Risk of thromboembolism and bleeding after general surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation.
We provide insight into the risk of perioperative thromboembolism and bleeding in patients who have atrial fibrillation, use anticoagulants, and undergo a surgical procedure. Ninety-four patients underwent 121 noncardiac operations during a mean follow-up of 29 months. There was a 3.6-fold increased risk for all bleeding complications within 1 month after surgery compared with the control period (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 12.0). No thromboembolic event occurred in the first month after surgery compared with 11 events in the remaining period (0.4% per month).
Vink
Roel
R
Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.vink@amc.uva.nl
Rienstra
Michiel
M
van Dongen
Carlo J J
CJ
Levi
Marcel
M
Büller
Harry R
HR
Crijns
Harry J
HJ
van Gelder
Isabelle C
IC
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants