BACKGROUND: A lower maintenance dose of clopidogrel may be appropriate in Japanese patients because the maintenance dose of ticlopidine is lower in Japan than that used in the United States. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 126 patients with 153 lesions who consented to take 50-mg clopidogrel to prevent stent thrombosis were enrolled. There was 1 case of early stent thrombosis (0.65%). Side-effects of clopidogrel occurred in 5 patients (4.0%). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study shows that 50 mg clopidogrel may be acceptable in Japanese patients.
BACKGROUND: A lower maintenance dose of clopidogrel may be appropriate in Japanese patients because the maintenance dose of ticlopidine is lower in Japan than that used in the United States. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 126 patients with 153 lesions who consented to take 50-mg clopidogrel to prevent stent thrombosis were enrolled. There was 1 case of early stent thrombosis (0.65%). Side-effects of clopidogrel occurred in 5 patients (4.0%). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study shows that 50 mg clopidogrel may be acceptable in Japanese patients.