title: Bleeding diatheses and preoperative screening.
abstract: Bleeding disorders pose a significant perioperative risk. Surgeons and surgical consultants should have a working knowledge of the cell-based coagulation model. Careful screening for bleeding diatheses begins with a careful history and physical examination. It is paramount to ascertain what medications and nonprescribed supplements and herbal preparations a patient is taking, as these medications can have significant effects on perioperative bleeding tendencies. Finally, screening laboratory-based coagulation assays are available. These must be used judiciously with regard to a patient's history and the clinical circumstances surrounding the surgical stressor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8062, USA. edward.mcgillicuddy@yale.edu
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: McGillicuddy
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Maxfield
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salameh
authors.forename: Louis H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Usman
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Walter E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D011300:Preoperative Care