Perioperative complications following preoperative cessation of antithrombotic agents for total knee arthroplasty

The number of elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has steadily increased. Elderly patients undergoing TKA usually have underlying diseases, and some of them take antithrombotic agents for the prevention or treatment of these co-morbidities, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or thromboembolic diseases. When these patients are scheduled to undergo TKA, preoperative cessation of antithrombotic agents is considered on the basis of its risks and benefits. This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of discontinuing antithrombotic agents for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on perioperative complications.Patients who underwent primary TKA between 2008 and 2012 were identified, and classified into two groups: group A, in whom antithrombotic agents were ceased preoperatively, and group B, in which patients did not receive antithrombotic therapy. Patient characteristics, history of antithrombotic therapy, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative blood transfusion, postoperative 30-day complications, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded.Of 885 patients undergoing primary TKA, 218 (24.6%) patients were included in group A, and 667 (75.4%) in group B. Group A received transfusion more frequently than group B (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative 30-day complications, and postoperative hospital stay.Patients who discontinued antithrombotic drugs before primary TKA do not have a higher incidence of postoperative 30-day complications, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or thromboembolic events. Moreover, the estimated intraoperative blood loss was not different compared with patients not receiving antithrombotic agents preoperatively. Larger prospective studies of this issue are required.