Efficacy and safety of antiplatelet therapy including ticlopidine after coronary artery stenting

Efficacy and safety of antiplatelet therapy including ticlopidine after coronary artery stenting were evaluated in 200 patients in Japan. Ninety-seven patients (48.5%) received ticlopidine with aspirin, 96 patients (48.0%) received ticlopidine with aspirin and cilostazol, and 7 patients (3.5%) received ticlopidine alone. Neither stent thrombosis nor cardiovascular events were observed in all patients. One case of cerebral bleeding and nasal bleeding each occurred, and laboratory examination showed urinary occult bleeding in I patient. These 3 bleeding complications were observed in patients receiving ticlopidine with aspirin and cilostazol. These findings indicate that antiplatelet therapy including ticlopidine is effective and safe after coronary artery stenting in Japan. However, careful observation about bleeding complications is required when cilostazol is administered adding to ticlopidine and aspirin.