( A new study finds the popular anti-clot...)Plavix Safe During and After Heart Bypass,Health

A new study finds the popular anti-clotting drug clopidogrel (Plavix) when taken along with aspirin after off-pump heart bypass surgery, is safe without any adverse bleeding event.//

The study, to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 56th Annual Scientific Session on March 27 at 9 am (abstract 1027-18), found that Plavix, when used in addition to aspirin, will not worsen bleeding after off-pump heart bypass surgery.

The researchers led by David Whellan, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, conducted a retrospective study of more than 7, 000 patients who underwent off-pump heart bypass surgery. They report that the anti-platelet drug program appears safe--post surgery--when used with aspirin. Overall, they found that patients who took clopidogrel and aspirin experienced less gastrointestinal bleeding and fewer strokes and other cardiovascular complications than patients who were on aspirin alone.

"The new off-pump strategy is a proven surgical advance in the treatment of heart disease," Dr. Whellan says. "Improving outcomes for patients undergoing bypass surgery and keeping the new bypass grafts open is a critical issue. One possible strategy is to use clopidogrel, but there have been safety concerns, particularly regarding the risk of bleeding after surgery."

The researchers used data provided by the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), an alliance of 97 academic medical centers and 149 of their affiliated hospitals representing nearly 90 percent of the nation’s non-profit academic medical centers. The data were culled from over 800 institutions including more than 70 academic medical centers.

Data were used from patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, known as OPCABG, and were treated with aspirin alone or with aspirin and clopidogrel. Data on patients who received anticoagulation agents for valve replacemen
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Plavix Gets FDA Okay for New Indication
2. Sanofi-Aventis Allows Thais To Make Plavix
3. Oxygen Usage During Exercise Could Indicate Heart Problems
4. Predicting The Risk Of Preeclampsia During Pregnancy
5. Drugs Taken During Pregnancy Found To Affect Unborn Babies
6. Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy Not Safe
7. The Importance Of “ Good ”Control Of Diabetes During Pregnanc
8. The Effects Of Dental X-Rays During Pregnancy Questioned
9. The Use Of Antioxidants To Diminish Effects of Alcohol During Pregnancy Questioned
10. Oxygen Consumption During Workouts Could Indicate Heart Problems
11. Folic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy Could Help Prevent Spina Bifida