Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: Preventive Options

Extensive use of antithrombotic drugs (ATD) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD), on the one hand, provides a considerable decrease in the risk for development of life-threatening cardiovascular complications but on the other hand, is associated with a risk of gastrointestinal bleedings (GIB), which may develop in 0.5-1.0 % of patients. In such cases, the major measures for prevention of GIB are strict adherence to indications for the ATD treatment, detection and analysis of risk factors for GIB and their elimination as far as feasible. For evaluation of GIB risk in patients with IHD, the PRECISE-DAPT and DAPT, HAS-BLED scales should be used. If the risk factors are non-modifiable the therapeutic tactics for further management of these patients should be strictly individual with determining the nature of damage, degree of a risk for present and possible complications, and the range of required therapeutic and diagnostic measures. The use of ATD requires monitoring of the patient's condition to timely detect and treat GI complications.