Anti-Clotting Medications
Anti-clotting drugs that inhibit or break up blood clots are used at every stage of heart disease. They are generally classified as either antiplatelets or anticoagulants. Investigators are also studying combinations of anti-clotting drugs, which may be useful in patients with severe heart disease. All anti-clotting therapies carry the risk of bleeding, which can lead to dangerous situations, including stroke.
Antiplatelet Drugs. These drugs prevent formation of blood platelets. Platelets are very small disc-shaped blood cells that are important for blood clotting .
- Aspirin. Aspirin is an antiplatelet. It is the most common anti-clotting drug. Nearly anyone with existing heart disease or at risk for it is advised to take a low-dose aspirin every day.
- Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors. These powerful blood-thinning drugs include abciximab (ReoPro, Centocor), eptifibatide (Integrilin), tirofiban (Aggrastat), and lamifiban. They are administered intravenously in the hospital and are used after angioplasty surgery and stent placement.
- Thienopyridines. Clopidogrel (Plavix) and ticlopidine (Ticlid) are powerful oral platelet inhibitors.
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Anticoagulants. Anticoagulants help thin blood and include:
- Heparin
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Direct thrombin inhibitors
Anti-Platelet Drugs
Aspirin. Aspirin is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It stops blood platelets, which are major clotting factors, from sticking together to form a blood clot. A daily low-dose aspirin (75 to 160 mg) is usually the first choice for preventing heart disease in high-risk individuals. Aspirin can prevent by 25 – 50% the risk of heart attacks and death in people with existing heart disease and a history of heart attack. It also reduces the risk for stroke. According to a 2006 review, aspirin works equally well for both men and women.
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