Platelet activation in acute myocardial infarction and the rationale for combination therapy.
Current fibrinolytic regimens fail to fully restore coronary blood flow in slightly less than 50% of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Platelet activation and aggregation may be responsible for a large proportion of these therapeutic failures. Therefore, platelet inhibition may enhance thrombolysis. Experimental and early clinical evidence suggest that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists may enhance reperfusion when combined with reduced doses of thrombolytic agents. However, the clinical benefit of combination therapy will depend on the outcomes of a number large clinical trials that are currently being performed.
Conde-Pozzi
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I
Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin, MS F-1090, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Kleiman
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N
D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D013577:Syndrome; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy