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Pharmacology

Bridging therapy

Short-acting anticoagulation given when long-acting blood thinners are paused for surgery.

Bridging therapy uses short-acting heparin (typically low-molecular-weight) to maintain anticoagulation during the window when warfarin is paused for surgery. It's mainly used in patients at high stroke risk (mechanical heart valves, recent thrombosis).

What this means for you: not every anticoagulated patient needs bridging — your prescribing physician decides based on your specific risk. The protocol is detailed and shouldn't be improvised.

General information, not medical advice

What a term means for you depends on your own reports. Ask your treating doctor, or send your reports for a free review.

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