Newer Antiplatelets

Many therapeutic drugs have been identified that possess clinically important antiplatelet activity. Platelet inhibition can be achieved in numerous ways (Fig. 1), including inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase, inhibition of ADP receptors or inhibition of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/ IIIa receptor. Pharmacological inhibition of platelet function can also be achieved by interference with the function of the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX receptor, synthetic peptides to the A1 Von Willebrand’s factor domain, recombinant Von Willebrand’s fragments covering the A1 domain, inhibition of the thromboxane synthase, blockade of endoperoxidethromboxane receptors, modulation of platelet adenyl or guanyl cyclase and peptides that bind to but do not activate the platelet-receptor domain that interacts with thrombin. This section focuses on new antiplatelet agents or new data with existing drugs which has clinical implications.