Open AccessAntiplatelet and anticoagulant use after myocardial infarction
Author(s) -
Almony Gregory T.,
Lefkovits Jeffrey,
Topol Eric J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960190506
Subject(s) - medicine , antithrombotic , myocardial infarction , thrombosis , anticoagulant , cardiology , warfarin , antithrombin , platelet , coagulation cascade , percutaneous coronary intervention , coagulation , infarction , thrombin , heparin , atrial fibrillation
Coronary thrombosis leading to myocardial infarction is a complex process involving the interaction of the arterial wall, the coagulation cascade, and platelets. Increased understanding of the molecular biology of thrombosis has prompted an evolution in antithrombotic therapy, from the early use of warfarin following myocardial infarction to agents targeting specific receptors or modulators in the thrombotic process. The complexity of thrombosis allows for numerous sites of pharmacologic intervention the multiple pathways leading to platelet aggregation and thrombin formation provide the opportunity for combined therapies. This review presents the current clinical data on antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and specific antithrombin therapies following myocardial infarction.