Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Celiac Plexus Block

Nafisseh S Warner1, Susan M Moeschler, Matthew A Warner

  • 1From the *Department of Anesthesiology, †Division of Pain Medicine, and Departments of ‡Neurology and §Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Insights

Celiac plexus blocks (CPB) can be safely performed in patients taking aspirin or NSAIDs. This study found no significant increase in bleeding complications in patients on these medications.

Area of Science:

  • Pain Medicine
  • Interventional Radiology

Background:

  • Celiac plexus blockade (CPB) carries risks like bleeding and neurologic injury due to proximity to vital structures.
  • Preprocedural antiplatelet medication use and coagulation status are key factors influencing CPB safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of bleeding complications in patients undergoing CPB.
  • To evaluate the impact of preprocedural antiplatelet medication and coagulation status on CPB-related bleeding.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of adult patients undergoing CPB from 2005-2014.
  • Primary outcome: red blood cell (RBC) transfusion within 72 hours.
  • Secondary outcome: bleeding complications requiring specialist evaluation within 31 days.

Main Results:

  • 402 procedures on 298 patients; 14.4% received aspirin/NSAIDs preoperatively.
  • RBC transfusion rate was 1.2% (5 patients), with only one on preprocedure NSAIDs.
  • No bleeding complications required emergency, neurology, or neurosurgical evaluation.

Conclusions:

  • CPBs can be safely performed in patients on aspirin and/or NSAID therapy.
  • The study did not identify increased bleeding risks associated with these medications.
Abstract

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