Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) account for more than one million hospitalizations annually in the US. ACS occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque ruptures in a coronary artery, triggering the coagulation cascade, which results in the formation of a blood clot. The clot blocks the flow of blood to the heart muscle, depriving it of oxygen, which can result in unstable angina or heart attack.
“Improved antithrombotic therapies are needed for the treatment of ACS because high rates of heart attack and death occur in the first month after ACS despite intensive therapy with the current standard of care, which includes antithrombotics and early catheterization,” said Dr Robert Giugliano, investigator and associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Results of the study were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2005 in Dallas.