European Society of Cardiology. Expert consensus document on the use of antiplatelet agents. The task force on the use of antiplatelet agents in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease of the European society of cardiology.

The role of aspirin and other platelet-active drugs in the treatment and prevention of atherothrombosis has been reviewed recently by the Sixth American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy (available online at www.chestnet.org). Moreover, updated information on the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet therapy is provided by the collaborative meta-analysis of 287 secondary prevention trials, prepared by the Antithrombotic Trialists’ (ATT) Collaboration (available online at www.bmj.com). The purpose of the present guidelines is to integrate a mechanistic understanding as to why some antiplatelet drugs work and some do not, with an evidence-based definition of categories of patients for whom the benefits of antiplatelet therapy clearly outweigh the risk of bleeding complications. Recommendations concerning the use of individual antiplatelet agents will also be provided and open issues discussed.