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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Ferric Chloride-induced Murine Thrombosis Models
Published on: September 5, 2016
Therapeutic goals for effective platelet inhibition: a consensus document
Stephen D Wiviott1, Alan D Michelson, Peter B Berger
1Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Clopidogrel and aspirin are standard antiplatelet treatments, but new P2Y12 antagonists show promise. These novel agents may overcome clopidogrel
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Thrombosis
Background:
- Clopidogrel combined with aspirin is a primary antiplatelet therapy for acute coronary syndromes and after stent placement.
- Limitations of clopidogrel include slow onset of action, variable patient response, bleeding risk, and prolonged recovery of platelet function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel P2Y12 receptor antagonists.
- To explore agents that may overcome limitations of current clopidogrel therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of investigational P2Y12 receptor antagonists.
- Focus on pharmacological properties and clinical development stages.
Main Results:
- Several novel P2Y12 antagonists are in advanced clinical development.
- These agents possess pharmacological properties potentially addressing clopidogrel's limitations.
Conclusions:
- Investigational P2Y12 antagonists like prasugrel, AZD6140, and cangrelor show potential for improved antiplatelet therapy in coronary artery disease.
- These novel agents may offer advantages over clopidogrel, addressing its therapeutic shortcomings.
Abstract:
Clopidogrel combined with aspirin is the mainstay of antiplatelet therapy for patients who present with acute coronary syndromes as well as following either bare metal or drug-eluting stent placement. Limitations of clopidogrel therapy include the relatively long time course required to achieve maximal inhibition of platelet aggregation, individual variability in response to its effect, the risk of bleeding during its administration, and the irreversible nature of P2Y12 receptor binding, which leads to a prolonged time course for recovery of platelet function following discontinuation of clopidogrel. Several investigational P2Y12 receptor antagonists have pharmacological properties that may overcome some or all of these limitations. These novel agents such as prasugrel, AZD6140, and cangrelor are in advanced stages of clinical development for potential use in patients with coronary artery disease.
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