Assessment of postoperative bleeding after dental extractions in patients who are on antiplatelet therapy: A prospective study

Introduction: Patients with ischemic heart disease are placed on antiplatelet therapy (APT). This study allows a definite protocol to be set which will allow us the make the right judgment when it comes to extractions in patients on APT. Materials and Methods: For this study, 100 patients were taken up for dental extraction after obtaining a thorough case history. Bleeding time was assessed preoperatively for all the patients and patients with normal bleeding time were taken up for surgery under local anesthesia. Local haemostatic measures were employed after the extraction. Patients were monitored for first 30 minutes at the clinic and a telephonic review of all the patients was done at 24 h-48 h interval after the procedure. If there was an active ooze from the surgical site at any point, haemostatic measures with local haemostatic agents were carried out. Results: In patients with mono antiplatelet therapy, bleeding was noted in 16 patients after the 1 h time interval and was absent after 24h-48 h time intervals. The q = 32 and the P < 0.001, making it statistically significant. Regarding patients on dual APT, bleeding was noted in ten patients after 1 h, and in one patient after 24 h with no patients presenting with bleeding at the 48 h time interval. The q = 16.545 and P < 0.001, making it statistically significant. Discussion: The benefits of continuing APT for patients who require dental extraction outweighs the risks of postoperative bleeding. Conclusion: Antiplatelets are used for the prevention of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and vascular death among patients who are at high risk of these events. Antiplatelets have minimal impact on the amount and duration of bleeding following routine dental extractions.