Effect of warfarin discontinuation on the incidence of postoperative bleeding in tooth extraction
Jung-Soo Lee, Moon-Key Kim, Sang‐Hoon Kang
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The number of patients undergoing oral anticoagulant therapy for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease is increasing. However, the risk of bleeding after tooth extraction in patients receiving warfarin is unclear. Here, we assess the risk of bleeding after tooth extraction in patients on warfarin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 260 patients taking warfarin who underwent tooth extraction (694 teeth). The patients were divided into those whose teeth were extracted while they were taking warfarin, those who discontinued warfarin before extraction, and those who underwent extraction while receiving heparin bridging therapy. Bleeding complications in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: =0.917). CONCLUSION: Warfarin use does not increase the risk of post-extraction bleeding and can therefore be continued during tooth extraction.