Preoperative aspirin and heparin therapy does not increase perioperative blood loss and blood product requirements in coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Purpose. The effects of preoperative aspirin (ASA) and/or heparin therapy on perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements were studied in patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using perioperative blood cell salvaging techniques. Methods. The amounts of perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements were recorded in four groups of patients, based on the preoperative medication: ASA group (51 patients), heparin group (33 patients), and ASA plus heparin group (38 patients), as well as a control group (49 patients who received neither of these medications). Results. There were no significant differences among the four groups in cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, or the number of coronary artery grafts performed. Postoperative blood loss was highest in the ASA group, followed by the control, the ASA + heparin, and the heparin groups. Neither postoperative blood loss nor transfusion requirements showed significant differences among the four groups. Simultaneous administration of heparin with ASA also did not increase the blood loss or transfusion requirements. Conclusion. Preoperatively administered aspirin and/or heparin did not significantly increase perioperative blood loss or the total amount of transfusion requirements. It is not necessary to delay elective CABG if blood cell salvaging techniques are used.