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Role of New Antiplatelet Drugs on Cardiovascular Disease: Update on Cangrelor

  • Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (S. Prabhakaran, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Dual therapy with a P2Y12 receptor antagonist in addition to aspirin is the antiplatelet treatment of choice in patients with acute coronary syndromes or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, available oral P2Y12 antagonists have several limitations, mostly due to their pharmacological profile, which can affect outcomes in certain clinical settings. Cangrelor is an intravenous, direct-acting, potent P2Y12 inhibitor with rapid onset and offset of action, which has been recently approved for clinical use in patients undergoing PCI. In clinical trials, cangrelor has demonstrated greater efficacy than clopidogrel with a favorable safety profile among PCI patients not receiving pretreatment with oral P2Y12 antagonists. However, its definitive role in contemporary practice is yet to be determined. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of knowledge on cangrelor, focusing on its pharmacological properties, clinical development, and the potential applications of this newly available agent.

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  1. Heart Diseases Institute, Bellvitge University Hospital–IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, c/Feixa Llarga s/n, CP 08907, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    Ana Lucrecia Marcano & José Luis Ferreiro

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  1. Ana Lucrecia Marcano
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  2. José Luis Ferreiro
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Correspondence to José Luis Ferreiro.

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José Luis Ferreiro reports honoraria for lectures from Eli Lilly Co, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., AstraZeneca, Roche Diagnostics and Pfizer; consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly Co., and The Medicines Company; research grants from AstraZeneca. Ana Lucrecia Marcano declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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Marcano, A.L., Ferreiro, J.L. Role of New Antiplatelet Drugs on Cardiovascular Disease: Update on Cangrelor. Curr Atheroscler Rep 18, 66 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-016-0617-y

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