Platelet activation and thrombus formation play a central role in ischemic vascular disease.
Thrombin, an especially potent physiologic agonist mediating in vivo activation of platelets,
acts via a unique family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors called protease‐activated receptors
(PARs) with a broad tissue expression. This review focuses on current antiplatelet therapies
as well as innovative approaches to targeting PARs in patients with atherothrombotic
vascular disease.