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The potential role of antiplatelet agents in modulating inflammatory markers in atherothrombosis
Author(s) -
YEH E. T. H.,
KHAN B. V.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of thrombosis and haemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 178
eISSN - 1538-7836
pISSN - 1538-7933
DOI - 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2006.02202.x
Subject(s) - medicine , thrombus , myocardial infarction , aspirin , unstable angina , cardiology , thrombosis , platelet activation , disease , acute coronary syndrome , stroke (engine) , inflammation , lesion , platelet , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Summary. Atherothrombosis is the process that links atherosclerotic lesion development with unpredictable and life‐threatening ischemic vascular events such as angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, and stroke. Atherothrombosis is triggered when an unstable atherosclerotic lesion is ruptured, leading to platelet activation and thrombus formation. Inflammatory mediators are responsible for lesion instability leading to rupture, and in recent years atherothrombosis and its underlying condition of atherosclerosis have come to be recognized as manifestations of inflammatory disease. Inflammatory mediators may therefore serve as early markers of atherothrombosis. Measurement of early markers may be used to predict future ischemic events and improve risk stratification in patients following diagnosis of atherothrombotic disease. In addition, detection of such markers may help to optimize the use of current therapies to manage atherothrombosis. Molecules that may serve as early markers of atherothrombotic disease include C‐reactive protein, CD40 ligand, myeloperoxidase, pregnancy‐associated plasma protein and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1. Early indications are that levels of these markers are influenced by therapies currently in use in the treatment of atherothrombotic conditions, including antiplatelet agents. Ongoing studies will provide further insight into routine assessment of inflammatory markers as a guide to the management of patients with atherothrombosis.