Considerations and Guidelines for Use of Anticoagulants and Antithrombotics in Patients Undergoing Interventional Pain Management

Anticoagulants and antithrombotics are commonly used medications that alter hemostasis. In patients undergoing interventional pain management, assessment for use of these drugs and monitoring of their effect is essential before performing any procedure to prevent adverse sequelae due to impaired hemostasis. Many herbals and over the counter medications can interfere with the coagulation cascade and have additive and/or synergistic effects. This chapter discusses commonly used anticoagulants and antithrombotics and recent guidelines to minimize the risks associated with each drug class in patients receiving interventional pain management.