Rapid detection of platelet inhibition and dysfunction in traumatic brain injury: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid platelet function testing is frequently used to determine platelet function in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH). Accuracy and clinical significance of decreased platelet response detected by these tests is not well understood. We sought to determine whether VerifyNow and whole blood aggregometry (WBA) can detect poor platelet response and to elucidate its clinical significance for tICH patients. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with isolated tICH between 2018 and 2020. Demographics, medical history, injury characteristics, and patient outcomes were recorded. Platelet function was determined by VerifyNow and WBA testing at the time of arrival to the trauma bay and 6 hours later. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients were enrolled, including 111 patients on no antiplatelet medication, 78 on aspirin, 6 on clopidogrel, and 26 on aspirin and clopidogrel. In the trauma bay, 29.7% and 67.7% of patients on no antiplatelet medication had poor platelet response on VerifyNow and WBA, respectively. Among patients on aspirin, 72.2% and 82.2% had platelet dysfunction on VerifyNow and WBA. Among patients on clopidogrel, 67.9% and 88.9% had platelet dysfunction on VerifyNow and WBA. Patients with nonresponsive platelets had similar in-hospital mortality (3 [3.0%] vs. 6 [6.3%], p = 0.324), tICH progression (26 [27.1%] vs. 24 [26.1%], p = 0.877), intensive care unit admission rates (34 [34.3%] vs. 38 [40.0%), p = 0.415), and length of stay (3 [interquartile range, 2-8] vs. 3.2 [interquartile range, 2-7], p = 0.818) to those with responsive platelets. Platelet transfusion did not improve platelet response or patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Rapid platelet function testing detects a highly prevalent poor platelet response among patients with tICH, irrespective of antiplatelet medication use. VerifyNow correlated fairly with whole blood aggregometry among patients with tICH and platelet responsiveness detectable by these tests did not correlate with clinical outcomes. In addition, our results suggest that platelet transfusion may not improve clinical outcomes in patients with tICH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic tests, level II.

Total Thrombus-Formation Analysis System can Predict 1-Year Bleeding Events in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

AIMS: The assessment of bleeding risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is clinically important. We recently developed the Total Thrombus-Formation Analysis System (T-TAS) for the quantitative analysis of thrombus formation using microchips with thrombogenic surfaces. Here, we assessed the utility of T-TAS parameters in predicting 1-year bleeding events in patients with CAD. METHODS: The study subjects were 561 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) between August 2013 and September 2016 for suspected CAD. Blood samples collected at the time of CAG were used for T-TAS to compute the area under the curve (AUC) (AR10-AUC30) in the AR chip. Patients were divided into three groups according to AR10-AUC30 (low: ≤ 1603, intermediate, and high: ＞1765, n=187 each). One-year bleeding events were defined by the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes criteria. RESULTS: Bleeding occurred in 21 (3.7%) patients and was classified as major (8 [1.4%]) and minor (13 [2.3%]). The AR10-AUC30 levels were significantly lower in the bleeding group than the non-bleeding group (median [interquartile range] 1590 [1442-1734] vs. 1687 [1546-1797], p=0.04). Univariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that low AR10-AUC30 , high prothrombin time-international normalized ratio levels, and diabetes correlated with bleeding events. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified low AR10-AUC30 levels as a significant determinant of bleeding events. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a higher rate of bleeding events in the low than the high AR10-AUC30 group (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the potential usefulness of the AR10-AUC30 levels in the prediction of 1-year bleeding events in patients with CAD treated with various antithrombotic therapies.

Relationship Between Platelet Reactivity and Periprocedural Myonecrosis in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The impact of platelet reactivity on periprocedural myonecrosis (PMN) in East Asian patients with stable ischemic heart disease or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear. METHODS: We enrolled 256 patients with normal high-sensitivity troponin I levels who underwent PCI for stable ischemic heart disease or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. Residual platelet reactivity was assessed by VerifyNow point-of-care P2Y12 assay before PCI and at 18-24 hours following PCI. High platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined using three cut-off scores for platelet reactivity units (PRUs). PMN was defined as a high-sensitivity troponin I elevation of >5x the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) in patients with normal baseline values (<99th percentile URL). RESULTS: The rate of PMN was 55.9% (n = 143) and was significantly higher for pre-PCI and post-PCI PRU values in the fourth quartile compared with those in the first quartile (15% vs 37% [P<.001] and 20% vs 36% [P<.001], respectively). The rate of PMN was higher in patients with HPR, regardless of the criteria used (PRU >208, PRU >235, and PRU >272) and time point. Multivariable analysis revealed that pre-PCI HPR (PRU >208) was an independent predictor of increased risk of PMN (odds ratio, 3.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.87-6.17; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Pre-PCI HPR (PRU >208) was associated with an increased risk of PMN in East Asian patients with stable ischemic heart disease or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI. Achievement of optimal platelet reactivity may decrease the risk of PMN.

