Anesthésie locorégionale et anti-agrégants plaquettaires : le jeu en vaut-il la chandelle ?

Interruption of antiplatelet therapy before surgery increases arterial thrombotic risk. It is no more systematically recommended when bleeding risk does not exceed arterial thrombotic risk. Performing regional anaesthesia in patient receiving antiplatelet agents increases probably the risk of haemorragic complications. In the first part of this review, the impact of regional anaesthesia on postoperative outcome and the risk of the different techniques are discussed. Then, published guidelines are presented and practical recommendations are provided to guide physicians in the use of antiplatelet agents in patients prone to benefit from regional anaesthesia.