Sensitivity to Antiplatelet Agents in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes: Role of Desensitization Therapy

The importance of aspirin and other antiplatelet agents is well-established for several indica- tions, ranging from acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there is a significant proportion of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are unable to tolerate acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and other antiplatelet agents due to drug sensitivity. This poses a therapeutic dilemma for practitioners. One potential approach to cir- cumvent this problem is the use of desensitization therapy. By examining several case scenarios, this issue of Cardiology Rounds reviews the approaches to the patient with CAD and a preexist- ing sensitivity to antiplatelet agents, including the use of desensitization therapy for ASA and clopidogrel sensitivity.