WIREDGOV

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (Weds 28 October) published final guidance recommending the use of prasugrel in combination with aspirin as an option for preventing blood clots in the arteries of people with acute coronary syndromes.  Acute coronary syndromes refers to a group of heart problems which occur due to narrowed coronary arteries.  These heart problems cause chest pain, and specific types of heart attack.  Prasugrel is a drug that can reduce or prevent the formation of blood clots in arteries by reducing the clumping together of platelets in the blood. 

The guidance recommends prasugrel in combination with aspirin as an option for individuals who are having percutaneous coronary intervention, only when:

• immediate primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (a specific type of heart attack) is necessary or
• a blood clot blocking a stent has occurred during treatment with a drug called clopidogrel or
• the patient has diabetes mellitus.

People currently receiving prasugrel for treatment of acute coronary syndromes whose circumstances do not meet these criteria should have the option to continue therapy until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop.

Dr Carole Longson, Director at NICE said: “There are a range of heart problems classed as acute coronary syndromes - these conditions have a huge impact on the individuals affected. This new guidance recommending prasugrel in combination with aspirin will offer an additional treatment option for these specific individuals at risk of blood clots.”