Antiplättlertherapie

Antiplättchentherapie, also known as antiplatelet therapy, refers to treatments that reduce the activity of platelets in the blood. Platelets are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting. While essential for stopping bleeding, their excessive activity can lead to the formation of dangerous blood clots within arteries. These clots can obstruct blood flow, causing serious medical conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

The primary goal of antiplatelet therapy is to prevent these pathological clot formations. Medications used in this therapy work by inhibiting the aggregation or clumping of platelets. Common classes of antiplatelet drugs include aspirin, which inhibits the cyclooxygenase enzyme involved in platelet activation, and P2Y12 inhibitors, such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor, which block the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing their activation by adenosine diphosphate.

Antiplatelet therapy is frequently prescribed for individuals with established cardiovascular disease, such as those who have experienced a heart attack or stroke, or who have undergone procedures like coronary angioplasty with stent placement. It is also used in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events due to conditions like peripheral artery disease or certain types of atrial fibrillation. The duration and specific choice of antiplatelet medication depend on the individual patient's risk factors, clinical condition, and the presence of other medical issues. While effective in preventing thrombotic events, antiplatelet therapy carries an increased risk of bleeding, which must be carefully managed by healthcare professionals.