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Published on: September 5, 2016
Antiplatelet and antithrombin strategies in acute coronary syndrome: state-of-the-art review
Refai Showkathali1, Arun Natarajan
1The Department of Cardiology, The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Nethermayne, Basildon, Essex, United Kingdom SS16, NL. refais@gmail.com
Insights
New antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents have advanced acute coronary syndrome (ACS) care, improving efficacy while reducing bleeding risks. This review details newer therapies like P2Y12 inhibitors and Factor Xa inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents are crucial in managing acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
- Therapeutic options have expanded significantly over the last two decades.
- Early guidelines recommended limited agents, unlike current comprehensive approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanism, efficacy, and safety of novel antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents for ACS.
- To examine clinical trial evidence for these advanced therapies.
- To highlight progress in balancing treatment efficacy with reduced bleeding complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of P2Y12 receptor antagonists, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, PAR-1 inhibitors, bivalirudin, fondaparinaux, and rivaroxaban.
- Analysis of clinical trial data on efficacy and safety profiles.
- Synthesis of current evidence on pharmacological management of ACS.
Main Results:
- Numerous newer agents offer improved efficacy and safety compared to older therapies.
- Research focuses on optimizing treatment to enhance effectiveness and minimize bleeding.
- Specific drug classes reviewed include P2Y12 inhibitors, GPIs, PAR-1 inhibitors, and anticoagulants.
Conclusions:
- Contemporary ACS management relies on a broad spectrum of advanced antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents.
- Ongoing research aims to further refine therapeutic strategies for ACS patients.
- The evolution of these agents reflects significant pharmacological and clinical advancements.
Abstract:
Antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents significantly alter the clinical course of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and hence form the bedrock of the management pathway of this closely related continuum of coronary pathologies. The contemporary therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of ACS now reflects the many technical and pharmacological advances that took place over the last two decades. In the original 1996 American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction, only one antiplatelet agent (Aspirin) and one anticoagulant (unfractionated heparin) were recommended as class I therapies. Since then many newer agents have been developed and approved for routine clinical use in ACS patients. Recent research has focussed on improving efficacy on one hand and reducing bleeding complications on the other. This review focuses on the mechanism, efficacy, safety profile and clinical trial evidence of P2 Y12 receptor antagonist antiplatelet agents, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (GPI), protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) inhibitors, thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin and Factor Xa inhibitors fondaparinaux and rivaroxaban.
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