Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Blockade: Lessening the Risk of Coronary Interventions

Abstract

For the patient undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, the administration of a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker reduces the incidence of a periprocedural nonfatal myocardial infarction and the need for unplanned emergency stenting. In the diabetic patient undergoing intracoronary stenting, the use of a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker appears to decrease the need for subsequent target vessel revascularization. There is considerable evidence in support of the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors in all categories of patients--"high-risk" patients, "low-risk" patients, and those undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction--and for the full armamentarium of percutaneous procedures (angioplasty, directional atherectomy, rotational atherectomy, and intracoronary stenting).