title: Treatment algorithm for oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in epistaxis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is currently little published guidance on the management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication in patients admitted with epistaxis. The routine practice of withholding such medication in an attempt to control the epistaxis is common in the UK. However, this practice is not evidence-based, is often unnecessary, and can be associated with significant morbidity. This study introduces a treatment algorithm for oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in epistaxis patients, validated through a completed audit cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients admitted with epistaxis to the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust were studied via a two-audit cycle covering the implementation of a new treatment algorithm formulated jointly by the otolaryngology and haematology departments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On admission, 58 per cent of patients were taking some form of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. The number of patients having such medication withheld decreased significantly between the two audits, for all drugs studied (i.e. aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin). There was no significant increase in re-bleeding or re-admission rates between the audits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of this treatment algorithm would help standardise management for epistaxis patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, and should reduce morbidity associated with unnecessary routine discontinuation of such medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, UK. tim_biggs@ymail.com
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baruah
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mainwaring
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Harries
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Salib
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D000075202:Contraindications; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors