Effect of aspirin in coronary artery bypass grafting.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of aspirin (ASA) therapy on postoperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, reoperation for bleeding, duration of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital in a selected population undergoing a first coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.


METHODS
Prospective observational study in consecutive patients during a 3-month period.


METHODS
A teaching cardiothoracic center.


METHODS
Two hundred forty consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for the first time.


METHODS
Two hundred forty consecutive patients admitted for a first CABG the day before surgery were visited. patients with an abnormal routine coagulation screen or taking drugs that might have affected their coagulation mechanisms were prospectively excluded (n = 96). The date of the last dose of ASA was recorded in the 144 remaining patients, and data were acquired prospectively.


RESULTS
Total mediastinal blood drainage, blood products usage, reopening, and duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay were recorded. Patients were grouped by days free of ASA. There were no significant differences detected between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients undergoing a first CABG and with no known factors affecting their coagulation, ASA therapy did not appear to increase blood loss, reopening for bleeding, or blood products usage requirements during the hospital stay. ASA therapy did not influence the duration of stay in intensive care or in the hospital.
Vuylsteke
A
A
Department of Anaesthesia, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Oduro
A
A
Cardan
E
E
Latimer
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin