ABSTRACT
Reperfusion therapy is the major treatment for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Both mechanical and pharmacological reperfusion therapy are associated with reduced mortality rates in STEMI. (1-3) Antiplatelet therapy is also a pivotal therapy in reducing the rates of death and vascular events in STEMI where platelet activation and aggregation (consequences of coronary plaque rupture) represent the very first step in the chain reaction leading to occlusive coronary thrombosis (4). Furthermore, both percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and fibrinolysis lead to increased platelet activation and aggregation by different mechanisms. Hence, antiplatelet therapy as an adjunct to reperfusion therapy is recommended based on high levels of evidence by all expert guidelines (5-10).
