Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

To the Editor: The perioperative use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents may vary among physicians.(1,2) Indeed, in the Perioperative Ischemic Evaluation-3 (POISE-3) trial conducted by Devereaux et al. (May 26 issue),(3) the use of such agents was left to the discretion of the attending physician. Did tranexamic acid reduce bleeding regardless of whether the patient was taking antiplatelets or anticoagulants, especially immediately before the procedure? To the Editor: Devereaux et al. report reduced bleeding with the receipt of tranexamic acid as compared with placebo during noncardiac surgery among patients 45 years of age or older who were at risk for . . .

Automated summary

This article discusses the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents during surgery, as well as the role of tranexamic acid in reducing bleeding.