Journal of cardiac surgery
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Review Meta Analysis
Dual anti-platelet therapy after coronary artery bypass grafting: is there any benefit? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Anti-platelet therapy is an important component of medical therapy post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). While aspirin administration is a Class I indication after CABG, the benefit of concomitant clopidogrel is a controversial issue. ⋯ Dual anti-platelet therapy after CABG improved early saphenous vein graft patency, but may increase the risk of bleeding. The use of dual anti-platelet therapy appears to be most beneficial in patients undergoing off-pump CABG. Prospective randomized studies are necessary to determine whether this beneficial effect of dual therapy is also achieved in patients undergoing on pump CABG.