Anticoagulation
Register Today!- by maloneys Jul 16, '12I've just heard the term, "anticoagulation bridge". I'm not sure if I understand the "bridge" part. Can anyone clarify/help with this, please? Thank you in advance!
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Jul 16, '12 by Kara RN BSNFor some surgeries ie open heart pts need to get off coumadin but stay anticoagulated so they get "bridged" with lovenox or arixtra until surgery
- Jul 17, '12 by maloneysYes, anticoag preop makes sense, I had just not heard the 'bridge' term before. Thank you so much for clarifying!! :-D
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Jul 18, '12 by IHeartDukeCTICUYup typically, we use a heparin gtt for a bridge before surgey. Ex. Pt's who are about to undergo coronary bypass that have had stents placed in the past, we hold their coumadin or plavix (since those effects can last for days = higher risk for bleeding), and start them on heparin to help prevent further coronary occlusions.
We typically don't use the LMWH (lovenox, arixtra) b/c heparin is more easily titrated and monitored, effects are shorter than lmwh, & should the need arise we can administer protamine for reversal.maloneys likes this. -
