Oral antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes, clinical experience in an emergency hospital with percutaneous coronary intervention facilities

Antiplatelet is a first line medical therapy in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management. Although current antiplatelet therapy is highly effective in preventing atherothrombotic complications, a significant number of patients continue to experience ischemic events. Due to increasing research efforts this drug class continues to evolve as novel agents with increasingly antiplatelet actions are identified. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was the backbone of antiplatelet therapy in ACS for over a decade. The third generation P2Y12-receptor inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor have a faster acting, more potent and more predictable antiplatelet effect than clopidogrel which translates into improved clinical outcomes. The aim of the study was exploring the current patterns of oral antiplatelet drug administration and adherence to guideline recommendations in real world clinical practice in patients admitted for ACS in an Emergency County Hospital with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) facilities.