The thienopyridine class of antiplatelet drugs

Thrombus formation as a result of accumulation of platelets at the site of atherosclerotic plaque rupture is the primary pathology underlying both acute cerebrovascular events and acute coronary syndromes. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of mortality in Australia. Furthermore, the significant morbidity and effect on a patient’s quality of life imposed by CVD imparts considerable psychosocial and global economic pressures. As a consequence, platelets have become a major therapeutic target in the management of patients with CVD.