-eluting stents. Postponement of elective surgery is advocated during this period, but guidelines concerning emergency NCS are ambiguous. The risk of STH and surgical bleeding needs to be assessed carefully and many factors which are implicated in STH, apart from the type of stent and the duration of DAT, need to be considered when decision to discontinue DAT is made. DAT management should be a multidisciplinary exercise and bridging therapy with shorter acting intravenous antiplatelet drugs should be contemplated whenever possible. Well conducted clinical trials are needed to establish guidelines as regards to the appropriate tests for platelet function monitoring in patients undergoing NCS while on DAT.