Oral antiplatelet agents for the management of acute coronary syndromes: A review for nurses and allied healthcare professionals

Abstract

Purpose: We review the use of oral antiplatelet (OAP) therapies in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management for nurse practitioners (NPs), focusing on current guideline recommendations.

Data sources: Treatment guidelines and clinical articles from PubMed.

Conclusions: Guidelines recommend that dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor and aspirin be initiated for ACS management. The P2Y₁₂ inhibitor clopidogrel has established efficacy, but is associated with suboptimal and delayed platelet inhibition and variability in response. The newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor have demonstrated superior efficacy outcomes versus clopidogrel. Consequently, non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) guidelines now recommend that ticagrelor be used in preference to clopidogrel for patients treated with stents or managed medically. Because of their higher potency, prasugrel and ticagrelor are associated with increased bleeding rates versus clopidogrel, but with no increased risk of severe or life-threatening bleeding. Guidelines recommend dual antiplatelet therapy be continued ≥12 months in both medically managed and stented ACS patients, and in some cases beyond this, in absence of high bleeding risk. Updated guidelines assign preference to ticagrelor over clopidogrel for maintenance therapy in patients with NSTE-ACS and ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Implications for practice: Enhanced NP understanding of OAP agents and current guidelines could contribute to improved ACS patient management.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; acute coronary syndrome; nurse practitioners; pharmacologic action.