Update: Use of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
METHODS
Searches were conducted of MEDLINE (1966 to 2006), EMBASE (1980 to April 2006), and the Cochrane's CENTRAL register (Issue 2, 2006), and hand-searched information from cardiology conferences, principal investigators of identified trials, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other experts in the field were used. There were no language restrictions.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trials enrolling patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes who initially received GPIIb/IIa inhibitors as part of the early medical management were eligible.


METHODS
Primary outcomes were 30-day and 6-month mortality and the subsequent development of myocardial infarction; the secondary endpoint was major hemorrhage, defined as intracranial bleeding or any bleeding with a decrease in hemoglobin of greater than 5 g/dL or a greater than 15% reduction in hematocrit level. Data were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with a fixed-effect model if minimal heterogeneity was identified; otherwise, a random-effects model was used. All analyses were presented as intention to treat.
Latulippe
Maude
M
University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Lang
Eddy S
ES