Why are doctors concerned about drug eluting stents?
Recent reports have shown that drug eluting or drug coated stents may be associated with the development of blood clots that could lead to heart attacks or death. The risk of a blood clot inside a stent is 8 in 1000. For comparison, your risk of dying in an automobile accident is 6 in 1000. 3. Is there a way to stop such clots from developing? To stop clots from forming within a drug coated stent, doctors prescribe aspirin along with a drug known as Plavix for three to six months, as recommended by the FDA. The most common side effects of Plavix are stomach pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, dizziness, and bleeding. Patients taking Plavix may be asked by their doctors to stop taking the drug if they are going to have an invasive procedure or surgery that could lead to bleeding. 4. Are there any problems associated with stopping Plavix? There are some very recent reports that suggest that patients who stop taking Plavix three to six months after placement of a drug coated ste
