Article Abstract:
A combination of aspirin and heparin may be safer and more effective than heparin alone for treatment of patients with unstable angina, or chest pain. Heparin and aspirin are used to prevent heart attacks during episodes of unstable angina. Of 403 patients with unstable angina, 107 were treated with intravenous heparin, 101 were treated with oral aspirin, 108 were treated with intravenous heparin and oral aspirin, and 87 received a placebo (an inactive substance). Fourteen of the 107 patients (13%) treated with heparin alone experienced a recurrence of unstable angina after treatment was discontinued, compared with five patients in each of the other three treatment groups. Eleven patients treated with heparin alone required emergency intervention such thrombolysis, angioplasty or bypass surgery, compared with two patients of all those in the other groups. Problems also developed earlier in the heparin treatment group, occurring in an average of 9.5 hours. The problems experienced by the patients in the other groups arose in an average of 28 hours.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
There are many medical conditions that can cause ST-segment elevation on an ECG. They include a heart attack, early repolarization, normal ST-segment elevation, left ventricular hypertrophy, left bundle-branch block, pericarditis, hyperkalemia, Brugada syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and Prinzmetal's angina. A procedure called cardioversion can also cause ST-segment elevation.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
The anticoagulant drug clopidogrel can lower the risk of heart attack in patients who have unstable angina but it can also increase the risk of bleeding. This was the conclusion of a study of 12,562 patients with chest pain who were given aspirin plus clopidogrel or a placebo, or inactive substance.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: