Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists in percutaneous coronary revascularization,

Coronary dissections and intracoronary thrombosis are the most important determinants of acute and subacute complications occurring during coronary interventions. Stents have proved efficacious to repair coronary dissections. The formation of intracoronary thrombi during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the other main pathogenic mechanism for acute complications of PCI, has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of long-term ischemic outcomes. To reduce intracoronary thrombosis, all PCIs have been historically performed during intense short-term anticoagulation with the combination of unfractionated heparin plus aspirin. Compelling data on the central role of platelets in arterial thrombosis have made apparent the need for more potent antiplatelet agents for the treatment of patients undergoing PCI. (Am Heart J 1999;138:S16-S23)