ABSTRACT
Because of the central role of thrombosis in the complications patients may encounter when they
present with acute coronary syndromes or undergo percutaneous coronary angioplasty, antith-
rombotic therapy has become a cornerstone of therapy for such patients. Both antiplatelet agents
and indirect thrombin inhibitors, in clinical trials, have effectively reduced the ischemic
complications of these disease processes. Despite these therapies, however, the morbidity and
mortality associated with these syndromes remains unacceptably high.
