Purpose of review: Antiplatelet therapies are pivotal treatments in the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with or without revascularization. In recent years, the use of P2Y12 antagonists prior to catheterization, so-called pretreatment, has been questioned, particularly in patients who may be at higher bleeding risks. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the current literature on contemporary and novel antiplatelet therapy in the pretreatment and treatment of ACS.
Recent findings: The P2Y12 receptor antagonists are associated with substantial reductions in morbidity and mortality for all types of ACS but only clopidogrel and ticagrelor have sufficient evidence for use in the pretreatment setting. The data regarding prasugrel support the use in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention (PCI). The glycoprotein IIa/IIIb antagonists are the most optimal for use in high-risk ACS as an adjuvant therapy during and after PCI. In summary, although all P2Y12 antagonists have morbidity- and mortality-reducing effects in ACS, only clopidogrel and ticagrelor have sufficient evidence in the pretreatment setting. Newer antiplatelet therapies, most notably the protease-activated receptor 1 antagonists, are evolving and promising but are associated with greater bleeding risks.
Keywords: ACS; Antiplatelet; Coronary; P2Y12; Pretreatment; Ticagrelor.