title: Current update on glycoprotein IIb-IIIa and direct thrombin inhibition in percutaneous coronary intervention for non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: balancing bleeding risk and antiplatelet efficacy.
abstract: Appropriate pharmacologic treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains a matter of controversy. Additionally, a substantial gap exists between recommended guidelines and current clinical practice. Questions remain regarding which antiplatelet/antithrombotic treatment strategies are appropriate for individual patients, based on their risk. We explore the role of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors and the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin in ACS patients, and consider the difficulties involved in reducing ischemic events while limiting bleeding risks. In patients with ACS who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, high levels of microembolization and myocardial necrosis are potential risk factors for adverse long-term outcomes. Intensive antiplatelet/antithrombotic regimens may substantially affect these factors. Determination of risk levels, with the goal of targeting aggressive antithrombotic and interventional therapies to patients at higher risk, will help physicians choose appropriate pharmacologic therapy for patients with ACS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kwa
authors.forename: Jason H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077542:Eptifibatide; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006629:Hirudins; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000991:Antithrombins; D017984:Enoxaparin; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006629:Hirudins; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006493:Heparin; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D000077542:Eptifibatide; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin; C074619:bivalirudin