Korean J Med.
2007 Apr;72(4):333-339.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy in anticoagulated patients: diagnosis and treatment
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Recently, the treatment of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents for various cardiovacular and neurologic areas has become popular. Optimal endoscopic approach during the management of the anticoagulant requires consideration for relative risks of thromboembolism and bleeding, but the prospective data are limited. For procedures considered to have a low risk of bleeding such as diagnostic endoscopy or colonoscopy with simple biopsy, it is not necessary to discontinue anticoagulation therapy. For procedure with higher risk of bleeding such as endoscopic polypectomy or mucosal dissection, an individual modification of strategy is required. It should be recognized that the risk of thromboembolic event varies according to the underlying condition when adjustment of anticoagulation is required during endoscopic procedure.
