[Perioperative therapy with antiplatelet agents].

Antiplatelet therapy is used to prevent thromboembolic complications in patients with artherothrombotic disease. In clinical routine an assessment of the risk of perioperative bleeding must be weighed against the risk of thromboembolic complications in the event of discontinuation of antiplatelet agents. The indications as well as the timepoint for the termination of antiplatelet therapy are important issues to consider. The premature interruption of oral antiplatelet therapy with recovery of platelet function may lead to recurrence of thromboembolic events. Especially patients with intracoronary stents are at threat when the dual platelet therapy is interrupted before complete endothelialization of the stent.