Antiplatelet therapy in prevention of cardio- and venous thromboembolic events

The contribution of platelets in the pathophysiology of low-shear thrombosis—specifically, in atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolic events (VTE)—remains less clear than for arterial thrombosis. AF itself appears to lead to platelet activation, offering a potential target for aspirin and other antiplatelet agents. Randomized trial results suggest a small benefit of aspirin over placebo, and of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus …