Final answer:
Aspirin is stopped before surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding due to its effect on inhibiting platelet aggregation and prolonging bleeding time. It interferes with COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, crucial for clot formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspirin should be stopped four to five days before elective surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding during the surgery. This is because aspirin interferes with platelet function, notably by inhibiting the enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-1 and COX-2), which are involved in prostaglandin synthesis necessary for platelet aggregation and blood clot formation. By blocking these enzymes, aspirin reduces the effectiveness of platelets and thereby increases the bleeding time. As a result, it is recommended to avoid aspirin before surgical procedures to minimize this risk.
Aspirin is known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is commonly prescribed to patients with cardiovascular conditions for its anticoagulant properties to prevent blood clots. However, the anticoagulant effect of aspirin, while beneficial in preventing heart attacks or strokes, can lead to an increased risk of excessive bleeding during and after operations, which is why it should not be taken shortly before surgery.