Final answer:
Brilinta is an anti-platelet therapy used to prevent new blood clot formation and growth of existing clots in patients with NSTEMI, especially after procedures like left heart catheterization. Along with aspirin, it forms dual anti-platelet therapy which has been shown to reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication Brilinta, also known as ticagrelor, is an anti-platelet therapy prescribed to patients who have suffered from a Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI). Brilinta works by preventing the formation of new blood clots and helping to keep existing clots from becoming larger. This is particularly important after a cardiac event like NSTEMI, where the risk of further clot formation is high. For a patient who has undergone a left heart catheterization, which is a procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions, Brilinta helps in reducing the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes.
Brilinta is often used in combination with aspirin in a dual anti-platelet therapy regime. This combination has been shown to be more effective than aspirin alone in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with STEMI, and the same approach is applied to NSTEMI patients to prevent future myocardial infarction (MI). Although extending the use of dual anti-platelet therapy beyond 12 months does not affect the risk of death, it remains crucial for the period immediately following stent placement to maintain vessel patency.