Antiplatelet Therapy

Platelets are a crucial component in the maintenance of normal haemostasis. In response to vascular damage, activated platelets adhere to the damaged endothelium leading to both aggregation and coagulation. Under healthy conditions, these processes prevent excessive vascular haemorrhage and promote vascular repair and regeneration. However, in cardiovascular diseases, hyperactive platelet activation leads to acute coronary syndrome characterised by occlusive thrombus formation, myocardial infarction and stroke. Targeted platelet therapy has been used extensively in the inhibition of inappropriate platelet activation for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases including cyclooxygenase inhibitors, purinergic antagonists, thrombin inhibitors, PAR receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. In this review, we discuss the current clinical portfolio of antiplatelet therapies whilst also discussing promising new antiplatelet targets for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.