The role of clopidogrel in the emergency department

Abstract

Despite major advances in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), 1 in 3 Canadians die from cardiovascular disease. In 1998, the total economic burden of cardiovascular illness in Canada was $159 434.5 million dollars — $83 953.9 million in direct costs and $75 479.6 in indirect costs. During the past 20 years, several pharmacologic adjuncts have been investigated with hopes of ameliorating the consequences of ACS. Notably, clopidogrel has become a common component of ACS therapeutic regimens since its introduction in 1998. Both new medications and those already accepted as standard treatment deserve critical evaluation to ensure they are safe and effective.