Hemostasis is a physiological process of stopping bleeding. It consists of 4 main phases: the vascular constriction phase, the platelet plug formation phase, the coagulation phase and the fibrinolysis phase. This balanced process of hemostasis can be affected by certain diseases and drugs. Antithrombotic drugs are used in the treatment and prevention of a large number of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Antithrombotic drugs are divided into two groups: anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Anticoagulant drugs affect the coagulation phase. There are oral (warfarin and new anticoagulant drugs dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) and parenteral anticoagulants (unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin). Antiplatelet drugs affect the phase of platelet aggregation, the most famous representatives being acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), dipyridamole and P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel). New anticoagulant drugs have improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and have recently replaced warfarin because they are equally effective, do not require regular monitoring and have a low chance of toxic reactions and heavy bleeding due to their short halflife. Antithrombotic therapy is never discontinued without consulting a hematologist, and most cases of postoperative bleeding can be stopped by local measures of hemostasis. It should always be borne in mind that the risk of thromboembolic events in the event of discontinuation of therapy is much higher than the risk of prolonged or subsequent bleeding.