Abstract
Platelets play a key role in pathogenesis of atherothormbotic events. Therefore, antiplatelets agents are an essential part of the treatment of coronary artery disease.
Therefore an important part of the treatment of acute coronary artery disease consists of antiplatelet treatment. Three classes of drugs have proven efficacy: aspirin, thienopyridines (e.g. clopidogrel, ticlopidine) and glycoprotein Ilb/IIIa receptor antagonists (e.g. abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban).
This article summarizes findings of randomized studies which tested antiplatelets agents in the treatment of stable coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes and in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.