Patient Information: Information related to angioplasty and stents as a treatment for coronary artery disease.
Understanding Anti-Clotting Therapy
An important treatment after your coronary stenting procedure.
Reducing the risk of blood clots is essential after receiving a coronary stent
After your coronary stent is implanted, your cardiologist may prescribe a number of medications that you will need to take each day for a period of time. This combination of drugs, called anti-clotting therapy (also referred to as blood thinners), reduces the risk of blood clots forming.
It is important to understand why anti-clotting therapy is essential and why taking all of your medications every day, as prescribed by your physician, is a critical part of your healthy recovery. In the content below you'll find:
- Important guidelines for taking your anti-clotting medications
- Tips to help you remember to take your medications
Why is anti-clotting therapy important?
Anti-clotting therapy can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or even death by reducing the chance of the formation of blood clots. Following a coronary stenting procedure, your body immediately begins the healing process. Your body's healing reaction to the placement of the stent is similar to the body's reaction to a cut on your finger. Platelets in your bloodstream aggregate at the affected site and have the potential to form blood clots.
What medications will I need to take?
Your cardiologist may prescribe aspirin and a second anti-clotting drug such as PLAVIX® (clopidogrel) or TICLID® (ticlopidine)*. Aspirin is usually taken long term, and the second anti-clotting medicine (PLAVIX or TICLID) is normally prescribed for a specific length of time by your cardiologist depending on individual needs. Before leaving the hospital, make sure you understand the dosage and durations of all medications that your cardiologist instructs you to take.
*PLAVIX® and TICLID® are trademarks of Sanofi-Aventis Corporation.
Why is it necessary to take two different medications?
Aspirin and other anti-clotting medications work differently. That's why a combination of anti-clotting drugs provides the best defense against blood clots. When you take all of your medications for the length of time prescribed by your physician, you increase your chances for a healthy recovery.
Can I stop taking the medications if I start feeling better?
Even if you feel good, continue to take your medications every day. If you stop taking your anti-clotting medications before being told to do so by your cardiologist, the chances of a blood clot forming - and a subsequent heart attack, stroke or even death - increase.
Reducing the risk of blood clots is essential after receiving a coronary stent
- Take the full dose of your aspirin and other anti-clotting medication every day. In order to work effectively, both your aspirin and other anti-clotting medication must be taken according to your prescription. Do not miss any dose of your medications.
- Do not stop taking or change your medications unless you are told to do so by the physician who implanted your stent.
- If any other health practitioner (including dentists) tells you to stop taking your aspirin or anti-clotting medication before the prescribed date, contact your cardiologist's office.
- Ask your cardiologist about potential side effects of your anti-clotting therapy before you leave the hospital. If you have any new symptoms, contact your cardiologist's office.
- You should inform physicians and dentists that you are taking anti-clotting medications and/or any other product known to affect bleeding before any surgery is scheduled and before any new drug is taken.
Medication Memory Tips
- Take your medications at the same time every day.
- Get a pillbox marked with the days of the week. Refill the pillbox at the beginning of each week.
- Keep a medicine calendar and mark it with a check each day after you take your medications.
- Mark your calendar for the date you need to have your prescription refilled. Allow enough time that you don't completely run out.
- Keep your medications somewhere that you will see them daily, like a nightstand, vanity or kitchen counter.
Taking your aspirin and anti-clotting medicine every day as prescribed by your physician is an easy way to take an active role in your healthy recovery. If you have any questions or concerns about anti-clotting therapy or your coronary stent, contact your cardiologist's office. They can help ensure that your recovery stays on track and guide you to additional resources as needed.
Important Information:
The TAXUS® Express2™ Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System is intended to be placed into certain types and sizes of coronary arteries to keep them open. This medical device is not appropriate for use in patients who are known to have an allergy to any components of the device (such as the drug paclitaxel, the SIBS polymer coating or 316L stainless steel) or who would otherwise be judged by a medical professional to not be appropriate candidates for placement of coronary stents (such as patients unwilling or unable to take prescribed antiplatelet medicines). Use of coronary stents carries certain risks, including the potential for serious injuries, side effects and even death. The complete FDA-approved directions for use and patient guide (with specific indications, contraindications, precautions and warnings) can be found on the Internet at www.stent.com or a copy can be obtained, free of charge, by calling 1-877-TAXUS-411 (1-877-829-8741). Patients should discuss the benefits and risks with their physicians to determine whether the TAXUS® Stent is an appropriate treatment choice. Federal law restricts this product to sale by or on the order of a physician.
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