The United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association (cardiac group) has launched a card for patients to improve communication about the intended length of treatment with antiplatelet medicine predominantly following percutaneous coronary intervention.  Combination antiplatelet therapy (with aspirin and, for example, clopidogrel or prasugrel) is established for the prevention of coronary thrombi in patients with coronary artery stents and acute coronary syndromes. The length of the course depends on factors including the pre-existing clinical condition of the patient, the procedure undertaken and the type of stent deployed. Failure to communicate adequately the intended duration of combination therapy to the patient and the primary care physician can result in inappropriate early discontinuation of treatment, increasing the risk of intra-stent thrombosis and subsequent myocardial infarction. This appears to be particularly important with drug-eluting stents. Providing patients with written information from an interventional centre on the expected length of therapy may help reduce the incidence of inappropriate discontinuation or prolongation of therapy.  Originally designed by Sotiris Antoniou of the pharmacy department at the Barts and The London Heart Centre, the antiplatelet card has been endorsed by the British Cardiovascular Society and British Cardiac Intervention Society. The UKCPA is making the card available to ensure that patients have written information on the reason why an antiplatelet drug has been started, their daily dose, the drug’s concurrent use with aspirin and the planned duration of therapy. The card also provides details on possible adverse effects and potential interactions with other medicine, and highlights the need to consult a doctor before any surgical procedures. Further information, and the card, is available from the UKCPA by contacting Sylvia Mills (tel 0116 2776999) or by emailing finance@ukcpa.com.

To see a sample of the card, click here

To see a sample of the card completed, click here