EFFECTS OF COMBINATION THERAPY ON PLATELET COUNT IN PATIENTS OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

• Main Authors: Sadaf Ahmed, Shamoon Noushad, Raza Naseer, Saima Khan, Sheikh Muhammad Tahir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baqai University Press 2014-12-01
• Series: Baqai Journal of Health Sciences
• Subjects: non-ST elevation myocardial infarction; ST elevation myocardial infarction; supra ventricular tachycardia; Acute coronary syndrome
• Online Access: http://www.baqaiassets.com/bjhs/admin/articlefiles/1467218485upl1.pdf

Aspirin and clopidogrel are usually used individually to prevent adverse cardiovascular events and stroke. They are used in stabilizing the blood pressure in patients of myocardial infarction while combination therapy of aspirin and Clopidogrel (dual anti-platelet therapy) is used for preventing adverse cardiovascular events in myocardial infarction patients. A cross-sectional observational study is conducted through a structured questionnaire from 110 patients of K.I.H.D (Karachi Institute of Heart Disease) hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Indoor/admitted patients with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTE-MI), ST elevation myocardial infarction (STE-MI), supra ventricular tachycardia (SVT) were included along with those with previous or current onset of angina pectoris or heart attack. Information from the test reports of these patients was included in the data. Patients without proper test reports were excluded from the study. Combination therapy duration is considered as key tool for evaluation. Out of 100 patients (after exclusion criteria applied) almost 18% patients were using the combination therapy for 10 to 25 years while 52% of patients were using the combination therapy for 1 to 10 years. Platelet count of 88% patients was found to be in between 1,50,000–3,50,000/µl. Remaining patients had less than 1,50,000 µl to more than 3,50,000 to 4,50,000 µl. Most frequently reported side effects were chest pain, respiratory issues, headache and depression. On the basis of our data analysis it is concluded that long duration dual anti-platelet therapy will not harm platelet count in human blood but it can create drug dependency in patients. Hypertension is not completely cured with this therapy but can help in stabilizing blood pressure.