What is the recommended perioperative management for aspirin?

What is the recommended perioperative management for aspirin?

• A. Continue through surgery.
• B. Should be held before surgery.
• C. Dose increased before surgery.
• D. Discontinued long-term after surgery.

Answer: (B)

Holding aspirin before elective surgery is usually the best approach because of how aspirin affects bleeding risk. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function, and new platelets are needed to restore normal clotting. Since platelets live about 7 to 10 days, stopping aspirin several days before the procedure (typically about 5–7 days) allows platelet function to return, reducing intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. In contrast, continuing through surgery would raise bleeding risk, increasing complications. Increasing the dose isn’t warranted and could worsen bleeding. Stopping long-term after surgery isn’t appropriate as a routine strategy; instead, aspirin is usually resumed once hemostasis is secured and the patient is safe to continue antiplatelet therapy.

Holding aspirin before elective surgery is usually the best approach because of how aspirin affects bleeding risk. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet function, and new platelets are needed to restore normal clotting. Since platelets live about 7 to 10 days, stopping aspirin several days before the procedure (typically about 5–7 days) allows platelet function to return, reducing intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. In contrast, continuing through surgery would raise bleeding risk, increasing complications. Increasing the dose isn’t warranted and could worsen bleeding. Stopping long-term after surgery isn’t appropriate as a routine strategy; instead, aspirin is usually resumed once hemostasis is secured and the patient is safe to continue antiplatelet therapy.