Which class of medications should be avoided in patients on anticoagulant therapy post-surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding?

Acetylsalicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin, is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is known for its antiplatelet effects. This means it can inhibit platelet aggregation, which is essential for blood clotting. In patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy, particularly after surgery, the priority is to minimize any potential for increased bleeding. Aspirin’s ability to prolong bleeding time by preventing platelets from clumping together poses significant risks in this scenario, thereby necessitating its avoidance.

The other classes of medications listed do not carry the same bleeding risk. For instance, ACE inhibitors primarily affect blood pressure and do not influence platelet function. Potassium-sparing diuretics mainly focus on managing fluid balance and have no direct effect on hemostasis. Similarly, calcium channel blockers are used for conditions like hypertension and do not have implications regarding bleeding risk. Therefore, aspirin is clearly distinguished as the medication that should be avoided in this context due to its direct impact on the blood’s ability to clot efficiently.