A 60-year-old man with no significant past medical history is scheduled for elective cholecystectomy. He has been taking aspirin daily. Preoperative recommendations should include which of the following?
High-Yield Explanation
Discontinuation of aspirin at least 1 week before surgery. Aspirin inactivates platelet cyclo-oxygenase and thus inhibits platelet aggregation. The effect of aspirin is irreversible and lasts for the entire life span of the platelets. Therefore, aspirin should be discontinued for at least 1 week before surgery.