Utilization Patterns of Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Drugs in Cardiovascular Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases encompass a group of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications are commonly prescribed for patients with cardiovascular conditions, including myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Optimizing the use of these medications is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing associated risks. This study was conducted to evaluate the prescribing patterns and safety profiles of these agents in patients admitted to the cardiology department of a tertiary care hospital. Objective: To evaluate the utilization patterns and safety profiles of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs administered to cardiac patients in the cardiology department. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over six months at Siddaganga Hospital, involving 115 patients admitted to the cardiology department and prescribed anticoagulants and antiplatelet for cardiovascular diseases. Results: Of the 115 cases, cardiovascular disease was more prevalent in males (63%) than in females (37%). Most patients affected by cardiovascular disease belonged to the 60–69 age group (36.5%). The most common diagnosis among patients was CAD-ACS-AWMI (31.3%). Of the 115 patients, 40% received antiplatelet medications, 4.34% received anticoagulants, and 55.65% were treated with a combination of both. Aspirin (86.25%) was the most commonly prescribed antiplatelet, while heparin (52.17%) was the most frequently used anticoagulant. Of the 115 patients, 110 underwent laboratory investigations, with most undergoing platelet count testing. Conclusion: Our study concludes that anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs are crucial in preventing complications and managing cardiovascular diseases. Combination therapy was preferred, with antiplatelet drugs prescribed more frequently than anticoagulants.