Abstract
Anti-platelet drugs are one of the fundamental therapies for improving cardiovascular outcomes among ACS patients. Medications are used adjunctively along with mechanical or chemical reperfusion. Patients who are not candidates for revascularization may only receive medical treatment for their ACS. Cardiovascular drugs are given with the expectation that they will produce a significant beneficial effect. For some drugs in certain groups of patients, the goal is to improve survival and reduce infarct size, while for other drugs the goal is the amelioration of ischemic symptoms. Drugs, like aspirin, are widely used across the spectrum of ACS, although other agents like fibrinolytics are only used in ST-elevation myocardial infarction. It is also important to understand that each drug comes with the potential for side effects. Accordingly, the risk-benefit profile for each cardiovascular drug should be known, and the side effects minimized where possible. For some patients, the risk of a drug will outweigh its expected benefit, and should therefore not be used. This chapter will review the important anti-platelet cardiovascular drugs across the spectrum of ACS and emphasize the benefits and side effects of each agent.
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Bavry, A.A., Bhatt, D.L. (2008). Anti-platelet therapies. In: Managing Acute Coronary Syndromes in Clinical Practice. Springer Healthcare, Tarporley. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-908517-14-2_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-908517-14-2_5
Publisher Name: Springer Healthcare, Tarporley
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