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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Analyzing Platelet Subpopulations by Multi-color Flow Cytometry
Published on: June 10, 2025
Perioperative use of anti-platelet drugs
Pierre-Guy Chassot1, Alain Delabays, Donat R Spahn
1Department of Anoesthesiology, University Hospital Lausanne (CHUV), Bugnon 46, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. pierre-guy.chassot@chuv.ch
Abstract:
Performing a surgical procedure on a patient undergoing anti-platelet therapy raises a dilemma: is it safer to withdraw the drugs and reduce the haemorrhagic risk, or to maintain them and reduce the risk of myocardial ischaemic events? Based on recent clinical data, this review concludes that the risk of coronary thrombosis on anti-platelet drugs withdrawal is much higher than the risk of surgical bleeding when maintaining them. In secondary prevention, aspirin is a lifelong therapy and should never be stopped. Clopidogrel is mandatory as long as the coronary stents are not fully endothelialized, which takes 6-24 weeks depending on the technique used, but might be required for a longer period.
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