Summary

Inflammation is central to the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, the underlying cause of major cardiovascular disease. Platelets, in addition to their role in haemostasis, play a key role in both thrombus formation and inflammation following vascular injury, especially atherosclerotic lesions. An increasing body of evidence suggests that inhibition of platelet function can modulate inflammatory markers, particularly those associated with activated platelets, such as CD40 ligand, P-selectin, and C-reactive protein. The currently available antiplatelet agents aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, abciximab, and eptifibatide have shown varying effects on inflammatory markers. These effects seem to be mostly indirect, i.e. mediated primarily through reduced platelet activation that results in reduced inflammatory marker expression. However, there is some evidence that suggests direct effects (i.e. those independent of platelets) may also play a role in modulating inflammatory markers. Evidence linking inflammation and thrombosis supports the hypothesis that agents with both anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effects may reduce vascular inflammation and limit acute and long-term thrombotic events. An assessment of the involvement of inflammatory mediators in atherosclerosis may provide further insight into important predictive markers of cardiovascular outcomes that may also serve as potential therapeutic targets. This review examines the evidence for and potential clinical relevance of the effects of antiplatelet therapy on inflammatory markers.