Antiplateletterápia

Antiplateletterápia, also known as antiplatelet therapy, is a medical treatment that uses drugs to reduce platelet aggregation, a key step in blood clot formation. Platelets are small cell fragments in the blood that clump together to form clots when there is an injury, but their excessive aggregation can lead to dangerous blockages in blood vessels. Antiplatelet medications work by interfering with the processes that cause platelets to stick to each other.

The primary goal of antiplatelet therapy is to prevent or treat conditions caused by unwanted blood clots, such as heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. These conditions occur when blood flow to vital organs is obstructed by a clot. By inhibiting platelet aggregation, antiplatelet drugs help to keep blood flowing smoothly through arteries and veins.

Commonly prescribed antiplatelet medications include aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor. Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), irreversibly inhibits an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, which is essential for platelet activation. Other drugs, like clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor, are P2Y12 inhibitors that block a receptor on the platelet surface, preventing it from binding to fibrinogen and aggregating.

While effective, antiplatelet therapy carries a risk of bleeding. Because platelets are crucial for stopping bleeding, reducing their activity can make it harder for the body to form clots at sites of injury. Therefore, the decision to initiate or continue antiplatelet therapy involves a careful assessment of the patient's individual risk of clotting versus the risk of bleeding. This therapy is typically prescribed by healthcare professionals who monitor patients closely for adverse effects.