Interruption of thrombosis and hemostasis by anti-platelet agents

Blood platelets play a fundamental role in hemostasis and thrombosis. The physiological role of platelets is to preserve the integrity of the cardiovascular system such that upon injury platelets are activated and serve to interrupt a potentially deleterious situation (i.e., hemorrhage). However, platelets are also involved in the pathophysiology of thrombosis in which the normal repair process is grossly exacerbated, resulting in interruption of blood flow to vital tissues. Thus, a critical balance exists between the normal function of blood platelets to preserve tissue function and a pathophysiological function in which tissue is damaged due to thrombosis and subsequent ischemia. Numerous anti-platelet agents have been developed in an attempt to interrupt the thrombotic process without severely compromising the hemostatic state of patients. This article will be devoted to a discussion of a commonly utilized anti-thrombotic agent, aspirin, as well as a class of newer, possibly more effective anti-thrombotic agents referred to collectively as fibrinogen receptor antagonists.