Antiplatelet Therapy and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Analysis of Current Evidence With a Focus on Acute Coronary Syndrome.

This review was undertaken to summarize and discuss the current evidence around antiplatelet therapy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Aspirin (ASA) monotherapy remains the standard of care among patients before and after CABG. The role of more intense antiplatelet therapy-specifically, P2Y12 inhibitors-in improving clinical outcomes and graft patency is becoming increasingly apparent. As such, we provide an overview of a variety of antiplatelet regimens. The review discusses the evidence around preoperative management of antiplatelet therapies, with a particular focus on timing of cessation. It also evaluates the current literature to elucidate the best antiplatelet therapy regimen after CABG, focusing on acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Whenever possible, data are presented from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses. Although guidelines recommend use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after CABG for patients with ACS, available evidence is limited to small RCTs, and meta-analyses are of substudies of larger RCTs. There is also considerable heterogeneity in patient population of these studies; a significant number of patients underwent off-pump CABG (OPCAB) in trials that demonstrate graft-patency benefit with DAPT. With this limited evidence, DAPT remains underused in the CABG population, even among patients presenting after ACS.

Antiplatelet agents for preventing vaso-occlusive events in people with sickle cell disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy, occurring worldwide, and vaso-occlusive events (VOEs) are its paramount, hallmark clinical manifestation. Evidence exists that platelets play an important role in generating VOEs. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical benefits and harms of antiplatelet agents for preventing VOEs in patients with SCD. METHODS: We conducted searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; up to 2018, issue 3 of 12), PubMed/MEDLINE (up to April 20, 2018), and the Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE; from 1980 to week 16 of 2018). We also searched the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) database, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) website, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP), and www.ClinicalTrials.gov. We checked the bibliographies of included studies and any relevant systematic reviews. Our systematic review included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) conducted in people who had SCD without VOEs at trial entry. Eligible trials compared a single or combination treatment regimen (with each treatment classified as a conventional or nonconventional antiplatelet agent) with conventional care, placebo, or another regimen. No restrictions were placed on the route of administration, dose, frequency, or duration of treatment. We selected RCTs, assessed the risk for bias, and extracted data in a duplicate and independent fashion. We estimated risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences for continuous outcomes. We also subjected our analyses to a random-effects model, and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) was used. We used the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the overall quality of data for each individual outcome. RESULTS: We identified 5 RCTs (N=747) that met our criteria. Of these, 4 trials were multicenter and multinational. The trials included patients of all ages and assessed prasugrel, ticagrelor, crizanlizumab, and aspirin vs either placebo or no intervention. The most frequent route of administration was oral. The trials were small and carried a high risk for bias, given that pharmaceutical companies sponsored 4 of them. None of the trials reported information on quality of life. No meta-analysis was performed owing to heterogeneity in the ages of the participants and in the interventions. No single trial showed evidence of certainty regarding all-cause mortality. One trial showed uncertainty in comparing prasugrel vs placebo for preventing VOEs in patients younger than 18 years (relative risk [RR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.06; low quality of evidence). TSA for this outcome suggested that a new trial should be conducted. One trial found a difference in the size effect of uncomplicated VOEs, favoring high-dose crizanlizumab vs placebo (mean difference, -1.50; 95% CI, -2.61 to -0.39; very low quality of evidence). No difference in VOEs was found in studies that compared either ticagrelor in children or prasugrel in adults vs placebo. The overall incidence of harms in any intervention did not differ from that in the control. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence does not support or reject the use of any antiplatelet agent for preventing VOEs in people with SCD. This conclusion was based on small RCTs that carried a high risk for bias. No conclusive evidence exists regarding relevant clinical outcomes because the evidence is limited and of very low quality.

Novel Antiplatelet Therapies for Atherothrombotic Diseases.

Antiplatelet therapies are an essential tool to reduce the risk of developing clinically apparent atherothrombotic disease and are a mainstay in the therapy of patients who have established cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral artery disease. Strategies to intensify antiplatelet regimens are limited by concomitant increases in clinically significant bleeding. The development of novel antiplatelet therapies targeting additional receptor and signaling pathways, with a focus on maintaining antiplatelet efficacy while preserving hemostasis, holds tremendous potential to improve outcomes among patients with atherothrombotic diseases.

Complications Arising From Perioperative Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Therapy in Major Colorectal and Abdominal Wall Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hemorrhage and thromboembolism are recognized complications following colorectal and abdominal wall surgery, but accurate documentation of their incidence, trends, and outcomes is scant. This is relevant given the increasing number of surgical patients with cardiovascular comorbidity on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize trends in the use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy among patients undergoing major colorectal and abdominal wall surgery within the past decade, and to assess rates of, outcomes following, and risk factors for hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications. DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at a single quaternary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent major colorectal and abdominal wall surgery during three 12-month intervals (2005, 2010, and 2015) were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured was the rate of complications relating to postoperative hemorrhage or thromboembolism. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred twenty-six patients underwent major colorectal and abdominal wall surgery (mean age, 61.4 years (SD 16.3); 575 (51.1%) male). Overall, 229 (21.7%) patients were on anticoagulant/antiplatelet agents; there was an increase in the proportion of patients on clopidogrel, dual antiplatelet therapy, and novel oral anticoagulants over the decade. One hundred seven (9.5%) cases were complicated by hemorrhage/thromboembolism. Aspirin (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.38-3.57), warfarin/enoxaparin (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.67-5.77), and dual antiplatelet therapy (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.37-6.53) were most implicated with complications on univariate analysis. Patients with atrial fibrillation (adjusted OR 2.67; 95% CI, 1.47-4.85), ischemic heart disease (adjusted OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.04-4.40), and mechanical valves (adjusted OR, 7.40; 95% CI 1.11-49.29) were at increased risk of complications on multivariate analysis. The severity of these events was mainly limited to Clavien-Dindo 1 (n = 37) and 2 (n = 46) complications. LIMITATIONS: This is a retrospective study with incomplete documentation of blood loss and operative time in the early study period. CONCLUSIONS: One in ten patients incurs hemorrhagic/thromboembolic complications following colorectal and abdominal wall surgery. "High-risk" patients are identifiable, and individualized management of these patients concerning multidisciplinary discussion and critical-care monitoring may help improve outcomes. Prospective studies are required to formalize protocols in these "high-risk" patients. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A747.

Optical Coherence Tomography for Guiding Plaque Stabilization in a Patient With Myocardial Infarction and Massive Coronary Thrombosis.

An OCT-guided watchful-waiting strategy is used to avoid the invasive treatment of the LMCA in a very young patient with massive coronary thrombosis.

Efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: We compared efficacy and safety of short- (3 or 6 months) versus long-term (≥12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, according to the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Patient-level pooled analysis was performed with 7242 patients (87.2% with 2nd generation DES) from 5 randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: In both CKD (1273 patients) and non-CKD (5969 patients) population, the rates of patient-oriented composite outcomes at 1-year (POCO, all-cause death, any myocardial infarction [MI], stroke and TIMI major bleeding) were not different between the short- and long-term DAPT (hazard ratio [HR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-1.86, P=.449 in CKD population; HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.83-1.56, P=.434 in non-CKD population). The rates of coronary thrombotic events (any MI and definite/probable stent thrombosis) also did not differ between short- and long-term DAPT in either CKD or non-CKD population. As for bleeding events, long-term DAPT increased the TIMI major bleeding (HR 2.91, 95% CI 1.31-6.48, P=.009) in non-CKD population. The similar trend was observed with long-term DAPT in CKD population. But it did not reach statistical significance (HR 3.15, 95% CI 0.64-15.63, P=.160). CONCLUSIONS: The rates of POCO and coronary thrombotic events were significantly higher in patients with CKD compared with those without CKD, which were not affected by short- or long-term DAPT. Higher bleeding incidence by long-term DAPT was only observed in non-CKD patients but not in CKD patients. Further large scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Antiplatelet Agents for the Treatment and Prevention of Coronary Atherothrombosis.

Antiplatelet drugs provide first-line antithrombotic therapy for the management of acute ischemic syndromes (both coronary and cerebrovascular) and for the prevention of their recurrence. Their role in the primary prevention of atherothrombosis remains controversial because of the uncertain balance of the potential benefits and risks when combined with other preventive strategies. The aim of this consensus document is to review the evidence for the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet drugs, and to provide practicing cardiologists with an updated instrument to guide their choice of the most appropriate antiplatelet strategy for the individual patient presenting with different clinical manifestations of coronary atherothrombosis, in light of comorbidities and/or interventional procedures.

