Basis for Using Anticoagulants in Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Although thrombosis and coronary artery atheromas go hand in hand, why this should be so remains speculative. Indeed, why atheromas form at all is a mystery. Yet atheromas do promote clotting, and anticoagulants reduce this tendency. These drugs also prevent thrombi from propagating, lessen the chances for peripheral thrombi and emboli, hasten recanalization of occluded vessels, possibly dilate coronary vessels, and reduce circulating lipids.