Role of platelet inhibitor therapy in myocardial infarction
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque disruption is the predominant pathogenetic mechanism underlying the acute coronary syndromes. Plaque rupture leads to the exposure of collagen and vessel media, resulting in platelet and clotting activation, and occlusive thrombus formation. While drugs that interfere with platelet activation and function have been available for years, more powerful agents with novel mechanisms of action are being developed. Of the available platelet inhibitor drugs, only aspirin, sulfinpyrazone, and dipyridamole have undergone extensive clinical testing in patients with cardiovascular disease. More recently ticlopidine, a new and potent platelet inhibitor, has been successfully tested in patients with coronary and vascular disease. In acute myocardial infarction, aspirin significantly reduces cardiovascular mortality and reinfarction. Furthermore, the combination of aspirin and a thrombolytic agent produces maximal benefit. A role for heparin in the prevention of early mortality and reinfarction is emerging. This drug is effective for the prevention of left ventricular thrombosis in patients with anterior myocardial infarction. In the secondary prevention of reinfarction and cardiovascular mortality, available data suppo...Continue Reading
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