2025 Volume 16 Issue 9 Pages 1168-1172
Introduction: With the older population, the number of patients on antithrombotic therapy for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions continues to increase. This study aimed to investigate the effects of antithrombotic drug usage in patients with cervical spine and spinal cord injuries.
Methods: A total of 425 cases of cervical spine and spinal cord injuries treated surgically at our institution were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: 46 who were taking antithrombotic drugs at the time of injury (antithrombotic group) and 379 who were not (non-antithrombotic group). Variables analyzed included age at injury, mechanism of injury, type of injury, surgical procedures, perioperative complications, and AIS (ASIA Impairment Scale) classifications at initial presentation and final follow-up.
Results: The mean age at injury was significantly higher in the antithrombotic group (75.4 years) than in the non-antithrombotic group (62.0 years; p < 0.01). The mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly greater in the antithrombotic group (178 ml) than in the non-antithrombotic group (118 ml; p < 0.05). The incidence of perioperative systemic complications was significantly higher in the antithrombotic group (52.2%) than in the non-antithrombotic group (33.0%). No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding injury mechanism, type of injury, surgical time, improvement in paralysis, or incidence of thromboembolism.
Conclusions: In older patients with cervical spine and spinal cord injuries who are on antithrombotic therapy for ischemic vascular diseases, intraoperative blood loss is higher, and systemic complications occur more frequently after surgery. These risks should be carefully considered in managing such patients.
