Pretreatment with antiplatelet agents in patients undergoing coronary revascularisation

The management of patients with coronary artery disease requiring percutaneous coronary revascularisation has undergone a significant transformation over the past several decades. With the increasing use of early invasive strategies, the role of pretreatment with oral antiplatelet agents has evolved. Additionally, the introduction of novel agents such as cangrelor has had a significant impact on the management of thrombotic risk. In this review, we summarise the current evidence on the role of pretreatment with antiplatelet agents across the spectrum of coronary artery disease, from non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction to stable coronary artery disease. We also highlight data on novel parenteral agents, both available and in development.