The effect of preoperative clopidogrel on bleeding after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Introduction: Clopidogrel treatment is associated with a reduction in thrombotic complications in coronary stent placement, improved outcome after acute coronary syndromes, and decreased mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of preoperative clopidogrel exposure on bleeding complications, blood transfusions requirements, and reoperations in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Patients And Methods: This study included 320 patients from a single institution that underwent an isolated CABG who were discharged between July 2003 and June 2004.