OpenAnesthesia and the APSF: Achieving Safe and Quality Anesthesia Care with Education Innovation

Aspirin permanently inactivates the cyclooxygenase enzyme to reduce thromboxane A2-induced activation of platelets. Clopidogrel is one of the thienopyridines which functions via irreversibly inhibiting ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Other medications in this class include prasugrel, ticlopidine (both irreversible) and cangrelor and ticagrelor (both reversible). Dipyridamole is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor which achieves its antiplatelet effect through increased cyclic AMP which blocks the uptake of adenosine, thus reducing the amount of adenosine at the platelet vascular interface or via direct stimulation of prostacyclin release from the endothelium. Tirofiban is in the class of antiplatelet agents which block platelet activation via glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition.