Impact of clopidogrel on bleeding complications and survival in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

This study investigated the impact of preoperative clopidogrel on bleeding complications and survival during and after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) and assessed the possible role of the antifibrinolytic agent aprotinin for attenuating blood loss after clopidogrel exposure. Prospectively collected data of 753 consecutive adult patients undergoing OPCABG were retrospectively reviewed; 139 (18.5%) patients received clopidogrel preoperatively. Statistical methods used were student paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square analysis and Kaplan-Meier with log-rank analysis. Clopidogrel was associated with a significant increase in perioperative blood loss (P = 0.003) and more excessive postoperative haemorrhage (P = 0.04). Overall transfusion rates (P = 0.02) and the amount of administered blood products (P = 0.01) were also higher after clopidogrel exposure. Intraoperative aprotinin reduced postoperative bleeding significantly in patients administered clopidogrel [18.7% after 24 h (P = 0.006) and 15.2% after 48 h (P = 0.03)] and attenuated excessive postoperative haemorrhaging. Five-year survival was markedly improved in clopidogrel-treated patients. Preoperative clopidogrel exposure does increase perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion requirements in patients undergoing OPCABG but has an otherwise excellent safety profile with a 94% 5-year survival rate. Aprotinin attenuated this blood loss. Based on these results a recommendation to discontinue clopidogrel prior to coronary artery bypass grafting cannot be maintained, if OPCABG strategies are considered.