Abstract

Cumulative scientific evidence gathered over the past ten years has confirmed the role of platelet GP IIb / IIIa inhibitors in reducing ischemic complications of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recently, mortality data available on more than 20,000 patients enrolled in randomized clinical trials suggest that GP IIb / IIIa blockade also improves short and long-term survival after PCI. Despite convincing arguments, GP IIb / IIIa inhibitors are still inconsistently administered in patients undergoing coronary intervention. The following review will discuss the scientific grounds and the principal controversies surrounding the use of these compounds in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Keywords: Coronary Intervention, IIIa inhibitors, GP IIb