Aspirin and Other COX-1 inhibitors.
Currently available antiplatelet drugs interfere with the process of platelet activation and aggregation by selectively blocking key enzymes involved in the synthesis of platelet agonists, or membrane receptors mediating activation signals. Pharmacological interference with critical molecular pathways of platelet activation and aggregation may reduce the risk of atherothrombotic complications through mechanisms that are also responsible for an increased risk of bleeding. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) represents a prototypic antiplatelet agent. The aim of this chapter is to integrate our current understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of aspirin with the results of clinical trials and epidemiological studies assessing its efficacy and safety. Moreover, the antiplatelet properties of reversible inhibitors of the same drug target will also be reviewed.
Department of Pharmacology, Catholic University School of Medicine, Largo F. Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy. carlo.patrono@rm.unicatt.it
Carlo
C
Patrono
Bianca
B
Rocca
D000818:Animals; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D001241:Aspirin