Semin Vasc Med 2003; 03(4): 403-414
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-817689
THERAPEUTICS

Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Antiplatelet Agents in Acute Coronary Syndromes

John W. Eikelboom1 , Sonia Anand2
  • 1Department of Haematology, Royal Perth Hospital and Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
  • 2Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 February 2004 (online)

ABSTRACT

Plaque disruption, platelet activation, and intracoronary artery thrombus formation are the key events in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. Antiplatelet therapies significantly reduce the risk of ischemic complications both during the acute phase and in the long term in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Aspirin remains the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy, but there is incremental benefit when clopidogrel or ticlopidine is added to aspirin. Dual antiplatelet therapy with the combination of clopidogrel and aspirin is becoming the new standard of care for the management of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and is currently being further evaluated in ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

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