Procedure Playbook: A Guide for Patients Who Take Medicines to Prevent Blood Clots and Need a Procedure or Operation

If you take medicine like blood thinners, antiplatelets, or aspirin to prevent blood clots, then procedures (such as surgeries, or operations) can require careful planning on how to safely start or stop medications.

The Procedure Playbook is for people who are planning for a procedure. Inside our quick guide, you’ll find:

• How to adjust your medicines before and after a procedure (including surgery or operation)

• Tools & worksheets to help track changes to your perioperative (or “around the time of surgery”) medication schedule

Note: The Playbook is based on medical guidelines and is NOT personalized medical advice. Always discuss medication adjustments with your care team beforehand. This guide was developed for people who take medicine to prevent blood clots and need a planned surgery or procedure. It is not for people who need an emergency operation.