Abstract
The objective was to describe the management and risk factors for complications of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients who underwent a surgical procedure in a single center. We reviewed medical records of all patients with primary or secondary APS who underwent an elective surgery during a 6-year period. Demographical data, management of anticoagulation and complications were recorded. We identified 43 patients, mean age 37.9 ± 8.9 years, who underwent a total of 48 elective surgeries. All patients had history of at least one thrombotic event and were under vitamin K antagonists. Before surgery, all patients received bridging therapy with intravenous infusion of heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Among the LMWH group, 36 had a full anticoagulation regimen and nine prophylactic doses. In 62% of the surgeries, we identified an optimal management of periprocedural anticoagulation according to guidelines. Overall six patients had severe bleeding and three thrombotic complications (full anticoagulation regimen n = 2 and prophylactic dose group n = 1). Patients with optimal management of anticoagulation experienced less thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications (7 vs. 33%; OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02–0.81; p = 0.040) and patients with INR ≤1.5 at surgery had fewer episodes of major bleeding (6 vs. 29%; OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.02–0.98; p = 0.050). All three thrombotic events occurred in patients with INR ≤1.5. Proper management of anticoagulation based on guidelines is associated with less complications in patients with APS. Notwithstanding the proper use of bridging therapy, some patients may develop thrombotic complications.
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The Institutional Review Board from our Institution approved this study.
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Yemil Atisha-Fregoso, Eric Espejo-Poox, Eduardo Carrillo-Maravilla, Alma Lilia Pulido-Ramírez, Diego Lugo B, Gabriela Hernández-Molina and Antonio R. Cabral declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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The study was funded with departmental resources.
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Atisha-Fregoso, Y., Espejo-Poox, E., Carrillo-Maravilla, E. et al. Perioperative management of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: a single-center experience. Rheumatol Int 37, 1159–1164 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-017-3727-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-017-3727-0