title: Mechanisms of action and targets for actual and future antiplatelet drugs.
abstract: Platelets are key players in arterial thrombosis and have become important targets in the primary and secondary prevention of atherothrombosis. Antiplatelet drugs are primarily directed against platelets and inhibit platelet activation by a number of different mechanisms. They are used for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic processes, especially in the arterial vascular system. Antiplatelet drugs in clinical use and experimental drugs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Kathleen.freson@med.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Freson
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thys
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittevrongel
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Geet
mesh_terms: D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D040201:Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb / Q000187:drug effects*; D058914:Purinergic Antagonists; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D040201:Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb; D058914:Purinergic Antagonists; D011725:Pyridines; C446540:thienopyridine; D001241:Aspirin