Advances in the pharmacology of acute coronary syndrome. Platelet inhibition.

摘要

The development of potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation has led to significant decreases in morbidity and mortality rates among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Clinical trials have demonstrated that agents that block glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor-mediated platelet aggregation have an outcome benefit when used acutely in patients with chest pain and ST depression or elevated cardiac enzymes, leading to the integration of these agents into emergency medicine clinical practice. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome and the pharmacology of platelet inhibition and reviews the evidence from the clinical trials pertaining to the use of these agents in the emergency department.