Postoperative Low‐Molecular‐Weight Heparin Bridging Is Associated with an Increase in Wound Hematoma Following Surgery for Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators

BACKGROUND: The perioperative management of patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) who undergo pacemaker (PM) and defibrillator (ICD) surgery remains controversial. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is often used; however, wound hematoma is a common complication. METHODS: At a single academic Canadian center, between July 2003 and June 2005, details of perioperative OAC bridging and the rate of wound hematoma requiring …