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Platelet activation in acute myocardial infarction and the rationale for combination therapy

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Abstract

Current fibrinolytic regimens fail to fully restore coronary blood flow in slightly less than 50% of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Platelet activation and aggregation may be responsible for a large proportion of these therapeutic failures. Therefore, platelet inhibition may enhance thrombolysis. Experimental and early clinical evidence suggest that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists may enhance reperfusion when combined with reduced doses of thrombolytic agents. However, the clinical benefit of combination therapy will depend on the outcomes of a number large clinical trials that are currently being performed.

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  1. Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin, MS F-1090, 77030, Houston, TX, USA

    Ian Conde-Pozzi & Neal S. Kleiman MD

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Conde-Pozzi, I., Kleiman, N.S. Platelet activation in acute myocardial infarction and the rationale for combination therapy. Curr Cardiol Rep 2, 378–385 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-000-0050-1

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