Which two medications are part of dual antiplatelet therapy for STEMI?

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a cornerstone of treatment for patients experiencing ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) to prevent further thrombotic events. The two primary medications commonly used in DAPT are clopidogrel and ticagrelor, both of which are antiplatelet agents. Clopidogrel, a thienopyridine, inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking the P2Y12 receptor. Ticagrelor, a cyclopentyl-triazolopyrimidine, serves a similar function but has a faster onset of action and greater antiplatelet effect, along with a reversible mechanism of action.

When administered together, these medications effectively reduce the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, including reinfarction and stent thrombosis, by enhancing the inhibition of platelet function. As a result, the combination of clopidogrel and ticagrelor is utilized in patients with STEMI, particularly those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Other choices, while they are important in the overall management of STEMI, do not fit the criteria for dual antiplatelet therapy. Aspirin, although essential for patients with STEMI, is not used in combination with