Novel antiplatelet therapies

Advances in antiplatelet therapy have significantly improved outcomes in patients with ischemic heart disease. Thienopyridines remain a cornerstone of therapy along with aspirin. Recently, concerns have been raised about the use of clopidogrel due to its pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic interpatient variability. A third-generation thienopyridine, prasugrel, overcomes some of these problems by improving inhibition of platelet aggregation, but increasing the risk of peri-procedural bleeding. Other novel antiplatelet agents, such as ticagrelor, have shown improved efficacy in recent trials and require further investigations. The field of pharmacotherapy continues to rapidly evolve as newer agents, such as thrombin receptor antagonists, along with older agents, such as cilostazol and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, are being explored.