The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved vorapaxar (Zontivity) to reduce the risk for myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, cardiovascular-related death and coronary revascularization among patients who have previously experienced MI or peripheral artery disease. Vorapaxar is the first in a new class protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist drugs and is designed to target thrombin-induced platelet activation.

A 2011 clinical trial showed vorapaxar, added to other anti-platelet agents (generally aspirin and clopidogrel), reduced the rate of a combined endpoint of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death and coronary revascularization when compared to placebo.

Keywords: Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, Thrombin, United States Food and Drug Administration, Lactones, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Pyridines, Ticlopidine, Platelet Activation, Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications

< Back to Listings