Successful emergency surgery in a patient on dabigatran, after reversing the anticoagulation effect using Idarucizumab – A case report

Abstract

Surgeons are required to keep themselves updated on ever-increasing list of drugs that may influence the\xa0outcomes of surgeries, especially in an emergency scenario. Here, we report a case of acute abdomen,\xa0wherein the patient was on dabigatran, a ‘Non-vit. K/Direct Oral Anti-Coagulant’ (NOAC/DOAC). NOACs\xa0are relatively recent additions to anticoagulation care. In our patient, dabigatran was prescribed by a\xa0cardiologist to prevent the occurrence of stroke in the patient who was suffering from atrial fibrillation.\xa0In case of uncontrolled bleeding, or when an emergency surgery is needed, the effect of dabigatran can be\nreversed with the use of a specific monoclonal antibody – idarucizumab. Knowledge about the drug & its\xa0reversal agent, and a multi-disciplinary approach, could make it possible for us to operate on the patient,\xa0and avoid excessive bleeding during the surgery.\n\nKeywords:\xa0Anticoagulant\xa0dabigatran etexilate\xa0emergency surgery\xa0idarucizumab.