Clopidogrel use in coronary heart disease and percutaneous coronary intervention.

Antiplatelet therapy has proven efficacy in the management of atherothrombosis. Clopidogrel, a thienopyridine, is a potent antiplatelet agent that achieves its antiplatelet effects by inhibiting the binding of adenosine 5' diphosphate to its platelet receptor. Large clinical trials have demonstrated a role for clopidogrel in the management of symptomatic atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndromes, and patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. In this review, we discuss the pharmacology of clopidogrel including the mechanism of action, review the major clinical trials that have defined the current role of clopidogrel in coronary heart disease and percutaneous coronary intervention, and, finally, examine the concept of clopidogrel resistance and its potential clinical implications.