QJM Advance Access published online on February 5, 2008
QJM, doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcm148
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Management of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage complicating dual anti-platelet therapy
From the 1Consultant Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH42XY, UK and 2Department of Gastroenterology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
Address correspondence to Dr P.A. Henriksen, Consultant Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH42XY, UK. email: p.henriksen{at}blueyonder.co.uk
Received 25 March 2007 and in revised form 1 July 2007
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Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage is a serious complication of aspirin and clopidogrel (dual) anti-platelet therapy with a high morbidity and mortality. Using an illustrative case this article examines the prognostic significance of gastrointestinal haemorrhage and the risk of stopping anti-platelet therapy. The management of this clinical challenge is reviewed, in the absence of a clinical guideline, with particular reference to the judicious tailoring of anti-platelet therapy, the role of therapeutic endoscopy and the utility of blood transfusion.