When someone has a procedure to open up blocked arteries in their heart, known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), they often receive blood thinners.
These medications are important because they help prevent the formation of dangerous clots in the tiny metal tubes, called stents, that doctors place in the arteries to keep them open.
For a long time, doctors weren’t sure how long patients should keep taking more than one blood thinner after this heart procedure.
This uncertainty led to a detailed study focused on specific guidelines set by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). These guidelines are designed to help doctors decide who needs these medications for a longer period.
The study, shared at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions 2023 conference, focused on people who had heart procedures but didn’t have a complete heart attack, a condition referred to as Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.
The guidelines recommend that patients who have had a previous heart attack, have diabetes, suffer from chronic kidney disease, or have extensive heart disease should continue taking these blood thinners longer to prevent further complications.
Researchers looked into the medical records of patients who had heart procedures between 2012 and 2019 at a major healthcare center. They used the ESC guidelines to classify these patients into groups based on their risk of forming blood clots: low, medium, or high risk.
They paid special attention to heart-related problems, including heart attacks or deaths from any cause that occurred within a year after the procedure. They also looked at cases of major bleeding, which is a serious side effect of taking blood thinners.
The findings were telling. Patients who were in the medium and high-risk groups were more likely to experience heart problems within a year compared to those in the low-risk group.
This was especially true for deaths and heart attacks. Additionally, patients at high risk of clots were also more likely to experience serious bleeding.
Dr. George Dangas, who led the study and is an upcoming president of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions, highlighted the importance of tailoring heart care to each patient.
He pointed out that evaluating the ESC guidelines helps in creating more personalized treatments. This means doctors can identify which patients really need to continue taking multiple blood thinners to prevent future heart issues.
This research is part of a larger effort to fine-tune how heart care is given. By understanding who benefits most from extended blood thinner use, doctors can improve care and outcomes for patients who have undergone procedures to clear their heart arteries.
In summary, this study sheds light on the essential role of ongoing research in providing targeted, effective heart care. It underscores the importance of using well-defined guidelines to decide the best course of treatment for those at different levels of risk after heart procedures.
By doing so, it not only improves individual patient care but also enhances the overall strategies used in treating heart diseases.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
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