Prasugrel in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome

Dual antiplatelet therapy is the mainstay therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The combination of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor in patients who receive a coronary stent reduces the rate of stent thrombosis and the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events. The newer P2Y12 inhibitors (prasugrel and ticagrelor) have better efficacy than clopidogrel. Prasugrel provides greater inhibition of platelet aggregation and has a rapid onset of action. Current acute coronary syndrome guidelines recommend the use of both newer P2Y12 inhibitors. However, emerging data have shown that prasugrel is more efficient than ticagrelor in reducing the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death, without increased risk of major bleeding.