Drug-coated stents are minute coils implanted in the artery that gradually releases a medicine to ensure the artery does not clog again. It is estimated that drug-coated stents have indeed saved the lives of more than six million people in the world.
Drug coated stents were not doubted for their safety till news regarding the development of potentially harmful clots did the rounds. Doctors opine, that if a patient discontinues Plavix, an anti-clotting medication, then he carries an enhanced risk of developing these life threatening blood clots. Yet, it is still unclear if the drug, Plavix, is safe to consume long term for stent patients.According to some doctors, the risk is not always detrimental, because an approximate 5 clots are found in every 1000 drug coated stent patients. An FDA panel is due to meet soon, to thrash out existing doubts. Patients with stents have been advised not to discontinue their medication without the advice of medical specialists.
Source-Medindia
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