Is it Safe to Continue Aspirin in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy?

Objective: To evaluate peri-operative outcomes in patients on chronic aspirin therapy undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), with and without discontinuation of aspirin. Anti-coagulation and anti-platelet therapy are contraindications for PCNL per American Urological Association guidelines due to bleeding risk. However, there is potentially increased cardiovascular risk with peri-procedural aspirin withdrawal.

Methods: Patients on chronic aspirin undergoing PCNL between January 2014 and May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and stratified by continued or discontinued aspirin >5 days preoperatively. Hematologic complications, transfusions, and thrombotic complications were assessed with logistic regression model.

Results: Three hundred twenty-five patients on chronic aspirin therapy underwent PCNL-85 continued and 240 discontinued aspirin. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin change, estimated blood loss, transfusions, creatinine change, thrombotic complications, 30-days re-admissions, complications, or 30-day emergency department visits. Patients who continued aspirin had longer length of stay (1.6 vs 1.9 days, P = .03). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3 (OR 3.2, P = .02, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [1.2-8.4]), ASA score of 4 (OR 4.0, P = .02, 95% CI [1.2-13.1]), Black race, and previous smoking (OR 2.1, P = .02, 95% CI [1.1-3.9]) was associated with continued aspirin. Body mass index ≥30 was associated with aspirin discontinuation (OR 0.9, P = .004, 95% CI [0.9-1.0]). Increased postoperative hematologic complications were associated with additional anticoagulation medication (OR 2.9, P = .04, 95% CI [1.0-4.4]).

Conclusion: Continued aspirin use did not increase in postoperative complications in patients undergoing PCNL. Patients who are on additional anticoagulation medication are at risk of hematologic complications.