"Everything turned upside-down. It was supposed to be a minor surgery.The bleeding was profound and unstoppable. We lost him "
"We are very angry. They blamed us for not telling them our dad was on antiplatelet therapy. We never know that it does matter."
Antiplatelet therapies are not uncommon nowadays. Often, you will find out that quite a few people that you know are taking these medicines.
Antiplatelet therapy is used in both primary and secondary prevention therapies for cardiac ischeamic complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction etc.
There are few classes of antiplatelet medicines. The one that most people heard of is aspirin (low dose), commonly known as the medicine use to prevent heart attacks.
The other commonly prescribed antiplatelet medicines include clopidogrel, ticlopidine and ticagrelor.
If you are taking any of the medicines from these classes, please remember :
Always tell your doctors about your antiplatelet therapy if you are going to undergo any elective surgery. If you are seeing a dentist, tell him/her about this too.
Usually, the doctor will ask you to stop taking your antiplatelet medicines before undergoing the surgery. For instance, stop taking 5-7 days for clopidogrel or 7-14 days for ticlopidine before the date of your surgery to lower the bleeding risk.
However, it is important that you and your family members are aware of this. This may make a DIFFERENCE in the critical moment.
Do seek medical advice if you are in doubt.
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