title: The future of antiplatelet therapy in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Mechanisms of platelet inhibition are reviewed with emphasis on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic determinants of clinical efficacy and safety of antiplatelet drugs. Current developments in antiplatelet therapy are discussed in relation to both primary and secondary prevention of atherothrombotic complications. Interindividual variability in response to antiplatelet agents and new drug targets are outlined within the context of optimizing the balance between the cardiovascular benefits and bleeding risks of antiplatelet therapy. Recent advances in the pharmacogenetics of thienopyridines open the realistic prospect of a personalized choice of the most appropriate antiplatelet agent and tailored dose adjustment for an individual patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. carlo.patrono@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patrono
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rocca
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors