Perioperative use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and risks for adverse outcomes of surgery (original) (raw)

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Operative Bleeding Risk

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2016

Objective-To review the data on the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on bleeding during or after operative procedures and to offer guidelines for clinical management. Data Sources-Search of PUBMED and Medline for all articles in English from 1990-2016 with key words depression, antidepressants, bleeding, platelets, and operation. Study Selection: Studies were included if they reported information on bleeding complications during operative or childbirth procedures in patients taking antidepressants. Data Extraction-Due to the limited number and heterogeneity of studies with respect to the range of operative procedures and definition of bleeding complications, a qualitative approach was taken to summarize results rather than abstracting and aggregating data. Results-The weight of the evidence is that SSRI use increases the risk of bleeding complications during and immediately after surgery. However, given the limited data we cannot estimate the risk for a given patient having a given procedure. Conclusions-Clinicians must consider the risk to benefit ratio of discontinuing an SSRI before an elective operative procedure. Discontinuing SSRI medications may result in discontinuation syndrome, symptom recrudescence, or relapse of depression, while continuing an SSRI during surgery exposes patients to significant bleeding risks. Antidepressant prescribers must be cognizant of and take responsibility for discussing this potential problem and considering different options. This issue must also be the responsibility of the doctor performing the procedure, but frequently it will be the prescribing physician who alerts the surgeon to the potential bleeding risk associated with SSRIs. SSRIs and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are prescribed in 11% of people over age 12 in the United States, approximately 28-30 million people (1). It has

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and outcomes following cardiac surgery—a systematic review

Journal of Thoracic Disease, 2018

A high prevalence of depression is observed in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and depression has been shown to be an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line recommended therapy for depressive disorders, however due to their platelet inhibitory actions they have been associated with increased incidences of post-operative bleeding. This review has sought to address whether the use of SSRIs is associated with a higher rate of mortality, major adverse events or bleeding events following cardiac surgery. A retrospective literature search selected studies comparing the use of SSRIs with no SSRI use in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Seven of the ten studies analysed reported no significant difference in mortality in SSRI users. Five of the seven studies reporting bleeding events demonstrated no significant difference in SSRI users. Three of the five studies reporting other significant morbidity demonstrated no significant difference in SSRI users. Our study demonstrates the safety of the use of SSRIs for the treatment of depressive disorders in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Do selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors increase the risk of bleeding or mortality following coronary artery bypass graft surgery? A meta-analysis of observational studies

Perfusion, 2018

Introduction: Depressive illness has a high prevalence in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The first line treatment for depression are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which inhibit serotonin reuptake in the presynaptic neuronal membrane and uptake by platelets, inhibiting subsequent serotonin-mediated platelet activation. This presents a theoretically increased risk of bleeding and subsequent postoperative mortality. This review aims to investigate the effects of SSRIs on postoperative bleeding, defined as the need for transfusions and reoperation for bleeding, as well as 30-day mortality in patients undergoing CABG. Method: Four hundred and thirty-seven papers were screened with seven meeting the full inclusion criteria. Results: Meta-analysis demonstrated that SSRI use increased the risk of red blood cell transfusion (odds ratio (OR) = 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.26), but resulted in no difference in the rate of re-operation for bleeding (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.66-1.74). SSRI use had no effect on the rates of platelet (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.79-1.09) or fresh frozen plasma (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.74-1.24) transfusion nor on the mortality rate (OR =1.03; 95 CI: 0.90-1.17). Conclusion: This review demonstrates that SSRIs are largely safe in cardiac surgery as no increase in mortality was observed. However, there is a significantly raised chance of red blood cell transfusion. The heterogeneous nature of the current evidence base highlights the need for further research into SSRIs and whether any effect on patient outcomes in cardiac surgery occurs.

Association of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors with Transfusion in Surgical Patients

Anesthesia and analgesia, 2016

The clinical relevance of chronic exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to transfusion in surgical patients is unclear. We conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients undergoing cardiac, vascular, spinal, and intracranial surgery at 2 academic medical centers. Medication use, demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory values were determined at baseline by patient interview and review of medical records. The primary outcome was transfusion of any hemostatic allogeneic blood product (i.e., fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and/or cryoprecipitate) through postoperative day 2. The study sample consisted of 767 patients; 364 patients (47.5%) underwent cardiac surgery and the remainder underwent noncardiac surgery. Eighty-eight patients (11.5%) used SSRIs preoperatively. Among cardiac patients, the absolute number of allogeneic transfusions was higher for SSRI users than nonusers (2 [0-6] vs 0 [0-2], median [25%-75%], respectively, P = 0.008), and a simila...

Psychotropic Drugs and the Perioperative Period: A Proposal for a Guideline in Elective Surgery

