Use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants in post-myocardial infarction.

This article addresses the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents following acute myocardial infarction. Major trials are reviewed for both of these treatment modalities in the order in which they were published. Accompanying editorial comments highlight the key findings of the studies and places them in historical context. Current recommendations for treatment are summarized. Antithrombotic therapy used as an adjuvant to thrombolytic therapy is discussed elsewhere.