Warfarin Cessation Before Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Lessons Learned from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Oral Vitamin K

BACKGROUND: No standard protocol of warfarin cessation and bridging for cardiac surgery exists. This study examined a single institution's protocol with respect to timing of cessation and low molecular weight heparin bridging. The recovery of vitamin K-dependent factors and the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on coagulation factors were explored. Administration of preoperative oral vitamin K was investigated in a randomized, …