Acute coronary syndromes

Antithrombotic treatment is one of the cornerstones of acute and long-term therapy of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). For this purpose antiplatelet as well as antithrombin agents are used. These drugs can reduce mortality and recurrent ischemic events but may increase bleeding complications. Therefore, simple and easy to use antithrombotic regimens are desirable especially in the prehospital phase to reduce complications associated with overdosing and underdosing. Aspirin is well established for all patients with ACS. In addition an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor blocker should be given in acute therapy and over 12 months after ACS. The value of thrombin inhibitors has been documented mainly for the acute phase. This article summarizes currently available data and recommendations for prehospital antithrombotic therapy in patients with ACS.