Frequency of the bleeding risk in patients receiving warfarin submitted to arthrocentesis of the knee

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential bleeding risks of arthrocentesis in patients with different arthropathies and taking oral anticoagulants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen consecutive patients, 8 males and 7 females, treated with anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation (9 pts), deep venous thrombosis (4 pts) and replacement of cardiac valves (3 pts) were submitted to arthrocentesis for synovial fluid effusion due to different arthropathies. In all patients INR was