The role of antiplatelet therapy in patients with peripheral artery disease and lower extremity peripheral artery revascularization.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although antiplatelet agents are frequently prescribed to patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD), there is an overall lack of consensus among published evidence and guidelines with respect to this practice. RECENT FINDINGS: Antiplatelet agents are prescribed to patients with PAD to reduce both cardiovascular and limb-based events during the follow-up period. A large evidence base supports the use of antiplatelet monotherapy with aspirin or clopidogrel in patients with symptomatic PAD or a history of peripheral artery revascularization. However, antiplatelet monotherapy has not proven beneficial in patients with asymptomatic PAD. Dual antiplatelet therapy has not demonstrated a clear benefit in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with symptomatic PAD. Its role in reducing the risk of adverse limb events following endovascular or surgical revascularization also remains unclear. Recently, the use of vorapaxar in addition to aspirin and/or clopidogrel has been associated with a significant reduction in the need for repeat revascularization procedures and hospitalization for limb ischemia in patients with established PAD. SUMMARY: Eligible patients with symptomatic PAD or with a history of peripheral artery revascularization should be prescribed antiplatelet monotherapy for secondary prevention of both cardiovascular and limb events, using aspirin, clopidogrel, and/or vorapaxar. Given the significant overlap of PAD and coronary artery disease, the evidence presented in this article may have important implications for management of patients with coronary artery disease.

[Myocardial revascularization: the new European guidelines]. / Myokard-Revaskularisation - die neue europäische Leitlinie.

The updated 2014 ESC guidelines on myocardial revascularization did indeed impact on current practice. Some of the most important changes are summarized in this review. Importantly, the recommendation for dual antiplatelet therapy after stenting in stable patients was reduced to 6 months. Also, a more liberal use of PCI in left main stem disease was proposed by the ESC guideline committee.

[Antiplatelet therapy in atherosclerosis of various localizations: acute and stable States].

We present in this review current data on specificities of efficacy and safety of antiplatelet therapy in patients with atherosclerosis of various localizations. Reduced priority of aspirin monotherapy in several clinical situations is shown. Controversial issues of the use of dual antiplatelet therapy including its application in patients with acute coronary syndrome are discussed. Novel groups of antiplatelet agents as well as individual new drugs are also presented.

[Possibilities of primary prevention of stroke: elaboration of a population level strategy].

This review is devoted to principles of primary prevention of cerebral stroke. Prevalence of stroke and its contribution to development of complications and lethal outcomes is analyzed in detail. Main principles of prevention of stroke are delineated and contemporary international guidelines on correction risk factors (arterial hypertension, smoking, disorders of lipid metabolism, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation) are reviewed. Special attention is given to the significance of asymptomatic stenoses of carotid arteries as predictors of stroke and to modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of such stenoses. Expediency of the use of hormonal replacement therapy with the aim of stroke prevention in postmenopausal women is considered. It is noted that antiaggregant therapy and specifically acetyl salicylic acid should be administered only in the presence of high risk of cardiovascular complications. The authors believe that overall success of stroke prevention depends on realization of complex long term national programs.

[The effect of anticoagulation and anti-aggregation treatment on the extent, development and prognosis of acute craniocerebral injury]. / Vliv antikoagulacní a antiagregacní terapie na rozsah, vývoj a prognózu akutního kraniocerebrálního poranení

