Anticoagulant therapy, anti-platelet agents and gastrointestinal endoscopy

Background: The increasing use of anticoagulant therapy and anti-platelet a gents in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular, cerebrovas cular and venous thromboembolic disease has increased the need for guidelin es for managing these agents prior to gastrointestinal endoscopy, particula rly if therapeutic manoeuvres are required. The continuation of anticoagula nt therapy increases the risk of haemorrhagic complications of gastrointest inal endoscopy. Temporary Suspension of anticoagulant therapy exposes the p atient to the risk of thromboembolism associated with the underlying condit ion requiring anticoagulant treatment. Conclusions: This article reviews the literature and proposes guidelines fo r the management of patients taking anticoagulant and anti-platelet agents who require gastrointestinal endoscopy.