Aspirin, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes: underused treatments could save thousands of lives.
Aspirin is the cornerstone of therapy for unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction and the foundation on which other therapies are added, both in the short term and the long term. Yet, despite clear data, aspirin is woefully underused or is often used late. Prompt administration of aspirin could save thousands of lives each year. Ticlopidine and clopidogrel have a synergistic effect when used with aspirin, and can also have a role in treating patients who are aspirin-resistant or have diffuse atherosclerosis.
Tan
W A
WA
Section of Interventional Radiology, Pittsburgh Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside, USA.
Moliterno
D J
DJ
D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000517:prevention & control; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin