QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: GLOSSARY

Clopidogrel

Relatively new drug that reduces the tendency of platelets to activate and cause coronary thrombosis.

Works by interfering with the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) pathway in platelets.

Presently used mainly to prevent coronary thrombosis during coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

This drug is now being used in the treatment of angina and peripheral arterial disease, and in prevention of coronary thrombosis and stroke. The risk of bleeding is less than with other anti-thrombotic treatments, but it nevertheless has to be stopped before surgical operations because of the associated increased blood loss.

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