Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists for acute ischemic stroke

Although thrombolytic therapy is approved in several countries for treatmen t of ischemic stroke, only a small number of patients are eligible for trea tment. Additional agents that could restore or improve cerebral flow are ne eded. Reperfusion agents such as platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antago nists, alone or in combination with reduced doses of thrombolytic agents, h ave the potential for improving safety and efficacy compared with standard recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). In addition, GP IIb/IIIa antagonists may permit expansion beyond the current 3-hour window after sym ptom onset that is used for rt-PA. On the basis of experience in acute coro nary syndromes, parenteral GP IIb/IIIa antagonists may have potential appli cations in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and as adjunctive therapy to carotid angioplasty.