A Brief Review of 50 Years of Perioperative Thrombosis and Hemostasis Management

Perioperative thrombosis and hemostasis management has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. From two anticoagulants and one anti-aggregant, the number of currently available drugs has recently increased several-fold, leaving clinicians with the problem of choosing the optimal agent. Individualized preoperative assessment of bleeding risk based on bleeding history and testing limited to high-risk patients is an emerging concept. Based on the identification of risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE), pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies for perioperative VTE prophylaxis have had a major impact on patient outcome. For patients undergoing surgery who are treated with anticoagulants and anti-aggregants, “bridging” strategies have been proposed. Bleeding management strategies have shifted focus from replacing lost blood volume to new approaches aimed at preventing blood loss, reducing the potential complications of blood loss, and preventing the transfusion of blood products. For some areas of perioperative thrombosis and hemostasis management, randomized controlled trial (RCT) data are emerging, but the database remains insufficient to date. Clearly, more RCTs need to be published for perioperative thrombosis and hemostasis management to become an evidence-based approach.