Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists and coronary artery disease.

ABSTRACT

The importance of platelets in coronary artery disease has been better elucidated in the past 20 years with the continued understanding of their role in the development of the atherosclerotic lesion and acute coronary syndromes. The most recent therapeutic efforts have focused on blockade of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, which represents the final common pathway to platelet aggregation and arterial thrombus formation. This manuscript summarizes platelet function and pathophysiology, currently available glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and the important clinical trials with this new class of drugs.