%0 Letter
%T Patient and Physician Perspectives on the Benefits and Risks of Antiplatelet Therapy for Acute Coronary Syndrome.
%A Cohen M
%A Jones C
%J Cardiol Ther
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun 21
%M 38907182
暂无%R 10.1007/s40119-024-00372-7
%X This article is co-authored by a patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who is receiving long-term antiplatelet therapy in the USA and a cardiologist who routinely treats patients with ACS. The patient describes his experience from diagnosis to the present day and discusses his concerns regarding treatment and management of the condition, including the balance between the benefits and risks of antiplatelet therapy. The patient also describes his work as an advocate for cardiac health. The physician perspective on treating and managing patients with ACS is provided by a cardiologist based in the USA who is and was not involved in this patient's care. The physician reviews the benefits and risks of antiplatelet therapies for the treatment of patients with ACS and discusses his own clinical experience of managing these patients, including how issues such as treatment adherence, as well as the potential inertia to prescribing certain medications that may be seen among physicians, could be overcome.<BR>Antiplatelet therapies are commonly prescribed to patients who have experienced events termed “acute coronary syndrome” (ACS), such as a heart attack, to prevent further cardiovascular events. However, these medicines come with potential risks, such as bleeding. This article provides perspectives from a patient and a cardiologist on managing ACS, and the benefits and risks of antiplatelet therapies. Platelet inhibitors, which aim to prevent blood clots from forming, are the standard treatment for ACS. Different types of platelet inhibitors are used, including treatments known as P2Y12 inhibitors as well as treatments referred to as platelet aggregation inhibitors. Clinical trials have tested different combinations and durations of antiplatelet therapies, and some trials have shown that changing to P2Y12 inhibitor treatment alone after receiving a combination of platelet inhibitors can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events without increasing the risk of bleeding. Treatment guidelines recommend at least 12 months of platelet inhibitors for patients with ACS; however, treatment decisions should be individualized based on the patient's risk profile. Despite the evidence supporting their benefits, some physicians remain reluctant to prescribe potent P2Y12 inhibitors, preferring older, less potent options. Treatment adherence is also challenging, and is influenced by factors such as bleeding, education level, and cost. Improved education about the benefits and risks of antiplatelet therapies may help to address these issues and improve outcomes for patients with ACS. The perspectives of both the patient and the physician contribute to an increased understanding of ACS management and the challenges faced by patients and health care providers.