OBJECTIVE: This report suggests that impedance aggregometry can be helpful to assess optimum time for and minimize the risk of catheter removal during double antiplatelet therapy. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old patient undergoing cystectomy during combined general and epidural anesthesia suffered an acute myocardial infarction, and required coronary artery stenting and dual antiplatelet function therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Balancing the risks of stent occlusion and epidural bleeding, bedside impedance aggregometry helped to identify the optimum time window for epidural catheter removal with the lowest bleeding risk in this patient.
OBJECTIVE: This report suggests that impedance aggregometry can be helpful to assess optimum time for and minimize the risk of catheter removal during double antiplatelet therapy. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old patient undergoing cystectomy during combined general and epidural anesthesia suffered an acute myocardial infarction, and required coronary artery stenting and dual antiplatelet function therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Balancing the risks of stent occlusion and epidural bleeding, bedside impedance aggregometry helped to identify the optimum time window for epidural catheter removal with the lowest bleeding risk in this patient.