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Background: Hospitalists have long been involved in optimizing perioperative care for medically complex patients. In 2015, the Society of Hospital Medicine organized the Perioperative Care Work Group to summarize this experience and to develop a framework for providing optimal perioperative care., Methods: The work group, which consisted of perioperative care experts from institutions throughout the United States, reviewed current hospitalist-based perioperative care programs, compiled key issues in each perioperative phase, and developed a framework to highlight essential elements to be considered. The framework was reviewed and approved by the board of the Society of Hospital Medicine., Results: The Perioperative Care Matrix for Inpatient Surgeries was developed. This matrix characterizes perioperative phases, coordination, and metrics of success. Additionally, concerns and potential risks were tabulated. Key questions regarding program effectiveness were drafted, and examples of models of care were provided., Conclusions: The Perioperative Care Matrix for Inpatient Surgeries provides an essential collaborative framework hospitalists can use to develop and continually improve perioperative care programs. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2017;12:277-282., (© 2017 Society of Hospital Medicine)

Background: As our surgical population becomes older and more medically complex, knowledge of the most recent perioperative literature is necessary to optimize perioperative care. We aim to summarize and critique literature published over the past year with the highest potential to impact the clinical practice of perioperative medicine., Methods: We reviewed articles published between January 2014 and April 2015, identified via MEDLINE search. The final 10 articles selected were determined by consensus among all authors, with criteria for inclusion including scientific rigor and relevance to perioperative medicine practice., Results: Key findings include: long term β-blockade should be continued prior to surgery, routine screening with postoperative troponin is not recommended, initiation/continuation of aspirin or clonidine in the perioperative period is not beneficial and may increase adverse outcomes, preoperative diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may reduce risk of postoperative cardiovascular complications, new pulmonary risk indices are available that accurately estimate postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative atrial fibrillation is associated with increased long-term stroke risk, risk scores such as the CHADS2 (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes Mellitus, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack) are superior to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index in predicting adverse postoperative outcomes for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and utilization of bridging anticoagulation comes with a much higher risk of bleeding compared to patients who are not bridged., Conclusions: The body of literature reviewed provides important information for clinicians caring for surgical patients across multiple fronts, including preoperative risk assessment, medication management, and postoperative medical care., (© 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine.)

Hematologic disorders and patients on anticoagulants or at risk for venous thromboembolism encompass a broad array of diagnoses, which can potentially complicate perioperative planning and management. This article addresses both bleeding and clotting concerns as well as special hematologic issues., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

As our surgical population becomes older and increasingly medically complex, knowledge of the most recent perioperative literature can provide guidance for physicians across multiple specialties caring for the surgical patient. Common issues many clinicians encounter in the perioperative period relate to anticoagulation and renal disease. This article identifies gaps in knowledge for the fields of perioperative anticoagulation, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease and highlights recently published studies on these topics that attempt to fill these gaps and help clinicians provide excellent care for their patients.

Perioperative medicine is a growing area of research that brings together internists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and hospitalists. A medical team approach to ensure the best possible patient outcomes has fostered collaborative strategies across disciplines. Perioperative pulmonary complications are common and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Effective strategies to identify and reduce risks of pulmonary complications can improve patient outcomes. We review the new literature (2013 to early 2014) in the field of perioperative pulmonary medicine that reports new strategies to improve outcomes in the area of perioperative pulmonary care.

Perioperative medicine is an important and rapidly expanding area of interest across multiple specialties, including internal medicine, anesthesiology, surgery, cardiology, and hospital medicine. A multispecialty team approach that ensures the best possible patient outcomes has fostered collaborative strategies across the continuum of patient care. Staying current in this multidisciplinary field is difficult, because physicians interested in perioperative medicine would need to review multiple specialty journals on a regular basis. To facilitate this process, the authors performed a focused review of this literature published in 2013 and early 2014. In this update, key articles are reviewed that potentially impact clinical practice in perioperative cardiovascular risk prediction and risk management.

Background: This guideline addresses the management of patients who are receiving anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy and require an elective surgery or procedure., Methods: The methods herein follow those discussed in the Methodology for the Development of Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis Guidelines. Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines article of this supplement., Results: In patients requiring vitamin K antagonist (VKA) interruption before surgery, we recommend stopping VKAs 5 days before surgery instead of a shorter time before surgery (Grade 1B). In patients with a mechanical heart valve, atrial fibrillation, or VTE at high risk for thromboembolism, we suggest bridging anticoagulation instead of no bridging during VKA interruption (Grade 2C); in patients at low risk, we suggest no bridging instead of bridging (Grade 2C). In patients who require a dental procedure, we suggest continuing VKAs with an oral prohemostatic agent or stopping VKAs 2 to 3 days before the procedure instead of alternative strategies (Grade 2C). In moderate- to high-risk patients who are receiving acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and require noncardiac surgery, we suggest continuing ASA around the time of surgery instead of stopping ASA 7 to 10 days before surgery (Grade 2C). In patients with a coronary stent who require surgery, we recommend deferring surgery > 6 weeks after bare-metal stent placement and > 6 months after drug-eluting stent placement instead of undertaking surgery within these time periods (Grade 1C); in patients requiring surgery within 6 weeks of bare-metal stent placement or within 6 months of drug-eluting stent placement, we suggest continuing antiplatelet therapy perioperatively instead of stopping therapy 7 to 10 days before surgery (Grade 2C)., Conclusions: Perioperative antithrombotic management is based on risk assessment for thromboembolism and bleeding, and recommended approaches aim to simplify patient management and minimize adverse clinical outcomes.

