Use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with coronary artery disease
Subbarao, V.D.; Phillips, J.; Stouffer, G.A.
American Journal of the Medical Sciences 318(2): 107-114
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9629 PMID: 10452570 Document Number: 507085
GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are one of the most exciting pharmacological advances in the treatment of coronary artery disease to be developed this decade. They have proven benefit in the treatment of patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous interventions and in patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. In all of these patients, they should be used in conjunction with aspirin and heparin. Although bleeding complications are high in initial studies, they are much less common with increased clinical experience and careful attention to heparin dosing. Important questions that will be answered in the next several years include whether there are significant differences between the available agents and whether oral formulations will be safe and effective.