INTESTINE Vol.18 No.5(8)

Theme Management of antithrombotic agents for colorectal endoscopic procedures -- Validity of new guideline by Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society
Title Management of patients taking antithrombotic agents before gastroenterological endoscopy
Publish Date 2014/09
Author Takuya Inoue Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Yosuke Abe Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Munetaka Iguchi Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Naoki Yorifuji Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Kaori Fujiwara Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Taisuke Sakanaka Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Sadaharu Nouda Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Kazuki Kakimoto Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Toshihiko Okada Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Ken Kawakami Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Toshihisa Takeuchi Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
Author Kazuhide Higuchi Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical Collage
[ Summary ] Withdrawal of antithrombotic agents for gastroenterological endoscopy can be associated with life threatening thromboembolisms. Therefore, the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society is more focused on thromboembolism prevention than gastrointestinal hemorrhaging associated with continuation of antithrombotic agents, as revealed in their 2012 guidelines. According to these guidelines, warfarin should be replaced with unfractionated heparin 3 to 5 days before endoscopy. In our hospital, patients are usually admitted 5 to 7 days before endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colonic polyps, and warfarin is replaced with a continuous infusion of 10,000 to 15,000 units of heparin per day until 3 to 6 hours before EMR procedures. In the case of novel oral anticoagulants being used, patients are admitted 1 to 2 days before EMR, and heparin replacement is performed. However, so far, the level of evidence is not adequate to prove the efficacy of this treatment modality.
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