Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

Antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes

Krishna G Aragam1, Deepak L Bhatt

  • 1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|October 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This review covers antiplatelet therapies for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It discusses aspirin, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-receptor blockers, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and adherence issues.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Antiplatelet therapy is crucial for managing acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
  • It is also vital for preventing thrombotic complications during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review commonly used antiplatelet agents in ACS therapy.
  • To discuss recent data on novel antiplatelet and antithrombin agents.
  • To address challenges related to adherence to antiplatelet regimens.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of antiplatelet agents.
  • Analysis of recent clinical data on novel therapies.
  • Discussion of adherence factors.

Main Results:

  • Aspirin, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-receptor blockers, and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are key agents.
  • Emerging data on novel ADP-receptor blockers and thrombin inhibitors are presented.
  • Adherence to antiplatelet therapy is a significant clinical consideration.

Conclusions:

  • Effective antiplatelet strategies are essential for ACS and PCI management.
  • Understanding current and novel agents is critical for optimal patient care.
  • Addressing adherence is necessary to maximize therapeutic benefits.

Related Concept Videos

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:27

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) encompasses a spectrum of heart conditions caused by sudden obstruction of coronary arteries, typically resulting from the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent thrombus (blood clot) formation. This obstruction can lead to partial or complete blockage of blood flow, causing varying degrees of myocardial ischemia or infarction.ACS includes the following clinical entities:Unstable Angina (UA)Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)ST-Elevation...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...