Common blood thinners include: warfarin, apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran and low molecular weight heparin injections (e.g. tinzaparin).
Why am I on a blood thinner?
The most common reasons are previous blood clots (e.g. a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), having a mechanical heart valve, or an irregular heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation (AF) which can increase the risk of a stroke or other clots.
If you are not sure why you take a blood thinner, please discuss with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Before your procedure
A decision will be made whether to stop your blood thinner as this medication can cause bleeding complications during your operation. However, stopping your blood thinner can also increase your risk of a blood clot.
This decision therefore needs to be balanced and personalised to you, taking into account your medical history and risk of blood clots against the bleeding risk of the surgery required.
Some patients at higher risk of blood clots may need temporary blood-thinning tinzaparin injections while their usual medicine is stopped (often called ‘bridging’). You will receive instructions on what to do and how this will be given.
If you are concerned with the proposed management plan regarding your blood thinner treatment, please ask to discuss this with either the pre-assessment anaesthetist or consultant surgeon prior to your operation.
Important information
- Don’t stop your blood thinner drug unless you are instructed to do so by the hospital or your GP.
- If you are on warfarin, please inform your usual warfarin clinic of your planned operation and scheduled date.
- If your operation is cancelled, you must either restart your usual anticoagulation or continue blood-thinning injections. You should be contacted but please contact pre-assessment for guidance if you have not been informed.
- If you are on a tinzaparin injection before or after the operation and develop any side effects such as bleeding or a skin rash, phone the hospital ward for advice.
Contact
If you have any questions relating to your medication and upcoming surgery, please telephone us at the pre-operative assessment clinic H on 0191 24 48180 or clinic D 0191 213 9748, and ask to speak to your healthcare professional for advice.
