A survey of the peri-operative management of urological patients on clopidogrel

INTRODUCTION Peri-operative management of patients receiving platelet inhibitors, such as clopidogrel presents a dilemma to surgeons in every surgical specialty including urology. The risk of procedure-related bleeding while continuing clopidogrel needs to be weighed against the risk of thrombo-embolism after discontinuing it. The objective of the survey was to determine current UK practice regarding clopidogrel use/cessation in patients undergoing elective urological procedures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A 10-part questionnaire relating to pre- and postoperative clopidogrel use was mailed to all UK urology consultants listed in the British Association of Urological Surgeons' directory. RESULTS A total of 570 questionnaires were sent and 297 (52%) were returned. The majority of respondents stop clopidogrel prior to TUR surgery (96.6%), major urological surgery (91.7%), TRUS biopsy (90.6%), ESWL (81.8%) and cystoscopy and biopsy (70.1%). The time clopidogrel was stopped pre-operatively and restarted postoperatively was very variable and dependent on local guidelines or urologist preference. Almost half (49.5%) of the respondents would stop clopidogrel irrespective of its indication and 40.7% never consulted a cardiologist/haematologist before stopping clopidogrel. Less than half (43.4%) had a protocol/guideline in place concerning stopping clopidogrel before surgery. Of respondents, 43% do not routinely prescribe bridging therapy after discontinuing clopidogrel. Over half (55%) reported bleeding complications in patients who continued their clopidogrel during urological procedures and 22 (7.4%) of respondents reported an adverse thrombo-embolic event after stopping clopidogrel. The vast majority of respondents (92.8%) felt evidence-based guidelines on clopidogrel use during the peri-operative period would be useful. CONCLUSIONS This survey has highlighted a significant variation in practice with regards to pre- and postoperative management of clopidogrel in patients undergoing urological procedures. The results of this survey highlight the need for evidence-based guidelines for the peri-operative management of patients on clopidogrel.