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Dietary supplements: altered coagulation and effects on bruising
Scott M Dinehart1, Lance Henry
1Department of Dermatology, Arkansas Cancer Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. sdinehart@pol.net
Summary
Many patients use dietary supplements that affect blood coagulation and bruising. Surgeons must inquire about supplement use before surgery due to potential bleeding risks.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Herbal Medicine
- Surgical Patient Safety
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of patient use of dietary supplements.
- Potential for these supplements to impact blood coagulation and bruising.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify and describe dietary supplements affecting coagulation.
- Document supplements reported to alter bruising perioperatively.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive database searches (MEDLINE, Cochrane, IBIDS).
- Inclusion of keywords: bruising, bleeding, coagulation, hemostasis, herbal medicine, alternative medicine, dietary supplement.
- Manual searches of recent journal articles.
Main Results:
- In vivo and in vitro evidence confirms many dietary supplements alter coagulation.
- Limited evidence supports claims of reduced postoperative bruising from supplement use.
Conclusions:
- Surgeons must recognize the widespread use of potentially coagulative dietary supplements.
- Proactive inquiry regarding supplement use is crucial before surgical procedures.