MS-2302

An 80-year-old man arrives at the emergency department complaining of sudden chest pain that spreads to his jaw and shoulder. His ECG reveals signs of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and he is promptly sent for primary coronary intervention, during which a stent is inserted into his left anterior descending artery. To manage his condition, he is prescribed dual antiplatelet therapy consisting of aspirin and ticagrelor. What is the correct explanation for how these drugs work?