Parenteral antithrombotic therapy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of morbidity, mortality and disability worldwide. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accounts for 25-40% of AMI presentations. Arterial thrombosis due to atherosclerotic plaque rupture with formation of an occlusive thrombus is the main cause of STEMI. Platelets and coagulation factors are the two principal elements involved in this process. The main goal of STEMI treatment is the early reperfusion. Prompt primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) together with an appropriate antithrombotic therapy are the treatment of choice in this setting. In this chapter, we provide an overview of currently available parenteral antithrombotic therapies used in patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI.