Beyond Heparin and Aspirin: New Treatments for Unstable Angina and Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction

The goals of therapy for unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) are to maintain myocardial perfusion by inhibiting platelet aggregation and fibrin deposition at sites of plaque rupture, thereby preventing ongoing or new myocardial ischemia and cardiac death. Although aspirin and heparin sodium are cornerstones in the management of unstable angina and non-Q-wave MI, both have significant limitations that have prompted the …