Background: Before surgery, most patients receiving oral anticoagulation require temporary cessation of treatment. Physicians sometimes substitute heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin for oral anticoagulation in the perioperative setting ("bridging therapy"). We sought to characterize rates of bridging therapy use at 9 clinical centers to determine the extent to which the use of bridging is explained by clinical characteristics of patients (vs physician style) and to determine the 30-day incidence of thrombotic and bleeding complications., Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study. Periprocedural bridging anticoagulation was classified as none, prophylactic-dose heparin/low-molecular-weight heparin, or full-dose heparin/low-molecular-weight heparin. We collected data on patient and surgery characteristics, anticoagulation management, and thromboembolic and bleeding events., Results: A total of 492 of 497 consecutive patients completed the study; 54%, 14%, and 33% of patients had no, prophylactic, and full (therapeutic) doses, respectively, of heparin/low-molecular-weight heparin postprocedure. Two hospitals treated more than 80% of their patients with full-dose heparin, whereas the remaining 7 hospitals used full-dose heparin in an average of 22% of cases (P<.001); this variation persisted after adjustment for patient characteristics. There were 4 thromboembolic events (0.8%) and 16 major bleeding events (3.2%). Full-dose heparin/low-molecular-weight heparin postprocedure was associated with a higher likelihood of major bleeding: adjusted odds ratio 4.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.5-14.7)., Conclusion: Management of anticoagulation after an invasive procedure varies widely and is not explained by clinical characteristics of patients alone. The risk of major bleeding is strongly associated with the use of postoperative therapeutic doses of heparin/low-molecular-weight heparin., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Perioperative management of patients on warfarin or antiplatelet therapy involves assessing and balancing individual risks for thromboembolism and bleeding. Discontinuing anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy is usually necessary for major surgery but increases the risk of thrombotic events. Bridge therapy, the temporary perioperative substitution of low-molecular-weight heparin or unfractionated heparin in place of warfarin, is an effective means of reducing the risk of thromboembolism but may increase the risk of bleeding. The timing of warfarin withdrawal and timing of the preoperative and postoperative components of bridge therapy are critical to balancing these risks. Perioperative management of antiplatelet therapy requires special care in patients with coronary stents; the timing of surgery relative to stent placement dictates management in these patients.

The oral anticoagulant warfarin is a common medication that requires special consideration in the perioperative period. Although some procedures do not require warfarin interruption, the majority will necessitate its temporary cessation due to the risk of bleeding. Determining whether patients will benefit from the temporary use of a heparin product while warfarin is discontinued perioperatively (so-called "bridging" therapy) needs to take into consideration the risk of bleeding balanced with the risk of thromboembolism. Perioperative care also requires minimizing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Understanding the patient-specific and procedure-specific risks for VTE is paramount to employ optimal risk reduction strategies. This article uses a case-based approach to present the topics of perioperative warfarin management and postoperative VTE prevention.

After studies in the 1990s suggested that beta-blockers offer substantial benefits when given before surgery, several national organizations endorsed the perioperative use of these drugs as a best practice in certain patients, However, subsequent research has cast doubt on whether it is appropriate to use these drugs as widely as suggested by those early studies.

This article discusses the perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy and is part of the American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). The primary objectives of this article are the following: (1) to address the perioperative management of patients who are receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, and require an elective surgical or other invasive procedures; and (2) to address the perioperative use of bridging anticoagulation, typically with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH). A secondary objective is to address the perioperative management of such patients who require urgent surgery. The recommendations in this article incorporate the grading system that is discussed in this supplement (Guyatt G et al, CHEST 2008; 133:123S-131S). Briefly, Grade 1 recommendations are considered strong and indicate that the benefits do (or do not) outweigh risks, burden, and costs, whereas Grade 2 recommendations are referred to as suggestions and imply that individual patient values may lead to different management choices. The key recommendations in this article include the following: in patients with a mechanical heart valve or atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism (VTE) at high risk for thromboembolism, we recommend bridging anticoagulation with therapeutic-dose subcutaneous (SC) LMWH or IV UFH over no bridging during temporary interruption of VKA therapy (Grade 1C); in patients with a mechanical heart valve or atrial fibrillation or VTE at moderate risk for thromboembolism, we suggest bridging anticoagulation with therapeutic-dose SC LMWH, therapeutic-dose IV UFH, or low-dose SC LMWH over no bridging during temporary interruption of VKA therapy (Grade 2C); in patients with a mechanical heart valve or atrial fibrillation or VTE at low risk for thromboembolism, we suggest low-dose SC LMWH or no bridging over bridging with therapeutic-dose SC LMWH or IV UFH (Grade 2C). In patients with a bare metal coronary stent who require surgery within 6 weeks of stent placement, we recommend continuing aspirin and clopidogrel in the perioperative period (Grade 1C); in patients with a drug-eluting coronary stent who require surgery within 12 months of stent placement, we recommend continuing aspirin and clopidogrel in the perioperative period (Grade 1C). In patients who are undergoing minor dental procedures and are receiving VKAs, we recommend continuing VKAs around the time of the procedure and co-administering an oral prohemostatic agent (Grade 1B); in patients who are undergoing minor dermatologic procedures and are receiving VKAs, we recommend continuing VKAs around the time of the procedure (Grade 1C); in patients who are undergoing cataract removal and are receiving VKAs, we recommend continuing VKAs around the time of the procedure (Grade 1C).

The presents abstracts on medical topics regarding the perioperative medicine which include the perioperative myocardial infarction in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, the prediction of postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC), and to evaluate the variability of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in gastric bypass surgery patients.

A response by James D. Douketis et al to a letter to the editor about their article "Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines" that was published in the February 2012 issue is presented.