Taking Blood Thinners After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) involves angioplasty and often stenting. After this procedure, there's a chance that a blood clot will form at the blockage site. A blood clot can also form on a stent if you have one. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to help prevent this. Over time, the artery may also become blocked again. By keeping track of your symptoms, you help your doctor find problems before they become too serious.

To help prevent blood clots, you'll need to take aspirin or another medicine every day for a long period of time. You may also need a second medicine called a P2Y12 inhibitor. An example of this medicine is clopidogrel. Take these medicines exactly as directed. Doing so lowers your risk for heart attack and even death. Your doctor can tell you how long these medicines will be needed. Don't stop taking them without talking with your doctor first.