Colonoscopy with Polypectomy in Patients Taking Clopidogrel

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the bleeding risk of colonoscopy with polypectomy in patients taking clopidogrel. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients undergoing colonoscopy with polypectomy without interruption of clopidogrel. Patients with lesions larger than 1cm were generally rescheduled for polypectomy off clopidogrel. Most of the polyps were removed using cold snare technique. Endoscopic clips were routinely applied prophylactically. RESULTS: A total of 125 polypectomies were performed in 60 patients. The average polyp size was 5.4 ± 2.1 mm. One patient (1.7%, CI 0.3-8.9%) developed post-polypectomy bleeding that resolved without treatment. Three patients (5%, CI 1.7-14%) had immediate bleeding during the procedure and all resolved with prompt clip application. CONCLUSIONS: Polypectomy of lesions up to 1cm in size can be performed without interruption of clopidogrel.