Antithrombotics in interventional cardiology: optimizing treatment and strategies

Although the use of coronary stents has virtually abolished the threat of periprocedural obstructive dissection, subacute and acute intracoronary thrombosis and late restenosis remain a major problem with catheter-guided transluminal coronary interventions, despite significant technical advances over the last 10 years. Acute stent thrombosis emerged as a new problem with the introduction of metallic coronary prostheses (stents), which unfortunately represent an ideal stimulus for platelet deposition. Recently, dramatic progress has been achieved by focusing on the inhibition of thrombin and platelets, before and during interventional procedures. This has stimulated the search for powerful and well-tolerated antithrombotic agents—platelet inhibitors and antithrombins—so that long-term (oral) administration may become possible, if necessary. The current roles of unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), direct thrombin inhibitors (such as hirulog and hirudin), antiplatelet agents (such as aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticlopidine) and the potential of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers are reviewed and put into perspective with respect to their acute and long-term clinical value.