Editorial

Atherothrombotic diseases and especially coronary and cerebrovascular diseases are the most important causes of death in industrialized countries. The use of platelet aggregation inhibitors in this context improves morbidity and mortality. The effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as an inhibitor of the cylooxygenase is well established as shown in numerous major trial. In recent years, the dual role of P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors in platelet aggregation by ADP has been firmly established. Thienopyridines act as inhibitors of the P2Y12 receptor with beneficial effects in atherothrombotic diseases, either as a stand alone therapy or in combination with aspirin. In this edition of "Drugs in interventional cardiology", the variety of indications for thienopyridines will be discussed. In the first article, Robert F. Storey will provide an overview on the biology and pharmacology of the platelet P2Y12 receptor [1]. Thereafter, potential problems associated with thieonopyridine treatment will be mentioned. Gurbel and co-workers discuss the phenomenon and clinical implications of clopidogrel resistance [2] before potential drug-drug interaction between thienopyridines and statins will be summarized by Neubauer and Mügge [3]. Our group from Lubeck and Aachen will discuss indications for thienopyridines in percutaneous coronary interventions [4] before Franke and Kühl will evaluate the role of antiplatelet agents in the management of patients receiving intracardiac closure devices [5]. Finally, Prof. Diener will provide an up-to-date review on primary and secondary stroke prevention using antiplatelet drugs [6]. I would like to thank all authors for their contribution. References [1] Storey RF. Biology and pharmacology of the platelet P2Y12 receptor. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(10): 1255- 1259. [2] Gurbel PA, Lau WC, Bliden KP, Tantry U. Clopidogrel Resistance: Implications for Coronary Stenting. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(10): 1261-1269. [3] Neubauer H, Mügge A.Thienopyridines and Statins: Assessing a Potential Drug-Drug Interaction. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(10): 1271-1280. [4] Radke PW, Hoffmann R, Zernecke A, Kaiser A, Schunkert H, Weber C. Thienopyridines in percutaneous coronary interventions: Standard procedures and high risk subsets. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(10): 1281- 1286. [5] Franke A, Kühl HP. The role of antiplatelet agents in the management of patients receiving intracardiac closure devices. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(10): 1287-1291. [6] Diener HC. Primary and Secondary Stroke Prevention with Antiplatelet Drugs. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(10): 1293-1297.