{mosimage}• Aspirin should be given routinely to and continued for life in patients
with CHD – a dose of 75-150 mg aspirin per day is recommended in
post MI patients
• Clopidogrel (75 mg/day) is an effective alternative in patients
with contraindications to aspirin, or who are intolerant of aspirin.
• Caution should be exercised in the use of Clopidogrel, which can
cause GI upset in some patients.
• β-blocker therapy should be given to patients following myocardial
infarction unless there are contraindications
• Long term ACE inhibitor therapy should be given to patients
following MI with or without left ventricular dysfunction, unless there
are contraindications
• In post MI patients with left ventricular dysfunction, ACE inhibitor
therapy should be considered within 48 hours of the onset of
symptoms – refer to guidelines for the management of heart failure
• Caution should be exercised in the use of ACE inhibitors in patients
who are hypotensive, who have moderate renal failure, or who are
known to have renal artery stenosis.
