21413_Oral Antiplatelet Therapies for Acute Coronary Syndromes: State of the Art Management

Dual oral antiplatelet therapy, with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, for the management of patients experiencing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has demonstrated significant improvements in the prevention of recurring major cardiovascular events versus aspirin alone. Clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor are three P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, with unique pharmacologic properties, used in the management of ACS, and all three have been studied in large cardiovascular outcome clinical trials. Both prasugrel and ticagrelor have been evaluated separately against clopidogrel, on a background of aspirin therapy, in clinical trials with distinct designs and outcomes. In addition, after a myocardial infarction, another oral antiplatelet agent, vorapaxar, has been shown to be effective in reducing thrombotic cardiovascular events. Interventional cardiologists need to accurately assess risk and make prudent decisions on choice of antiplatelet therapy. Therefore, in this program, chair Dr. Deepak Bhatt and faculty members Dr. Philippe Gabriel Steg, Dr. Robert Harrington, Dr. Marc Sabatine, Dr. Ajay Kirtane, Dr. Paul Gurbel, and Dr. Manesh Patel will provide attendees with state-of-the-art information on these agents, interpret clinical trial data, and debate and recommend best treatment strategies in challenging ACS cases.