Timing of Low-Dose Aspirin Discontinuation and the Influence on Clinical Outcome of Patients Undergoing Surgery for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

BACKGROUND: An appropriate time (5-7 days) of discontinuation of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in patients undergoing surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is recommended. However, patient clinical deterioration often does not allow to wait the recommended time for surgery. Clear guidelines regarding the perioperative management of patients with ASA therapy are still lacking. The aim of this study is to compare the surgical outcome, complications, and mortality of patients suffering from CSDHs who underwent urgent surgery or before and after 5 days of discontinuation of low-dose ASA.METHODS: A retrospective 3-center study included patients treated for CSDH taking low-dose ASA. Aspirin was discontinued on hospital admission. Based on the timing of discontinuation, we classified patients in 3 groups: urgent (surgery at admission), surgery within 5 days, and surgery 5 days after discontinuation. Surgery consisted of minicraniotomy or burr holes. Variables analyzed were age, comorbidities, modified Rankin Scale, complications, rebleedings, and mortality. Outcome measures were acute rebleeding requiring surgery, recurrence, mortality, complications, and clinical conditions. The chi(2) test and the Fisher exact test were used to compare variables. Logistic regression analysis was used for defining the impact on outcome measures.RESULTS: We enrolled 164 patients. After aspirin discontinuation, patients underwent surgery: on admission (69 cases [42.1%]), within 5 days (59 patients [36%]), and after 5 days (36 cases [22%]). No correlation was observed between time of discontinuation and outcome measures, including having a worse clinical outcome.CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that the time of discontinuation of ASA does not influence outcome.