Study ignites debate on new anticoagulant

摘要

San Francisco-Researchers claim that an experimental anticlotting drug that failed to demonstrate benefit in 2 previous studies showed positive results in a new study. They said the experimental drug, cangrelor, may offer another option for reducing peripro-cedural complications from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). But others are not so sure. Current guidelines recommend that patients being considered for PCI receive dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and a platelet adenosine diphos-phate-receptor antagonist, usually clopidogrel) to reduce the risk of developing stent thrombosis or myocar-dial infarction. But to achieve maximum benefit, clopidogrel, an oral agent, should be given 6 to 12 hours before PCI, and its antiplatelet effect can remain for days.