ANTIVITAMIN K VERSUS UNFRACTIONATED HEPARIN: ANESTHESIOLOGY SPECIALISTS PRACTICE IN PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

In the perioperative period, anticoagulation management presents a critical balance between preventing thromboembolic events and minimizing the risk of hemorrhage. Among the prominent anticoagulants utilized, two frequently employed agents are vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and heparin. VKAs exert their effects through the inhibition of the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Conversely, heparin, including both unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), operates by potentiating antithrombin III, thereby inhibiting thrombin and factor Xa. Anesthesiology specialists are tasked with navigating the complexities of these anticoagulation regimens in the perioperative setting to ensure optimal patient outcomes.