Antiplatelet Agents
摘要
Platelets play an integral role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Activation of platelets by endothelial injury leads to the release of granules that contain molecules like adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thromboxane A2. These are integral for sustained platelet recruitment, activation, and aggregation. In addition to the formation of platelet plugs for initial hemostasis, platelets provide a surface for binding coagulation factors and ultimately contribute to the formation of fibrin clots. The role of platelets in thrombosis has been more appreciated in arterial circulation, where higher shearing forces contribute to platelet activation. Accordingly, antiplatelet agents have long been used to suppress platelet’s role as a nidus for pathological clot formation in arterial atherothrombotic disease. Over the past decades, several antiplatelet agents have been adopted into the clinical practice due to their established efficacy while research continues to pursuit new agents with escalating potencies and better safety profiles.