Upper GI risks of NSAIDs and antiplatelet agents: key issues for the cardiologist.

The use of antiplatelet/antithrombotic agents (eg, low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel) in primary or secondary intervention treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease is a common practice among cardiologists. Furthermore, these agents frequently are used concomitantly with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that patients are taking for a wide array of rheumatologic- or orthopedic-related complaints. These therapies, however, have defined upper gastrointestinal (UGI) risks for ulcer-related injury and complications. It is important for the cardiologist to fully understand the UGI risk profiles so that each patient is evaluated as a candidate for possible preventive co-therapy with appropriate anti-ulcer medication.