Antithrombotic agents and invasive procedures--hematologist point of view.

The management of a patient treated with an antithrombotic agent who requires an invasive procedure remains challenging. There are antidotes neither for the antiplatelet agents nor the new anticoagulants. A good knowledge of basic pharmacology of these drugs and the help of a hematologist within a multidisciplinary approach are essential. The potential interest of laboratory tests and the use of reversal agents, and the transfusion of plasma and platelets will be discussed.