Kuprian, Mikhail2010-07-292010-07-292010-07-29https://hdl.handle.net/11299/92605The information provided in this handout does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Minnesota Medical School physicians and faculty. These materials are provided for informational purposes only and are in no way intended to take the place of the advice and recommendations of your personal health care provider. You use the information provided in these handouts at your own risk.Clopidogrel is a suicide inhibitor of ADP receptors on platelets preventing ADP activation of GPIIb/IIIa and subsequently preventing platelet aggregation. While this is beneficial in preventing thrombotic events, in the setting of surgery it can lead to increases in major bleeding events, require more blood and platelet transfusions, and even lead to further operations to correct for hemorrhage. Current recommendations suggest stopping clopidogrel prior to surgery. This pamphlet describes the function of platelets, function of clopidogrel and finally summarizes the current recommendations for antiplatlet therapy and surgery.en-USPlateletsClopidogrePlavixAntiplatlet therapySurgeryOther