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| LETTER TO EDITOR |
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| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 54
| Issue : 1 | Page : 73-74 |
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Right middle cerebral artery aneurysm posted for clipping on dual anti-platelet therapy
Satyen Parida, Sandeep Kumar Mishra, K Sudeeep, Ashok Shankar Badhe
Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India
| Date of Web Publication | 9-Mar-2010 |
Correspondence Address:
Sandeep Kumar Mishra
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry
India
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5049.60510 PMID: 20532084
How to cite this article:
Parida S, Mishra SK, Sudeeep K, Badhe AS. Right middle cerebral artery aneurysm posted for clipping on dual anti-platelet therapy. Indian J Anaesth 2010;54:73-4 |
How to cite this URL:
Parida S, Mishra SK, Sudeeep K, Badhe AS. Right middle cerebral artery aneurysm posted for clipping on dual anti-platelet therapy. Indian J Anaesth [serial online] 2010 [cited 2013 May 24];54:73-4. Available from: http://www.ijaweb.org/text.asp?2010/54/1/73/60510 |
Sir,
Current recommendations regarding patients on dual antiplatelet therapy [1],[2] (Aspirin and Clopidogrel) presenting for surgery within a closed space (e.g., intracranial, spinal canal, posterior chamber of eye) are to stop Clopidogrel for at least 5 to 7 days prior to proposed surgery. Aspirin, if it is part of a dual antiplatelet regime, can be continued.
Cerebral aneurysms manifesting as subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) are associated with significant morbidity (50% amongst survivors) and mortality (25%). Rebleeds are common complications after aneurysmal SAH. The risk of rebleed is maximal, viz., at 4%, within the first 24 hours after SAH. After 48 hours, the risk increases by 1.5% everyday. At the end of 2 weeks, the total risk is around 19%. [3] Owing to risks of rebleeding, aneurysmal clipping within 0-3 days is strongly recommended for patients with well-preserved cognitive functions. The results of the International Cooperative Study on the Timing of Aneurysm Surgery (ICSTAS) [4],[5] suggested identical mortality of around 20% and favourable outcomes of about 60% for surgeries conducted either between 0 and 3 days or 11 and 14 days post-SAH. The worst outcomes and maximal mortality rates were for surgeries conducted between 7 and 10 days post-SAH. Patients with preserved neurological function did best when operated early.
A 68-year-old lady presented with severe headache of 3 days' duration, chest pain and altered sensorium. ECG features of anterolateral ischaemia had led to her being started on Aspirin and Clopidogrel. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 13/15. CT brain revealed right temporal haematoma with sulcal SAH. CT angio showed a right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm at M1-M2 junction. Antiplatelet medications were stopped, pharmacological anti-cerebral oedema measures instituted, and the patient was worked up for aneurysmal clipping. She was hypertensive for previous 3 years, on Amlodipine and Atenolol. Amlodipine was replaced with Nimodipine. Haemato-biochemical investigations were unremarkable except for International normalized ratio (INR) of 3.3. Surgery was postponed and patient transfused 4 units of Frozen Plasma (FFPs) and 4 units of platelet concentrates. Repeat INR was 1.3. Patient's GCS had improved to 15/15. She was posted for clipping of aneurysm on the sixth day of the SAH, which was 4 days after omission of aspirin and Clopidogrel. Four units of platelets were kept ready for use if necessary perioperatively. However, surgery was uneventful and concluded with a sub-galeal suction drain. The patient recovered fully and was extubated on table. Postoperative course of the patient was unremarkable.
Most guidelines agree that Clopidogrel be stopped at least 5 to 7 days prior to elective surgery if possible. However, for a situation such as the one we found ourselves in, wherein the risks of rebleed, vasospasm and suboptimal outcomes increase with each passing day of waiting, the approach is far from clear. With regard to Clopidogrel, pharmacological evidence does suggest a return of platelet function from day 3 after cessation of the drug, possibly due to formation of new platelets. [6] Hence we decided to take the patient up for surgery on the fourth day of omission of antiplatelet agents, after platelet transfusions and optimisation of other bleeding parameters. Clearly, a balance needs to be addressed between potential risks of perioperative bleeding and the risks associated with delaying surgery, especially in semi-emergency situations, even in neurosurgical procedures when Patient is on clopidogrel.
 References | |  |
| 1. | Mollman H, Nef HM, Ham CW, Elsasser A. How to manage patients with need for antiplatelet therapy in the setting of (un-)planned surgery. Clin Res Cardiol 2009;98:8-15.  |
| 2. | Chassot PG, Delabays A, Spahn DR. Perioperative antiplatelet therapy: The case for continuing therapy in patients at risk of myocardial infarction. Br J Anaesth 2007;99:316-28. [PUBMED] |
| 3. | Kassell NF, Torner JC. Aneurysmal rebleeding: A preliminary report from the cooperative aneurysm study. J Neurosurg 1983;13:479. |
| 4. | Kassell NF, Torner JC, Haley EC Jr, Jane JA, Adams HP, Kongable GL. The international cooperative study on the timing of aneurysm surgery, Part I: Overall management results. J Neurosurg 1990;73:18-36. [PUBMED] |
| 5. | Kassell NF, Torner JC, Jane JA, Haley EC Jr, Adams HP. The International cooperative study on the timing of aneurysm surgery, Part II: Surgical results. J Neurosurg 1990;73:37-47. [PUBMED] |
| 6. | Weber AA, Braun M, Hohfeld T, Schwippert B, Tschope D, Schror K. Recovery of platelet function after discontinuation of Clopidogrel treatment in healthy volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2001;52:333-6. |
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