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Antiplatelet therapy has become a cornerstone in the management of many vascular diseases. With growing antiplatelet options, attention has focused on their comparative effectiveness in specific patient populations. Perhaps one of the least defined factors influencing efficacy of these agents is body mass and obesity. Evidence from preclinical models established that obesity promotes inflammation that in turn enhances platelet reactivity. Thus, adiposity has the potential to diminish or alter the therapeutic effect of antiplatelet therapy. Pharmacodynamic analyses suggest a potential need for dose adjustments of antiplatelet therapy in obese patients. Yet, obese patients paradoxically have better outcomes after acute coronary syndromes. In this review, we identify a critical need for clinical studies with outcome data to enable the development of recommendations for optimal antiplatelet regimens in obese individuals. Until such data exists, healthcare providers should be aware of the potential impact of obesity on the efficacy of anti-platelet therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 1 million people in the United States experience an acute coronary syndrome ( ACS) every year, and almost 600,000 undergo percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI) for treatment of cardiovascular disease. There is a large amount of evidence-based literature to guide appropriate management of these patients. There have been a number of advances in the treatment of these patients over the last several years. Due to the large amount of rapidly available literature concerning the care of patients with ACS or undergoing PCI, clinicians can often find it difficult to keep up with the information needed for optimizing care of these patients. Therefore, we provide the second update to the first compiled bibliography of key articles and guidelines relative to patients with ACS published in Pharmacotherapy in 2004. The initial update was published in Pharmacotherapy in 2007 and also included bibliographies concerning management of patients undergoing PCI. A number of guidelines and practice-changing literature have been published since the update in 2007. Specific areas included in this review are updated summaries of clinical practice guidelines and clinical trials of anticoagulants, antiplatelets, platelet aggregation testing, pharmacogenomics testing in patients taking clopidogrel, clopidogrel loading dose comparisons, clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitor drug interactions, the impact of bleeding in ACS, and statins. As with previous versions of this document, we hope that this compilation will serve as a resource for pharmacists, physicians, nurses, residents, and students responsible for the care of patients with coronary heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]