Treatment of lesions with thrombus: beyond stents and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
In the presence of an intracoronary thrombus, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) will frequently lead to complications. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade as adjunct to PCI is very effective in patients with non-occlusive clots and biochemical evidence of platelet micro-embolization. Thrombotically-occluded vessels still remain a major clinical problem. This provides a rationale for thrombus debulking prior to PCI. A powerful antiplatelet agent used in combination with a thrombus debulking strategy and stenting of the underlying ruptured plaque offers the potential for further enhancement of PCI. Protection against embolization could potentially be optimized with the use of anti-embolization devices and covered stents.
Rosenschein
U
U
The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. urosenschein@angiosonics.co.il
Kuntz
R
R
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015607:Stents; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000379:methods*
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors