ABSTRACT
Since its introduction in 1977, percutaneous coronary intervention has
become one of the most commonly performed therapeutic procedures
worldwide. Such widespread diffusion, however, would have not been
possible without a concomitant evolution of the pharmacotherapies
associated with this intervention. Antithrombotic agents are fundamental
throughout the management of patients undergoing coronary stent
implantation, starting from the procedure itself to the long-term
prevention of cardiovascular events. The last 40 years of interventional
cardiology have seen remarkable improvements in both drug therapies and
device technologies, which largely reflected a progressive
understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of coronary artery
disease, as well as procedure- and device-related adverse events. The
purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the important
milestones in antithrombotic pharmacology that have shaped clinical
practice of today while also providing insights into knowledge gaps and
future directions.