Antiplatelet and anticoagulant use after myocardial infarction.
Coronary thrombosis leading to myocardial infarction is a complex process involving the interaction of the arterial wall, the coagulation cascade, and platelets. Increased understanding of the molecular biology of thrombosis has prompted an evolution in antithrombotic therapy, from the early use of warfarin following myocardial infarction to agents targeting specific receptors or modulators in the thrombotic process. The complexity of thrombosis allows for numerous sites of pharmacologic intervention; the multiple pathways leading to platelet aggregation and thrombin formation provide the opportunity for combined therapies. This review presents the current clinical data on antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and specific antithrombin therapies following myocardial infarction.
Almony
G T
GT
Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Lefkovits
J
J
Topol
E J
EJ
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors