Rapid P2Y12 inhibition: still an unmet medical need.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is still a serious condition associated with decreased quality of life, increased healthcare expenditures, and premature death. The prevalence of ACS is expected to increase with aging of the population and with the epidemics of obesity and diabetes. The shortand long-term mortality after an ACS has been dramatically reduced by the development of revascularization techniques and new antithrombotic agents. The past decade has seen many trials evaluating new oral and parenteral antiplatelet agents with greater potency than aspirin and clopidogrel. Several antiplatelet agents have been developed, with the ultimate goal to obtain optimal antiplatelet therapy for both the acute and the chronic phases of disease.