Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Integrin Blockade in Coronary Artery Disease: Current State of the Art.
Platelets have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndromes, and ischemic complications after percutaneous coronary intervention. Fibrinogen binding via platelet surface glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptors constitutes the "final pathway" in platelet aggregation leading to thrombus formation. The GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors, a new class of antiplatelet agents that have emerged in recent years, show great promise in reducing complications of coronary angioplasty and acute coronary syndromes. This review will examine the biology of platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptors, the various classes of GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, the results of the latest clinical trials, and their implications in current clinical practice.
Tan
HC
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Harrington
RA
Tcheng
JE