the vitamin K–dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X and proteins C and S.10,11 Heparin derivatives (unfractionated heparin [UFH] and low-molecular-weight heparin [LMWH]) are administered intravenously and should be administered 4 to 6 hours and 24 hours, respectively, before high-risk procedures.10,11 Fondaparinux (Arixtra, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States) is a specific inhibitor of factor Xa, with anticoagulant effects lasting for at least 36 hours.10,11 Rivaroxaban (Xarel-to, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Raritan, New Jersey, United States), apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey, United States), and edoxaban (Savaysa, Daiichi Sankyo Co, LTD, Tokyo, Japan) are direct factor Xa inhibitors, while dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States), hirudins, and argatroban (Acova, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Illinois, United States) are direct thrombin inhibitors.10,11 Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) reach a maximum effect 1.25 to 3 hours after ingestion and should be discontinued ≥ 48 hours before a high-risk procedure.11 These agents overcome some of the vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) pitfalls such as their narrow therapeutic window, the need for frequent monitoring, and dose adjustments as well as the interaction with foods and/or other drugs. However, specific antidotes are limited, with only idarucizumab (Praxbind, Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States) approved for use in cases of life-threatening uncontrolled bleeding or prior to emergency surgery in patients on dabigatran.12 Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are poor measures of drug effect and are insensitive and often minimally prolonged or normal in spite of therapeutic drug levels.13
Procedure Risks
There is an intrinsic risk of hemorrhage associated with endoscopic procedures. Hemorrhage may be immediately apparent at the time of endoscopy or may be delayed for up to 2 weeks following the procedure.
In general, a patient undergoing a procedure associated with low risk of bleeding (low-risk procedure) can (and should) safely continue antithrombotic therapy, particularly if the patient is at high risk for a thromboembolic event (high-risk patient).1 Conversely, a patient undergoing a high-risk procedure can temporarily discontinue antithrombotic agents safely if the patient is at low risk for a thromboembolic event (low-risk patient).1 The decision-making process is challenging when patients at moderate-to-high risk for thromboembolic events undergo high-risk procedures. Management also differs between elective and emergency procedures.1 Elective endoscopic procedures should be deferred until short-term anticoagulation therapy is completed.
Common endoscopic procedures vary in their potential to induce bleeding (
Assessment of Thrombotic Risk
The probability of a thromboembolic event related to the temporary interruption of antithrombotic therapy for an endoscopic procedure depends on the indication for antithrombotic therapy and individual patient characteristics (
Antiplatelet Agents Management
While the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) recommends continuation of low-dose aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the periendoscopic period,11 the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) recommends continuing aspirin for all endoscopic procedures, with the exception of endoscopic submucosal dissection, large colonic endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) (>2 cm), upper GI EMR, and ampullectomy (
Table 11.1 Risk stratification of endoscopic procedures based on the risk of hemorrhage
Low risk | High risk |
Diagnostic procedures including mucosal biopsy | Endoscopic polypectomy |
ERCP with stent placement or papillary balloon dilation without sphincterotomy | ERCP with sphincterotomy or large balloon papillary dilation |
Device-assisted enteroscopy without polypectomy | Endoscopic hemostasis |
Capsule endoscopy | Ampullectomy |
Enteral stent deploymenta (controversial) | EMR or ESD |
EUS without FNA | Endoscopic dilatation of strictures |
Argon plasma coagulation | Endoscopic therapy of varices |
Barrett’s ablation | PEGb/PEJ |
EUS with FNAc | |
EUS-guided biliary drainage | |
Transmural drainage procedures (e.g., pancreatic fluid collections, gallbladder drainage) | |
Tumor ablation | |
Abbreviations: EMR, endoscopic mucosal resection; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; ESD, endoscopic submucosal dissection; EUS, endoscopic ultrasound; FNA, fine-needle aspiration; PEG/PEJ: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy | |
aEnteral stent deployment risk is controversial for American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), low risk for Japanese guidelines, and high risk for European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). | |
bPEG on aspirin or clopidogrel therapy is low risk for ASGE, but high risk for ESGE and Japanese guidelines; does not apply to dual antiplatelet therapy. | |
cEUS-FNA of solid masses on acetylsalicylic acid/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is low risk. |
Table 11.2 Risk stratification for discontinuation of clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor, and warfarin therapy based on risk of thrombosis and consideration of need for bridge therapy
Low risk | High risk |
Clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor | |
Ischemic heart disease without coronary stents | Drug-eluting coronary artery stents within 12 months of placement |
Cerebrovascular disease | Bare metal coronary artery stents within 1 month of placement |
Peripheral vascular disease | |
Warfarin | |
Prosthetic metal heart valve in aortic position | Prosthetic metal heart valve in mitral position |
Xenograft heart valve | Prosthetic heart valve and atrial fibrillation |
Atrial fibrillation without valvular disease | Atrial fibrillation and mitral stenosisa |
> 3 months after venous thromboembolism | < 3 months after venous thromboembolism |
Thrombophilia syndromes | |
a Uncertainty exists regarding
|