title: Review of postoperative bleeding risk in dental patients on antiplatelet therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a review of the literature to assess risk for oral bleeding complications after dental procedures in patients on antiplatelet therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a search in Medline, Embase, and National Guideline Clearinghouse databases for studies involving patients on single and dual antiplatelet therapy that had invasive dental procedures or manipulations that induce oral bleeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature search yielded 15 studies that met inclusion criteria. There is a trend toward increased occurrence of immediate postoperative bleeding for dual antiplatelet therapy, but there is no increase in the occurrence of intra- or late postoperative bleeding complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no clinically significant increased risk of postoperative bleeding complications from invasive dental procedures in patients on either single or dual antiplatelet therapy. These findings support the recommendation that there is no indication to alter or stop these drugs, and that local hemostatic measures are sufficient to control bleeding.
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28232, USA. jjnapenas@hotmail.com
authors: Joel J
authors: JJ
authors: Napeñas
authors: Floor C D
authors: FC
authors: Oost
authors: Annika
authors: A
authors: DeGroot
authors: Bridget
authors: B
authors: Loven
authors: Catherine H L
authors: CH
authors: Hong
authors: Michael T
authors: MT
authors: Brennan
authors: Peter B
authors: PB
authors: Lockhart
authors: Denise E
authors: DE
authors: van Diermen
mesh_terms: D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006472:Oral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors