Management of Antiaggregated and Anticoagulated Patients Scheduled for Thoracic Surgery: Recommendations for Venous Thromboprophylaxis

The management of patients under the effect of antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents is a common challenge in thoracic surgery. Their temporary interruption or continuation needs a balanced assessment between the risk of thrombosis (interruption) and bleeding (continuation). Moreover, most patients must receive an anticoagulant for thromboprophylaxis (mainly a low-molecular-weight heparin). So, it is important to have in mind all surgical and anaesthetic implications of these drugs to take the optimal decision in each case.