Quality and Safety in Endoscopy Units Around the Globe (On-Demand)

Guideline_ASGE Antithrombotics

Pdf Summary

The document provides guidelines for managing antithrombotic agents during gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Factors such as urgency of the procedure, bleeding risk, and effect of the drugs on bleeding risk should be considered when deciding on antithrombotic therapy. Low-risk procedures can usually continue therapy, while high-risk procedures should be decided on an individual basis. It outlines the timing of discontinuing and resuming therapy, as well as the use of bridge therapy in certain cases. Endoscopic therapy is safe and effective for patients on anticoagulants with active GI bleeding. For patients on antiplatelet agents, low-dose aspirin may be continued periendoscopically. Thienopyridines should be discontinued or switched to aspirin before high-risk procedures. Elective endoscopy should be delayed in patients with recent intracoronary stents or acute coronary syndrome. The decision to proceed with endoscopic evaluation should consider the risks and benefits.

Keywords

antithrombotic agents

gastrointestinal endoscopy

bleeding risk

antithrombotic therapy

low-risk procedures

high-risk procedures

endoscopic therapy

antiplatelet agents

discontinuing therapy

resuming therapy