干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Antithrombotic therapy is the cornerstone of management of patients with acute coronary syndromes. Its role has become increasingly important with the widespread use of percutaneous revascularization, particularly after stent implantation. In this context, use of dual antiplatelet therapy is mandatory, combining aspirin with thienopyridines, mostly clopidogrel.

As well as antiplatelets, anticoagulants are also required in patients with acute myocardial infarction up to the time of percutaneous intervention and stent implantation. Following the tremendous success of clopidogrel and enoxaparin over the last decade, new antithrombotic agents have been introduced, of which fondaparinux and prasugrel are examples, with both advantages and disadvantages compared to older drugs. The last European Congress in Barcelona in 2009 was particularly rich in this area as the results of three major clinical trials were presented, all with significant implications for clinical practice: the PLATO study testing the first reversible antiplatelet drug acting via the P2Y12 platelet receptor; the CURRENT-OASIS 7 study testing higher doses of aspirin and clopidogrel; and the SEPIA-ACS1 TIMI 42 trial launching the new parenteral anticoagulant otamixaban, a factor Xa inhibitor. These three trials are briefly reviewed in the current paper, highlighting the characteristics that may lead to new recommendations and the implications for daily clinical practice.