What is the advantage of using clopidogrel over ticlopidine for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)?
Clopidogrel is associated with fewer adverse effects than ticlopidine, such as potentially life-threatening neutropenia. In addition, clopidogrel has been shown to reduce subsequent rates of mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, and bowel infarction when given within 48 hours after CABG. Aspirin doses of 100 mg daily have also been used for prevention of adverse events in patients with CAD, but may be less efficacious than higher doses in optimizing SVG patency.