Does epidural affect platelet count?

Does epidural affect platelet count?

In the new experience, 40 percent of women requiring cesarean section received general anesthesia. This group had lower platelet counts than women receiving epidural or spinal anesthesia. The rate of complications related to general anesthesia was substantial: 6.5 percent.

Why is platelet count important for epidural?

Platelets are found in the blood and are an essential part of a blood clot. A low platelet count increases the risk of bleeding. People with a low platelet count often require a lumbar puncture or epidural anaesthetic for administration of treatment or to aid in diagnosis.

How high do platelets need to be for epidural?

For most, if it’s below 80,00 they will not do an epidural, others have more rigorous guidelines and platelet count will need to be above 100,000 for an epidural. #2 – You are on medications that interfere with blood clotting. See low platelet count.

Can I have an epidural if my platelets are low?

Low platelet counts can lead to: Inability to have an epidural during labor due to a risk of epidural hematoma, in which abnormal blood collection in the spine can cause spinal cord damage. Increased bleeding at the time of vaginal or cesarean section delivery.

Does anesthesia affect platelet count?

There is no current evidence that intravenous induction agents, opiates, or muscle relaxants affect platelet function. Reports indicate that local anaesthetic agents inhibit platelet aggregation, but only at concentrations far greater than peak plasma concentrations found during clinical use.

What is a normal platelet count for a woman?

What is a healthy platelet count? A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Having more than 450,000 platelets is a condition called thrombocytosis; having less than 150,000 is known as thrombocytopenia.

When should I worry about high platelet count in pregnancy?

As elevated platelet counts can be an indicator of an underlying medical condition, it is highly recommended that you further consult and discuss with your doctor to address your concerns, especially if your high platelets condition is persistent.

What is the minimum platelet count permissible for spinal anesthesia?

In the absence of these additional risk factors, a platelet count of 80 x 10(9)/l is a ‘safe’ count for placing an epidural or spinal anaesthetic and 40 x 10(9)/l is a ‘safe’ count for lumbar puncture.

What is the minimum platelet count for surgery?

Guidelines often recommend a platelet count threshold of 50 x 109/L prior to major surgery and 100 x 109/L prior to surgery involving the brain or eyes (Estcourt 2017; Kaufman 2015; NICE 2015). Guidelines often do not go into further detail about risks for different types of surgery.

What platelet count is safe for surgery?

Most invasive surgical procedures can be carried out safely with a platelet count above 50×109/L or international normalised ratio (INR) below 2.0.

Is a platelet count of 130 bad?

A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Having more than 450,000 platelets is a condition called thrombocytosis; having less than 150,000 is known as thrombocytopenia.

What is a dangerously low platelet count?

What is a low platelet count? A count lower than 150,000 platelets per microlitre of blood is considered to be thrombocytopenia, which means a lower than normal platelet count. Below 50,000 is a seriously low platelet count. Below 10,000 is considered severe thrombocytopenia, with a risk of internal bleeding.

Why are platelet counts important to an anaesthetist?

Very low platelet counts are a concern to obstetric anaesthetists because of the risk of haemorrhage within the bony confines of the spine leading to paraplegia as a result of cord compression from a spinal haematoma following regional blockade.

Are there any clinical indications for epidural anesthesia?

Clinical indications for epidural anesthesia and analgesia have expanded significantly over the past several decades.

Why do you need a lumbar puncture for platelet count?

Background: People with a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) often require lumbar punctures or an epidural anaesthetic. Lumbar punctures can be diagnostic (haematological malignancies, subarachnoid haematoma, meningitis) or therapeutic (spinal anaesthetic, administration of chemotherapy).

What should my platelet count be before neuraxial procedure?

Platelet count ≥70K 10 6 /L without history of or current bleeding: “Reasonable to proceed with neuraxial procedure” Platelets count <70K 10 6 /L: “Additional (hematologic) work-up may be beneficial prior to proceeding with neuraxial procedure”