As I mentioned recently on a radio program that I record, stents are usually placed after a  balloon angioplasty procedure. It’s also important to have these patients be put on anti platelet drugs immediately. Most people refer to these anti platelet medications as blood thinners (though this is not exactly correct). The most popular one available by prescription is clopidogrel (Plavix).

Research published in the April 20, 2010 online edition of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes reported that patients who had a drug eluding stent placed and delayed in filling their prescription for clopidogrel had much higher rates of death/heart attack during the follow up period.

The reasons for filling the prescriptions were varied but showed how important discharge planning is for many patients after hospitalization. Money is not always the determining factor as many patients have co-morbid conditions and transportation problems that may delay their going to the pharmacy.  bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

Circulation Journal · clopidogrel · drug eluding stents · Plavix

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