Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Therapy after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of antiplatelet or anti-coagulant therapy in preventing graft occlusions after coro-nary artery bypass surgery. Data Identification: Studies published from 1966 to 1988 were identified through a computerized search using MED-LINE, by searching the bibliographies of all identified arti-cles, and by consulting with the cardiologists and cardiotho-racic surgeons in the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study Group on Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Ar-tery Bypass Surgery. Study Selection: All studies selected were randomized, controlled clinical trials comparing at least one active drug with a placebo or nonplacebo control group. Data Extraction: Key data were extracted from each arti-cle, including the percentage of patients in each treatmen