Platelet aggregation inhibitors
A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition. Each drug can be classified into one or more drug classes.
Platelet aggregation inhibitors work in different places of the clotting cascade and prevent platelet adhesion, therefore no clot formation.
Aspirin, the most commonly used antiplatelet drug changes the balance between prostacyclin (which inhibits platelet aggregation) and thromboxane (that promotes aggregation). It irreversibly inhibits the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase, which leads to reduction in thromboxane synthesis in platelets and prostacyclin in vascular endothelial cells. The vascular endothelium recovers and can synthesize more prostacyclin but thromboxane synthesis only recovers after new platelets are formed.
Platelet aggregation inhibitors are used acutely in myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, following coronary bypass, angioplasty and stenting. It is also used as prophylaxis to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke.
See also
Medical conditions associated with platelet aggregation inhibitors:
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Acute Coronary Syndrome, Prophylaxis
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Aseptic Necrosis
- Back Pain
- Cerebral Thrombosis/Embolism
- Fever
- Heart Attack
- High Cholesterol
- Intermittent Claudication
- Ischemic Stroke
- Ischemic Stroke, Prophylaxis
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Kawasaki Disease
- Myocardial Infarction, Prophylaxis
- Niacin Flush
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Platelet Aggregation Inhibition
- Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation
- Prosthetic Heart Valves
- Prosthetic Heart Valves, Mechanical Valves
- Radionuclide Myocardial Perfusion Study
- Revascularization Procedures, Prophylaxis
- Rheumatic Fever
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Thromboembolic Stroke Prophylaxis
- Transient Ischemic Attack
