Pharmacotherapy in the modern interventional suite

Mastery of pharmacotherapies in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is essential to achieving successful angiographic and procedural success of cardiac interventions. With the increased antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapeutic armamentarium along with heightened patient and procedural complexity, invasive cardiologists should develop a robust understanding of these therapies to mitigate thrombosis hazards and balance the ischemic and bleeding risks associated with these procedures. Knowledge of anti-ischemic therapies, inotropes, and vasoactive medications, as well as anxiolytic and analgesic drugs, is also equally important in the interventional suite. We herein provide a comprehensive overview of the various medical treatments and the evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness to the practicing invasive cardiologist.