The use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with coronary artery disease

Platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, a new class of potent a ntiplatelet agents, have been used in the treatment of acute coronary syndr omes as well as in the prevention of complications after percutaneous coron ary interventions. Approximately 50,000 patients with coronary artery disea se have been enrolled in randomized studies of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibi tors. The purpose of this article is to review the pharmacology of glycopro tein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, the results of the clinical trials using these ag ents, and their current use in percutaneous coronary interventions and the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.