Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade: Lessening the risk of coronary interventions

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).