Antiplatelet medications: old and emerging therapies.

Antiplatelet medications have been proven to enhance outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. The ideal platelet inhibitor would be quick and reversible and would have universal response, an excellent safety profile, and proven benefit. Currently available antiplatelet medications have been demonstrated to have variable patient response. In light of this medication resistance, emerging therapies to inhibit platelet aggregation are under investigation. We review the currently available antiplatelet medications and the current state of these emerging therapies. Copyright 2010 Annals of Vascular Surgery Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.