Had a dentist suggest to a patient that he should stop aspirin for 2-3 days
prior to a dental extraction. Patient came to see me to check it was ok -
has a history of TIAs.
Two questions
First does it make a difference? I thought the effect of aspirin was on the
developing platelets released into the circulation and as such the bleeding
time will last as long as that "cohort" of platelets remains in circulation,
(around 120 days I think).
Second if the dentist is right and wants to improve his changes of
"clotting" - is that not putting the patient at an unacceptable risk of
further TIAs, for the "convenience" of the dentist?
John
Dr John Reid
G.P. Kiveton Park Medical Practice
Sheffield, U.K.
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