|  | Conditions Treatments | Heart Disease

Plavix Indications

Plavix is the brand name for the antiplatelet medication clopidogrel bisulfate. Blood clots, formed when blood platelets stick together in clumps, are the cause of most heart attacks and strokes. Individuals who have experienced a heart attack or stroke are at increased risk for a future heart attack or stroke. Doctors may prescribe Plavix in combination with other heart medications to reduce the incidence of blood clots.

  1. Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

    • Individuals with non-ST-segment elevation ACS/NSTEMI (unstable angina/non-ST-segment myocardial infarction -- heart attack) are at decreased risk of composite (combined) outcomes of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke when taking Plavix. Additionally, the medication alleviates the danger of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke or refractory ischemia (stiff and inflexible arteries causing poor blood supply). Those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction were at decreased risk of death by any cause, as well as composite outcomes of death, re-infarction or stroke.

    Recent Myocardial Infarction or Stroke

    • Individuals who have experienced a recent heart attack or stroke and begin taking Plavix have a decreased risk of composite outcomes of a new fatal or nonfatal heart attack, a new fatal or nonfatal ischemic stroke or other death caused by a vascular event.

    Established Peripheral Artery Disease

    • Established Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), often referred to as "poor circulation in the legs," is the blockage and narrowing of the peripheral arteries, usually in the legs and pelvis. Blood clots that develop in an artery that is already narrowed can cause death of surrounding tissue. Clots can also travel to other parts of the body. Plavix reduces the risk of composite outcomes of a new fatal or nonfatal heart attack, a new fatal or nonfatal ischemic stroke or other death caused by a vascular event.

    Heart-Related Chest Pain

    • Individuals hospitalized for heart-related chest pain had a decreased risk for future heart attacks and strokes when taking a combination of Plavix, aspirin and other heart medications.

Heart Disease - Related Articles