Six studies were included in the review (1,363 participants) comprising one randomised controlled trial (RCT), one retrospective cohort study, two retrospective case control studies and two retrospective analyses.
Of the 2,488 endoscopic procedures performed, 1,245 were performed under clopidogrel therapy. There were 13 bleeding episodes reported (1%; three studies): six episodes of immediate bleeding (two studies) and seven episodes of delayed bleeding (three studies). Four patients required re-hospitalisation or transfusion of packed red blood cells. Nine bleeding episodes occurred under dual antiplatelet therapy.
All episodes of bleeding occurred in patients undergoing colonoscopy with polypectomy; no episodes of bleeding were reported after endoscopic sphincterotomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or gastroduodenal forceps biopsy.
Details on the average polyp size and largest polyp size removed were presented for each study.