Allen Chong
Shoulder, Knee & Total Hip Surgeon
South West, Western Australia
What to do if you are on Blood Thinners?
This is general information and a reminder to consider your blood thinners before surgery. Confirm your plan with our staff before your surgery.
We aim to balance the risk of bleeding with the surgery and the benefits of the blood thinners you are taking.
Alert our team if you have had blood clot in the past, you are prone to bleeding, or have an artifical heart valve.
Advice for Specific Blood Thinners
Confrim your plans with our team
Reference Paper
Warfarin
This is a strong blood thinner. It should be stopped 5 days prior to surgery. A bridging (alternative) short acting thinner will be prescribed by our team or GP after you have stopped Warfarin.
NOACs
Apixaban, Rivaroxaban etc
These should be stopped 2 days before surgery. You do not need to add an alternate medicaion
Aspirin
Weak Anti-Platelet Medication
There is no need to stop. Keep taking this medication.
Stronger Anti-Platelet Medications
Clopidogrel, Prasugrel
Stop these 5 days before surgery
When to Restart Blood Thinners After Surgery
Commence 24 hours after surgery