Utilization of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction in a tertiary referral medical center in a developing country

We analyze the patterns of utilization of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in a tertiary medical center in a developing country and we compare it to data from the national registry of myocardial infarction 4 (NRMI 4) in the USA. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 28% of patients. The significant multivariate predictors of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors utilization were Age < 70 years (p = 0.05), TIMI score ≥ 4 (p = 0.002), and the absence of congestive heart failure (p = 0.01) or prior infarction (p = 0.04). Our results show striking similarity to what has been reported by the NRMI 4 registry, in terms of the overall underutilization of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in NSTEMI patients, and particularly in elderly patients and women. These findings underscore the importance of initiating a worldwide campaign to educate physicians about the pivotal role of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the management of patients with NSTEMI.