The Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis in Patients on Novel Oral Anticoagulants and Clopidogrel: A Single-Center Experience.

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The Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis in Patients on Novel Oral Anticoagulants and Clopidogrel: A Single-Center Experience.

Mayo Clin Proc. 2019 08;94(8):1535-1541

Authors: Patel PP, Singh S, Atwell TD, Kashyap R, Kern RM, Mullon JJ, Nelson DR

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of hemorrhagic complications in patients taking novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and/or clopidogrel who underwent an ultrasound-guided thoracentesis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of ultrasound-guided thoracenteses completed at an academic institution between January 1, 2016, and November 14, 2017. All patients who underwent a thoracentesis while actively receiving treatment with an NOAC and/or clopidogrel were included in the study. Primary endpoints are any significant post-procedure bleeding complication; defined as a hemoglobin decrease of greater than 2 g/dL in 48 hours, hemothorax, chest wall hematoma, and bleeding requiring transfusion, surgery, or chest tube placement.
RESULTS: A total of 115 thoracenteses were performed in 103 patients actively taking an NOAC (n=43) and/or clopidogrel (n=69). All patients used either the NOAC or clopidogrel within 24 hours before the procedure and continued using it daily thereafter. There were no bleeding complications.
CONCLUSION: The overall risk of significant hemorrhage in patients taking an NOAC and/or clopidogrel while undergoing ultrasound-guided thoracentesis is very low. Albeit the total number of procedures reviewed may be insufficient to prove definitive safety, it is sufficient to provide a measure of relative risk when assessing benefits of thoracentesis in these patients.

PMID: 31303429 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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