Clinical use of antiplatelet therapy

The authors report the principal clinical models in which inhibitors of platelet aggregation were used to prevent the clinical complications of atherosclerosis. The models at risk which were considered include unstable angina, TIAs, myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic vascular disease of the lower limbs. Overall, the studies suggest the value of this therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular accidents. TIAs, unstable angina and myocardial infarction are the models which provide the best evidence for this; however, the effectiveness of this therapy in peripheral vascular disease, while showing positive results, needs to confirmed by further clinical studies. Lastly, therapy with inhibitors of platelet aggregation has been shown to be useful in the prevention of aortocoronary bypass occlusion; however, its efficacy has been shown only when therapy is initiated early.