Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2763805 | Journal of Clinical Anesthesia | 2007 | 11 Pages |
Drug-eluting stents were introduced into clinical practice to decrease coronary stent restenosis rates. Though remarkably effective in reducing this complication, recent data reveal that drug-eluting stents pose a significant risk for late stent thrombosis, an event strongly correlated with discontinuation of anti-platelet therapy. Because anti-platelet agents are often discontinued perioperatively, patients with DES are at risk for perioperative stent thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Along with a review of the recent literature, we present two cases of patients with drug-eluting stents scheduled for renal transplantation. Two distinct antithrombotic management strategies illustrate the risk of either approach—bleeding and transfusion versus stent thrombosis and myocardial infarction.