Burak Pamukcu, Kurt Huber and Gregory Y.H. Lip Pages 850 - 860 ( 11 )
Aspirin has long been the mainstay of primary and secondary prevention against myocardial infarction and ischemic cerebrovascular events. However, the incremental value of aspirin for primary prevention has recently been subject to debate given data from recent large clinical trials, as the net clinical benefit is small. In secondary prevention, aspirin is still strongly recommended.
Efforts in obtaining more efficient antiplatelet agents and to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have led to the development of new adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonists, which are superior to clopidogrel. New generation antiplatelet drugs i.e. prasugrel and ticagrelor aim to reduce atherothrombotic events, mortality and stent thrombosis, as well as overcome low- or non-response to clopidogrel. Further agents with antiplatelet properties are being investigated at present.
This overview aims to give insights into the rapidly changing field of antiplatelet strategies in cardiovascular diseases.
Atherothrombosis,cardiovascular disease,primary prevention,secondary prevention,novel antithrombotics,acetyl salicylic acid,adenosine diphosphate (ADP),infarction,ischemic cerebrovascular,clopidogrel
, , Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, B18 7QH, Birmingham, England, UK.