Abstract

TO STUDY THE DRUG UTILIZATION EVALUATION OF ANTIPLATELET AGENTS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Prof. J. S. Venkatesh, Shrikanth Godi, Sraddha R.* and Stephy Ponnachan

.

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Antiplatelet agents help prevent thrombotic events by inhibiting platelet aggregation and are central to CVD management. Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) ensures appropriate prescribing practices and optimises therapeutic outcomes. Objective: To identify and evaluate the utilisation of antiplatelet agents in hospitalised CVD patients. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted over six months in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee of SCS College of Pharmacy, Harapanahalli. Data from 207 inpatients from the Medicine and CICU departments were analysed using MS Office, Micromedex, and Medscape interaction checker. Results: Of 207 patients, 54.11% were male and 45.89% female. STEMI (32.85%) and NSTEMI (21.74%) were the most common indications for antiplatelet therapy. Hypertension was the most frequent comorbidity (35.27%). Aspirin was the most prescribed antiplatelet (97.58%), followed by clopidogrel and ticagrelor. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was more common (79.23%) than monotherapy (19.80%) or triple therapy (0.97%). Most drug interactions were moderate (61.35%), followed by major (17.29%) and minor (21.36%). Antiplatelet prescriptions were rational in 99.19% of cases, in line with the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (2023). Conclusion: The study emphasises rational use of antiplatelet agents in CVD management. Aspirin was most commonly prescribed, and DAPT was favoured due to its clinical benefits. Despite potential interactions, aspirin-clopidogrel combinations remain widely used due to their favourable benefit-to-risk ratio.

Keywords: Cardiovascular Disease; Drug Utilization Evaluation; Antiplatelet Agents; WHO Model List of Essential Medicines 2023.