Impact of preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy on perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Objective: To evaluate the impact of preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin and clopidogrel on perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion requirements.

Methods: A total of 60 patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) performed by the same surgeons. And they were assigned to receive dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin and clopidogrel (group AC, n = 30) and discontinue antiplatelet therapy more than 5 days before surgery (group control, n = 30).

Results: No significant inter-group differences existed in basic clinical characteristics (all P > 0.05). Itraoperative blood loss volume was similar for two groups (637 ± 257 vs 635 ± 196 ml, P = 0.978). No significant inter-group difference existed in 24 h chest drainage volume (522 ± 160 vs 524 ± 204 ml, P = 0.961) or total volume of chest drainage (1044 ± 337 vs 1118 ± 198 ml, P = 0.306).

Conclusions: Preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin and clopidogrel does not increase the total volume of postoperative chest drainage.