Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with end-stage renal disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) are effective and safe as adjunctive therapy for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).


METHODS
MEDLINE (1966-June 2004), EMBASE (1980-June 2004), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-June 2004) were searched, in addition to a manual bibliographic search.


RESULTS
Even though GPIs have an established role as adjunctive therapy in PCI, little is known about their use in patients with ESRD. We found 3 reports describing experience with abciximab in this population. Based on the limited information from registries and a retrospective chart review, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the utility of GPIs in ESRD. The decision to use abciximab in this population must be made on an individual case basis.


CONCLUSIONS
Studies are needed to evaluate the benefit versus risk of GPI therapy in ESRD.
Villeneuve
Eric
E
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Sunderji
Rubina
R
D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex