Antithrombotic therapy in cardiac stent patients.

The use of coronary stents has made a significant impact on immediate angiographic results of coronary angioplasty as well as on the more important incidence of restenosis and the need for repeat procedures. This could not have been accomplished without adjuvant antithrombotic therapy directed predominantly at platelet function. Antiplatelet agents have significantly reduced the complications and improved the long-term outcome following coronary stent placement. This paper reviews the evolution of adjuvant antithrombotic therapy following stent placement, the agents currently used and future directions being investigated.