A clinical study of dental surgery in anticoagulated patients

Abstract

It is a worldwide trend that oral surgeons do not stop patients’ anticoagulant therapy, but they leave the INR in the therapeutic range (INR: 2.0-3.0). The reason is that stopping drugs carries a higher risk of embolism, and thrombosis. The purpose of the present study is to reproduce these international guidelines in a Hungarian setting. On the day of surgery a lab test is performed immediately before the operation. These tests include coagulation data. A control (INR<1.89) and an experimental group (INR: 2.0-3.0) were formed. Clinical complications, especially bleeding and thromboembolic complications were monitored. Based on the data and types of surgery no significant differences were found between the two groups. In conclusion it can be stated that it would be advisable to implement international guidelines and recommendations because there is a higher risk for anticoagulated patients if their therapy is stopped as if their INR is left in the therapeutic range. Of course appropriate wound care and bleeding control are necessary.