A pharmacological approach to the inhibition of platelet adhesion and platelet aggregation. Wright-Schulte Lecture.

A first level of pharmacological interference with platelet function is located at the site of the agonist-receptor interaction (receptors for collagen, adenosine diphosphate, serotonin, fibrinogen). A second level of interaction is to prevent the mobilization of intracellular calcium ions which can be obtained by inhibition of phosphodiesterase, activation of cAMP (e.g. with prostacyclin analogues), inhibition of thromboxane A2 formation or blocking of its receptors. Compounds preventing the platelet contractile process or platelet secretion could theoretically also prevent some platelet functions.