heparin + dual antiplatelet therapy

heparin + dual antiplatelet therapy is a combination pharmacological regimen used as a standard-of-care medical therapy for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), particularly those caused by coronary plaque erosion. The regimen consists of heparin, an anticoagulant that potentiates antithrombin III to inhibit thrombin and factor Xa, and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). DAPT typically involves the administration of aspirin, which irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist (such as clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel). This multi-targeted approach aims to prevent both thrombin-mediated coagulation and platelet-mediated aggregation, thereby reducing the risk of recurrent ischemic events and stent thrombosis. In clinical research, such as the pilot study sponsored by the 3W-Research Collaboration Group, this regimen serves as the active comparator against interventional strategies like drug-coated balloons (DCB).

Other names

heparin + DAPTheparin and dual antiplatelet therapy