AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question I am a recent post stent pt.(3/18/09)right coronary artery that was 99% blocked(only symptoms were burning in my chest with exercise.This is no longera problem).? are there any changes of thought on how long one has to be on Plavix post surg.
I did not have a heart attack,non smoker,exercise 4 days/wk.cholesterol levels were wnl prior to surg.but after statin rx x 2 mo..I'm 140 total,LDL 74,HDL 45.
Mother had a m.i.IN HR 50's but lived w/o problems til age 81.
Thank you for you input.
Answer Dear Al
You did, most likely, have a heart attack but probably not in the conventional sense. I have to presume the blockage was caused by a clot in absence of any other diagnosis from you. If so then you'll probably be on Plavix for life. It is a very safe drug in the long term and does not usually cause any appreciable adverse effects. Even excessive bleeding is usually not a problem and it is only for major surgery that interruption in therapy is advised.
