Safety and Efficacy of Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent and affects an ever-increasing proportion of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients with CKD have a higher risk of ACS and significantly higher mortality, and are also predisposed to increased bleeding complications. Antiplatelet and antithrombotic drugs form the bedrock of management of patients with ACS. Most randomized trials of these drugs exclude patients with CKD, and current guidelines for management of these patients are largely based on these trials. We aim to review the safety and efficacy of these drugs in patients with CKD presenting with ACS. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2011;58:2263-9) (C) 2011 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation