[Perioperative management of new antiplatelet drugs]

The management of antiplatelet drugs in the perioperative setting is based on an individual evaluation of the thrombotic and bleeding risks. When the bleeding risk is deemed low, continuation of the dual antiplatelet therapy is usually recommended, especially in high thrombotic risk settings. When the bleeding risk is deemed moderate, at least one antiplatelet agent should be continued, usually aspirin, and clopidogrel and ticagrelor should be discontinued 5 days and prasugrel 7 days before surgery. In some rare instances of high bleeding risk, discontinuation of aspirin 3 days before surgery is usually acceptable. In high thrombotic settings, bridging with an intravenous antiplatelet drug with a short half-life may be considered.