100 docs attend conf on ‘oral anti-platelet therapy’ in city: Chandigarh, January 12: Around 100 physicians including eminent cardiologists across region including from PGI attended a conference on ‘Oral Antiplatelet Therapy’ at a hotel here on Sunday. The conference was organized by Ojas Hospital’s Jyotiragamaya Academic Foundation. 
The conference started with an interactive session on the role of ‘aspirin’ in heart diseases. Dr Anurag Sharma, chairperson of Jyotiragamaya Academic Foundation emphasized that aspirin should not be given to all patients for prevention of coronary artery diseases and to those who do not have any risk factor for heart disease. Also it should be recommended only in those patients who have history of heart attack, after bypass surgery, angioplasty and stenting, said Dr Anurag who is also a director cardiology at Ojas Hospital, Panchkula .
A panel of Prof. Rajesh Vijayvergia from PGI, Jeet Ram from GMCH 32, Dr HK Bali from Paras Hospital and Dr R K Jaswal, director Fortis Hospital deliberated on the challenges and benefits of anti-platelet drugs. They concluded that the therapy has to be individualized on the basis of bleeding risk, thrombosis risk, presence of risk factors, age, weight and diabetic condition.
Dr. Puneet K. Verma director cardiology at Ace Heart & Vascular Institute Mohali, threw light on the role of ‘ticagrelor’, a new anti-platelet drug in patient of coronary artery disease. He emphasized that thrombotic risk and bleeding risk should be properly measured, monitored and balanced before selecting drugs for patients.
Dr. Sudheer Saxena director & head cardiology at Max Hospital Mohali explained the role of the potent anti-platelet drug ‘prasugrel’ in patients who have undergone angioplasty and in patients who have high thrombotic risk and low bleeding risk.
Dr. Arun Chopra director cardiology at Fortis Escorts Hospital Amritsar talked about the role of seasoned ‘clopidogrel’ which is still a drug of choice for coronary artery diseases, stable angina and one year after angioplasty and bypass surgery . It is still the most affordable and easily available, he opined.
At the end of conference a platelets quiz was also be organized followed by prize distribution.
The conference gave an opportunity to listen and interact with learned and highly experienced experts in the field of cardiology, maintained Dr Anurag.