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: A retrospective analysis of the effect of anticoagulation and anti-aggregation treatments on the post-injury clinical status, frequency of necessary surgical interventions including re-operations, course of intracranial haemorrhage dynamics and treatment outcome in patients with acute traumatic intracranial haematoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group consisted of 328 patients with acute post-traumatic intracranial haemorrhage treated at the author's institution from 2008 to 2012. Fifteen patients with anticoagulation therapy (warfarin; 8 females, 7 males; median age, 72.0 years) and 46 patients with anti-aggregation treatment (21 females, 25 males; median age, 75.5 years ; 37 with acetylsalicylic acid, 5 with thienopyridines, 2 with new antithrombotics and 2 taking dual anti-aggregation therapy), all older than 55 years, were included in statistical analysis. The post-injury clinical condition (Glasgow Coma Scale), incidence of haemorrhagic contusions, intracranial haematoma progression, particularly when surgery was indicated, incidence of re-operations and treatment outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale - GOS) were the study parameters. The control group included 77 patients with post-traumatic intracranial haematoma with normal coagulation who were older than 55 years (27 females, 50 males; median age, 67 years). Patients younger than 55 years and those with normal coagulation were not included in the statistical analysis. The treatment of all patients with anti-aggregation or anticoagulation therapy was consulted with the haematology specialist. RESULTS: The median age and initial status evaluated by the Glasgow Coma Scale were similar in the groups of anti-aggregated and anticoagulated patients and the control group. The number of good treatment outcomes, as evaluated by the GOS, was significantly higher in the anti-aggregated patients than in those on warfarin. A comparison of anti-aggregated, anticoagulated and normal coagulation patients did not show any statistically significant differences in the incidence of patients operated on, in the incidence of haemorrhagic contusions requiring surgery as a marker of the severity of brain parenchyma injury, intracranial haemorrhage progression with time, particularly when requiring surgery, and the rate of re-operations. However, when comparing the group of anti-aggregated patients with the control group, the higher incidence of haemorrhagic contusions and the lower number of patients requiring surgery were found to be close to the level of statistical significance. DISCUSSION: The positive effect of anti-aggregation and anticoagulation treatment on the morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases should be regarded in relation to a higher risk of haemorrhagic complications. If a bleeding complication occurs, the possibility of neutralising this treatment should be considered, but this is particularly difficult in new agents. The relationship between anti-aggregation or anticoagulation treatment and the treatment results in the patients with head injury is particularly important from the neurosurgical point of view, because the relevant literature data are ambiguous. CONCLUSIONS: The results did not confirm any statistically significant adverse effects of anticoagulation or anti-aggregation treatment on the severity of post-injury status and risk of intracranial bleeding progression. The incidence of poor outcomes is higher in anticoagulated patients than in anti-aggregated patients. Although not reaching the level of statistical significance, the results also indicate higher risk of significant haemorrhagic brain contusions in anti-aggregated patients.

Discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy over 12 months after acute coronary syndromes increases risk for adverse events in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalization remains to be defined, both for patients treated medically and for those undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for studies including patients presenting with ACS, and treated either with DAPT longer than or shorter than 12 months. Multivariable-adjusted risk estimates for death and recurrent ACS with stopping DAPT after 12 months (odds ratios [OR] 95% confidence intervals [CI]) were pooled after logarithmic transformation according to random-effect models with inverse-variance weighting. RESULTS: Five studies with 49,586 patients were included. Median age was 66 (64-67) years, with 67% (65-75) males. Myocardial infarction (MI) represented the admission diagnosis for 88% (60-100) of the patients, and 66% (50-74) were treated with stenting. After a follow-up of 2.1 years (1.5-2.7), 40% (35-46) still on DAPT after 12 months and the rates of death or recurrent ACS were 16.6 (14.5-17.0). Risk of adverse events for patients stopping DAPT after 1 year was significantly increased (OR = 1.19 [1.07-1.32]) for those receiving stents, but not for patients managed medically (OR = 1.13 [0.95-1.35]). The increased risk did not vary according to age, gender, myocardial infarction as admission diagnosis, and kind of stent. CONCLUSIONS: Interruption of DAPT over 12 months after ACS increases the risk of adverse events for patients treated with PTCA, but not for those managed conservatively, independently from baseline features and admission diagnosis. This hypothesis-generating finding should be tested in randomized controlled trials.

Almanac 2013: Acute coronary syndromes.

Unstable coronary artery plaque is the most common underlying cause of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and can manifest as unstable angina, non-ST segment elevation infarction (NSTE-ACS), and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but can also manifest as sudden cardiac arrest due to ischaemia induced tachyarrhythmias. ACS mortality ha decreased significantly over the last few years, especially from the more extreme manifestations of ACS, STEMI, and cardiac arrest. This trend is likely to continue based on recent therapeutic progress which includes novel antiplatelet agents such as prasugrel, ticagrelor, and cangrelor.

[New antiplatelet drugs in coronary artery disease]. / Nuevos antiagregantes plaquetarios en cardiopatía isquémica.

The dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel has been the mainstay of both acute and chronic phase coronary artery disease, reducing importantly the risk of adverse events. Despite a correct compliance, a non-negligible rate of adverse events still happens. New compounds, with improved properties, are now clinically available (such as prasugrel or ticagrelor) or under advanced development. The aim of the present review is the description of these new compounds, particularly prasugrel and ticagrelor.

New anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents: a primer for the clinical gastroenterologist.

The discovery of the first oral anticoagulant, warfarin, was a milestone in anticoagulation. Warfarin's well-known limitations, however, have led to the recent development of more effective anticoagulants. The rapidly growing list of these drugs, however, presents a challenge to endoscopists who must treat patients on these sundry medications. This review is intended to summarize the pharmacological highlights of new anticoagulants, with particular attention to suggested "best-practice" recommendations for the withholding of these drugs before endoscopic procedures.