OBJECTIVES: Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the main causes of death in Germany and other industrial countries. Different therapeutic approaches exist as well as several treatment options. How people who have suffered from an acute coronary syndrome, value aspects of their medical treatment is not very well analyzed until today. The objective of this empirical investigation was to evaluate patient’s preferences regarding different antiplatelet medication options following an acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: Primary method was a Discrete-Choice-Experiment that included 6 patient-relevant attributes. Furthermore an Analytic-Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to test the applicability of the method and to compare the results. The Discrete-Choice-Experiment (DCE) was conducted using a fractional factorial NGene-design with priors and the statistical data analysis used a random effect logit model. AHP was conducted using the eigenvalue method. RESULTS: The preference analysis of N=683 patients showed a clear dominance for the attribute "reduction of the risk of death" (DCE coef.: 0.803; AHP coef.: 0.402.). Rank 2 in AHP the "reduction of heart attack risk" (DCE coef: 0.464; AHP coef.: 0.272.) and in the DCE was "shortness of breath" (DCE coef.: 0.550; AHP coef.: 0.165.). The side effect of "bleeding" (DCE coef.: 0.400; AHP coef.: 0.117.) joined accordingly. The "frequency of administration" was less important in DCE and AHP (DCE coef: 0.025; AHP coef. 0,044.). CONCLUSIONS: The results of both methods generated an almost equal ranking of the included features. The highest value for patients within a treatment decision was the mortality reduction. The consideration of patient preferences in therapeutic decisions implies stronger patient focus and can at the same time be used for the development of effective therapies after acute coronary syndrome. The preference data generated can be used for healthcare decision makers and stakeholders to represent the patient's benefit at the same time.