Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents for Lumbar Medial Branch RFN

Myth 1: Therapeutic anticoagulation (AC) and antiplatelet agents (APT) should be discontinued prior to lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) due to serious hemorrhagic risks. 

 Myth 2: The risk of a cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event resulting from temporary discontinuation of AC and APT medications for the purposes of a lumbar RFN procedure is negligible.

Learn about the facts surrounding this myth and the best practices to support safe performance of interventional pain procedures in your practice. 

Each participant will read the FactFinder and will answer post-test questions to earn continuing medical education (CME) credits.   

Authors
Clark C. Smith, MD, MPH; David C. Miller, MD, MA; Mathew Saffarian, DO; and Zachary L. McCormick, MD on behalf of the Spine Intervention Society’s Patient Safety Committee 

Copyright  
Materials presented in this activity have been made available by the Spine Intervention Society for educational purposes only. We reserve all rights to such material.

Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify best practices to ensure patient safety during interventional pain procedures.
• Cite the evidentiary basis for risk mitigation strategies in the safe performance of interventional pain procedures.

Author Disclosures Information
RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH ACCME-DEFINED COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Clark C. Smith, MD, MPH 
Nothing to disclose 

David C. Miller, MD, MA
Nothing to disclose

Mathew Saffarian, DO
Nothing to disclose

Zachary L. McCormick, MD
Nothing to disclose

OTHER DISCLOSURES
Clark C. Smith, MD, MPH 
Nothing to disclose 

David C. Miller, MD, MA
Nothing to disclose

Mathew Saffarian, DO
Nothing to disclose

Zachary L. McCormick, MD
Position in healthcare association/society: SIS, NASS, AAPM, Pacific Spine and Pain Society. 
Service as a consultant, expert witness: Medicolegal.
Grant and research support: Avanos, EpiMed, Skaggs Research Foundation
Travel Expenses: SIS Board of Directors. Speaker, American Academy of Pain Medicine; Speaker North American Spine Society.

References
References are provided within the FactFinder.

Accreditation Statement   
The Spine Intervention Society (SIS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.   

Credit Designation Statement   
SIS designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.   

Date of Activity Release: 12/15/2020   
Date of Activity Expiration: 12/14/2023