Psychosomatics, 2006

Evidence-based guidelines for the perioperative management of psychotropic drugs are lacking. The level of evidence is low and is based on case reports, open trials, and non-systematic reviews. However, the interactions and effects mentioned indicate that patients who use psychotropics and require surgery have an enhanced perioperative risk. A group of clinicians from several clinical disciplines determined which risks should be considered in an integrated preoperative assessment, as well as how psychotropics might interfere with these risks. The risks that should be considered in the perioperative period are the extent of the surgery, the patient's physical state, anesthesia, the direct and indirect (Phase I and II) effects of psychotropics, risk of withdrawal symptoms, and risk of psychiatric recurrence or relapse. Because of new drug developments, the risk of interactions increases. The literature has not provided articles that systematically address these risks. On the basis of a systematic analysis of the available literature guided by the formulated perioperative risks, a proposal for the perioperative management of psychotropics was formulated. Patients who use lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclics, and clozepine have serious drug-drug interactions, with increased physical risks, including withdrawal, and therefore qualify for American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification 3. From the perspective of the physical risk, they require discontinuation. However, from the perspective of the risk of withdrawal and psychiatric relapse and recurrence, these patients deserve intensive, integrated anesthetic/psychiatric management. For patients on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) who are mentally and physical stable (ASA Classification 2), the risk of withdrawal seems to justify their continuation. Yet, patients on SSRIs with higher physical or psychiatric risks should be seen in consultation. Both the physical and psychiatric risks of patients who use antipsychotics and other antidepressants should be regarded as enhanced. From a physical perspective, they qualify for ASA Classification 2. From the perspective of withdrawal and psychiatric recurrence or relapse, they should be seen by (their) psychiatrists. Preoperative assessment clinics offer the opportunity to assess and evaluate these risks in order to deliver patient-tailored integrated care. Authors propose a model for quality management.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Intraoperative Blood Pressure

American Journal of Hypertension, 2012

BackgroundThe influence of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on blood pressure is poorly understood. We hypothesized that if SSRIs have an influence on blood pressure, this might become manifest in changes in intraoperative blood pressure. We aimed to study the association between perioperative use of SSRIs and changes in intraoperative blood pressure by measuring the occurrence of intraoperative hyper- and

Influence of preoperative use of serotonergic antidepressants (SADs) on the risk of bleeding in patients undergoing different surgical interventions: a metaanalysis

Purpose Serotonergic antidepressants (SADs) are one of the most widely prescribed group of drugs. Of late, the use of SADs is being associated with an increased risk of perioperative bleeding. However, the results are inconsistent. The present analysis was planned to evaluate the association between preoperative SADs use and the risk of bleeding/mortality in patients undergoing surgery. Methods Studies that had reported the effects of preoperative SADs use on the perioperative bleeding outcomes and/or mortality in adult patients undergoing surgical interventions were identified and evaluated for inclusion in the analysis. Outcomes evaluated were reoperation for bleeding event, requirement of blood/RBC transfusion and mortality. A meta-analysis was conducted, and a pooled estimate of odds ratio (OR) was calculated using the inverse variance method. Results Eight cohort studies, comprising a total of 79 976 SADs users and 485 336 non-antidepressant users were included in the final analysis. SADs use was not associated with increased risk of requirement of reoperation for bleeding event [OR = 1.48 (0.84À2.62)]. However, there was an increased requirement of transfusion [OR = 1.19(1.09À1.30)], which was not observed in the subgroup of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) [OR = 1.06(0.90À1.24)]. SADs use was associated with a substantial increase in mortality [OR = 1.53 (1.15À2.04)] in patients undergoing CABG but not in the overall population [OR = 1.1 (0.99À1.22)].

Safety of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor in Adults Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2009

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used in patients with coronary artery disease and depression, but they have been reported to increase the risk for bleeding. However, data on the short-term outcomes comparing SSRI and non-SSRI antidepressant use after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are limited. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,380 adults who received any antidepressants before CABG from 2003 to 2006 at academic medical centers participating in the University HealthSystem Consortium. The primary end point was defined as a composite of inhospital mortality or any bleeding events, including postprocedural hemorrhage or hematoma, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and reopening of surgical site. A total of 1,076 adults (78%) received SSRIs. After controlling for propensity of receiving SSRIs compared with non-SSRIs, no significant differences were found in the primary end point (9.4% vs 8.2%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 1.78), any bleeding events (6.5% vs 7.2%, OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.76), or in-hospital mortality (3.1% vs 2.3%, OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.65). There was no increased risk associated with SSRI use when the analysis was restricted to patients who received antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy for acute coronary syndromes (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.40 to 2.61) and when examined by age, gender, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and type of CABG (on pump or off pump). In conclusion, compared with non-SSRIs, the preoperative use of SSRIs does not seem to increase the risk for bleeding or in-hospital mortality after CABG.

Prognosis of Patients Taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Before Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2006

Depression is increasingly recognized as an independent prognostic risk factor in patients with coronary artery disease and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression in patients with cardiac disease is becoming more prevalent. We examined the long-term outcomes of patients on SSRIs before CABG. We prospectively examined collected data in the Duke Databank for Cardiovascular Disease from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2003. The median and maximum follow-up periods were 3 and 6 years, respectively. We screened patients who underwent CABG (n ‫؍‬ 5,364) and excluded those who underwent simultaneous CABG and valvular surgery (n ‫؍‬ 570). SSRI antidepressants included fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine, and clomipramine, and their use was determined from the inpatient pharmacy records during the index hospitalization. Outcomes included event-free survival from all-cause mortality, rehospitalization, and a composite end point of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization. Of 4,794 CABG-only patients, 246 (5.1%) took SSRIs before CABG. The SSRI group had a higher prevalence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and previous cardiovascular intervention. After adjustment for baseline differences, patients on SSRIs before CABG had increased risks of mortality, rehospitalization, and the composite end point (hazard ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 2.21, p ‫؍‬ 0.003; hazard ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 1.77, p <0.0001; and hazard ratio 1.46, 95% confidence interval 1.26 to 1.70, p <0.0001, respectively). In conclusion, SSRI use before CABG was associated with a higher risk of long-term post-CABG mortality and rehospitalization. The explanation behind these findings requires further research.