Cangrelor, the first and currently only available intravenous P2Y12 receptor antagonist, has been approved and is now being used in patients with coronary artery disease requiring percutaneous coronary intervention. The rationale for cangrelor use is most robust in patients requiring an immediate, profound, and predictable level of P2Y12 inhibition - especially in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Herein we summarize the drug development program and reflect on practical considerations for clinicians on cangrelor use in the acute setting surrounding percutaneous coronary intervention, including selection of patients, concomitant administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and transition strategies from intravenous to oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists.
Keywords: Acute coronary syndromes; cangrelor; percutaneous coronary intervention.