A Randomized Comparison of Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Therapy after the Placement of Coronary-Artery Stents

Intracoronary stenting is an accepted treatment for vessel closure after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). 1 – 3 Moreover, as compared with balloon angioplasty, elective stent placement reduces the rate of restenosis. 4 , 5 However, thrombotic occlusion of the stent, as well as hemorrhagic and peripheral vascular complications due to the intensive anticoagulation recommended for the first few weeks after the procedure, seriously limits the benefits of intracoronary stenting. 6 , 7 Recent studies with intravascular ultrasonography or coated stents suggest that anticoagulant therapy may be dispensable. 8 , 9 We recently identified a high level of surface expression of the inducible fibrinogen receptor on platelets as . . .