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Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
Anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic approaches in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Rajeev Garg1, Barry F Uretsky, Eli I Lev
1Division of Cardiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Insights
Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) increase risks of clotting. Anti-platelet and anticoagulation therapies are crucial for preventing complications like myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis after PCI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have increased significantly for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
- PCI disrupts plaque and endothelium, activating platelets and coagulation, increasing ischemic complication risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the evolution of anti-platelet and anticoagulation regimens used in PCI.
- To summarize current understanding of coagulation and platelet activation in the context of PCI.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic agents.
- Analysis of drug mechanisms of action and supporting clinical evidence for PCI use.
- Inclusion of AHA/ACC guideline recommendations for peri-PCI management.
Main Results:
- Discussion of the pivotal role of anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic agents in minimizing PCI-related ischemic events.
- Detailed examination of individual drug classes, their mechanisms, and evidence base.
- Presentation of guideline-based recommendations for peri-procedural therapy.
Conclusions:
- Anti-platelet and anticoagulation therapies are essential adjuncts to PCI.
- Understanding drug mechanisms and evidence is key to optimizing peri-PCI management.
- Adherence to guideline recommendations ensures effective prevention of ischemic complications.
Abstract:
Over the past three decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) for the treatment of patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. However, PCI causes disruption of atherosclerotic plaque and denudation of the endothelium, leading to stimulation of platelet aggregation and activation of the coagulation cascade. Therefore, anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic agents have a pivotal role as adjuncts before, during and after PCI, in order to minimize the risk of procedural ischemic complications, such as myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and various degrees of myonecrosis. The current article presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of current anti-platelet and anticoagulation regimens used in the setting of PCI. It starts with a summary of the current perspective of the coagulation process along with platelet activation and aggregation. The review then focuses specifically on individual anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic drugs including their mechanism of action and the scientific evidence which led to their use in PCI. Finally, we present summary recommendations from the AHA/ACC guidelines for individual anticoagulant and anti-platelet regimens given peri-PCI.
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